EY has named Anna Anthony as its new UK and Ireland regional managing partner, making her the first woman to permanently lead a 'big four' accounting firm in the UK.

Anthony will take up the role on 1 January 2025, replacing outgoing boss Hywel Ball.

Anthony, 47, has been with EY for over 20 years, joining in 2004 after training at PwC. She became a partner in 2008 and has led the firm's UK financial services division since 2021. In her current role, she oversees £1 billion in annual revenues and about 5,000 staff.

The Cambridge graduate was chosen after an internal selection process that included "soundings" from around 200 of EY's 930 UK equity partners. She beat out two other shortlisted candidates for the top job.

"I am incredibly proud to be taking on this role and to have the opportunity to lead the firm that I joined more than 20 years ago," Anthony said. "Leading a business of our size, scale and influence is a privilege and an honour."

Ball, who has led EY UK since 2020, praised Anthony as "an exceptional leader" and expressed confidence in her ability to drive the firm forward. He will continue as UK chair until a successor is appointed early next year, with the roles being split in line with updated regulatory guidance.

Anthony takes the helm at a challenging time for EY and its rivals. The firm has yet to report its latest UK financial results, but competitors PwC and Deloitte have seen partner profits decline amid slowing revenue growth. EY has implemented cost-cutting measures, including smaller staff pay rises and partner cuts in its tax division.

The appointment makes Anthony one of the most influential figures in EY's global network, which reported revenues of $49.4 billion in the year to June 2023. As head of EY's second-largest operation after the US, she will play a key role in shaping strategy under new global chair Janet Truncale.

Anthony's elevation comes after EY's high-profile attempt to split its audit and consulting businesses collapsed last year. She had previously told partners she was "disappointed and embarrassed" by the failed deal as she announced a major cost-cutting programme.

With Anthony's appointment, EY becomes the first of the 'big four' firms to permanently install a woman as UK leader, marking a significant milestone in the traditionally male-dominated accounting industry.

---