Corporate Finance Manager/Associate Director

FRP opens Exeter office with senior restructuring appointment. The new office will support FRP's restructuring advisory work across Devon and the wider South West Quick Poll What is your main specialism? One click - no sign-up All data is anonymised. Polling helps Accountancy Group better understand the Accountancy Today audience and tailor its editorial. Specialist business advisory firm FRP has opened an office in Exeter and appointed Luke Venner as restructuring advisory director to lead the new location. Venner joins FRP after more than 20 years at a South West-based accountancy firm, where he rose from trainee to partner in 2023. A licensed insolvency practitioner and FCCA-qualified accountant, Venner has advised lenders, company directors and shareholders on businesses facing financial pressure. He has also supported solvent companies considering their strategic options. In his new role, Venner will lead the establishment of FRP's Exeter office and develop its restructuring advisory practice across Devon and the wider South West. Based in Exeter city centre, the new office will complement FRP's existing operations across the South of England, including Bristol, Southampton, Bournemouth and Brighton. Meanwhile, Venner will work with colleagues across FRP's national network to provide businesses in the region with access to its corporate finance, debt advisory, forensic services, real estate advisory and financial advisory teams. The firm now has more than 950 employees, including 108 partners and operates from 31 locations across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Cyprus and the Isle of Man. Venner: "Exeter has a vibrant and varied business community and I have spent my career working with companies and advisers across the city and the wider South West. Opening an office here gives FRP the opportunity to build on those relationships while bringing the depth of expertise available across the firm closer to local clients. "Businesses across all sectors continue to manage pressure on costs and funding, and clear advice at the right time can help management teams choose a course of action and move early enough to protect value. I look forward to working with colleagues across FRP to support Exeter's businesses when the decisions they face matter most." Geoff Rowley, chief executive of FRP, added: "Luke's appointment is an important step in FRP's continued growth and gives Accountancy Group a strong foundation from which to build in Exeter. He has the experience and leadership to develop its presence in the city and connect it effectively with its wider network. "The new office reflects our ongoing approach to growth of investing in markets where we see a clear opportunity and have the right people to build for the long term. Exeter fits that approach well, and its addition will further strengthen our national proposition." Published: 2h ago

Stephen Skeels joins FRP as director in financial advisory team. 10 September 2026 Consultancy.uk Financial services sector valuation specialist Stephen Skeels has arrived at the financial advisory team of FRP Advisory. Based in London, he will serve clients as a consultant director. Skeels commented, "FRP Advisory is a growing organisation with a nationwide office network and, while financial services has traditionally been a London-centric sector, there are established and growing regional strengths in places including Leeds and Manchester. So, I'll be getting out and talking to people around the country, as well as in the capital." According to Skeels, the valuation world is going through "a lot of change at the moment", something he is "excited to help FRP track its way through" - and help to "deliver a quality service to clients". In FRP's financial services valuation practice, he will advise clients on transactions and contentious matters where an independent opinion is required. With close to 40 years' experience, Skeels joins FRP from Forvis Mazars where he spent almost two decades, most recently as global head of valuations. Throughout his career, Skeels' work centred on mid-market corporates and public companies, specialising in regulated valuation matters including those arising under the Takeover Code and listing rules as well as acting as an expert witness in contentious matters. This has seen Skeers also advise on privatisations, capital raisings, public takeovers and private company M&A, with significant experience of cross-border mandates. He has particularly focused on the financial services sector. Jim Davies, partner in the FRP financial advisory team, added, "Demand for valuations remains robust, both for live transactions and in contentious situations where a client needs an opinion that will stand up to scrutiny. Stephen has spent his career doing precisely that work at the complex end of the market and he brings with him the regulated experience and the relationships to help us grow the financial services side of the practice... Stephen's appointment reflects our ongoing drive to invest in senior talent to grow our specialist capabilities and serves to and strengthen our position in this important market. I look forward to working alongside Stephen, who adds outstanding skills and knowledge to our growing valuation offering." With more than 850 employees, FRP Advisory is one of the UK's largest independent business advisory firms. Alongside insolvency and restructuring services, the firm also supports clients with corporate finance, forensic services, financial advisory and debt advisory.

FRP Corporate Finance appoints Mark Stoddart as partner. New partner to lead travel, leisure and hospitality sector advisory activity from london office Quick Poll What is your main specialism? One click - no sign-up All data is anonymised. Polling helps Accountancy Group better understand the Accountancy Today audience and tailor its editorial. FRP Corporate Finance has appointed Mark Stoddart as a partner to lead its M&A activity across the travel, leisure and hospitality sectors. Based in London, Stoddart will work alongside partner Victoria Kisseleva to expand the firm's consumer sector operations across its 31 regional UK offices. He joins the firm with nearly 20 years' experience in corporate finance, having previously worked as a director supporting travel and leisure clients at a leading advisory firm. During his career, he advised on high-profile transactions in the sector, including the recent sale of golf travel operator Golfbreaks to Sports Tours International. In his new role, Stoddart will collaborate with internal teams spanning corporate restructuring, forensic services, financial advisory, real estate advisory and debt advisory. Stoddart said: "I am delighted to be joining FRP to broaden the firm's consumer expertise. The travel, hospitality and leisure sectors continue to be impacted by broader economic and geopolitical events but remain resilient, underpinned by an enduring demand from consumers for quality travel and leisure experiences. This creates opportunity but also a complex deal-doing environment and having the right mix of sector expertise, service capability and regional network is more important than ever. "What excites me about FRP is the chance to join a fast-growing firm that already has this in abundance. I'm looking forward to meeting and working with my new colleagues from around the country, and across FRP's different teams, to continue developing the strong consumer advisory service it offers to businesses." Matthew Flower, partner at FRP Corporate Finance, added: "Mark brings with him a wealth of experience supporting clients across the travel, leisure and hospitality industries, making him a welcome addition to its team in London as Accountancy Group continue to strengthen its support for consumer businesses. "Throughout his career he's achieved standout results for clients operating within this space, including on several high-profile transactions. This expertise will be invaluable for both our teams and our clients, with Mark's appointment reflecting our commitment to investing in senior talent and continuing to develop our capabilities to support firms in the lower-mid market." Published: 5h ago