Growth driving expansion of leadership team at PwC in the Channel Islands

Thursday 09 July 2015

PwC has further strengthened its leadership team with a number of promotions aimed at meeting ongoing growth opportunities in the Channel Islands.

Newly-admitted Partner, Mike Byrne, and recently appointed Directors, Chris Van Den Berg and Alex Burne, will play key roles in facilitating the sustained growth PwC continues to experience in the local market.

Jersey-based Mike Byrne, who has been with the firm for over 15 years, leads the Asset Management industry for PwC in the Channel Islands, with a personal focus on private equity and hedge funds. The scope of Mike’s international work and experience of working in Europe and Asia, coupled with his ability to foster dynamic, collaborative relationships means he is perfectly placed to spearhead the firm as local demand for these services in Jersey and Guernsey continues to increase.

Also based in Jersey, Chris Van Den Berg joined PwC in 2008 after relocating from South Africa. He has built up a wealth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of the firm’s services, with a particular focus on the advisory and fiduciary areas of the business. Chris has considerable experience in providing solutions to clients with AML issues and regularly leads projects centred on helping global clients navigate complex regulatory matters, as well as conducting KYC country reviews on their behalf. Capitalising on his vast fiduciary experience, Chris will be central to the development of PwC’s fiduciary client base, supporting clients in their growth strategy as they continue to spread their international footprint.

Based in Guernsey, Alex Burne has almost 15 years’ experience of financial service assurance projects, predominantly within the asset management sector, having qualified with PwC in 2002.

In 2010, Alex relocated to PwC Sydney for three years, where he gained valuable global client leadership experience across three different sectors - Banking & Capital Markets, Real Estate and Alternative Asset Management - before returning to PwC in Guernsey in 2013, where he now principally specialises in Listed Funds and Private Equity. Alex is also the primary contact in Guernsey for the development of PwC’s NED program, whilst internally, he has responsibility for ensuring the firm leads the way in the areas of audit methodology and technology.

Complementing these appointments, PwC recently welcomed new Head of Tax for the Channel Islands, Justin Woodhouse, on board. A Partner with the global firm since 1990, Justin’s unique set of skills have already proven instrumental in driving high levels of engagement throughout the Channel Islands at a time of so much change and interest in the international tax scene.

Commenting on this enhancement of PwC CI’s leadership team, Senior Partner, Brendan McMahon said: "These appointments are reflective of the robust growth we are experiencing in the local market, as well as our commitment to having the best team of specialists available to help our clients be successful, stay ahead and add value to their businesses. Mike, Justin, Alex and Chris will be instrumental in broadening our business offering, ensuring we are geared up and fully equipped to continue providing the highest quality audit, advisory and tax support to our clients, whose demand for our services continue to increase across the Channel Islands and beyond.”