Ernst & Young announce all-Ireland integration

The partners of Ernst & Young in Ireland have announced the formation of an all-Ireland practice with effect from July 1, 2008.

Managing partner of Ernst & Young in Ireland, Paul Smith, will become the leader of the new business while Mike McKerr, managing partner of the Belfast office will become markets leader.

The Irish partners voted unanimously for the change, which from July 1 will see over 1,200 people including 50 partners working together in six offices across the island, based in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Belfast.

The firm’s wider integration across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa means that Ernst & Young’s Irish clients will be offered a wider range of services in assurance and advisory, tax and transaction services.

Mr Smith says: "This is a major step change for Ernst & Young throughout Ireland and for our new EMEIA firm.

"We will be operating as a seamless, consistent business, offering our clients a more globally integrated approach that reflects the way they themselves do business. Increasingly business and capital act without borders and entrepreneurs of whatever size think with a global mindset."