Steve Preston joins Saffery as an audit partner

Steve Preston has joined Saffery as an audit partner, based in Leeds.

Steve joins from Armstrong Watson, where he headed up the firm’s Manchester office, and prior to that he worked at BDO in Leeds for 15 years.

Throughout his career Steve has worked with all types of companies, including AIM and fully listed businesses, as well as owner-managed firms and private equity groups, operating across all sectors.

He’s highly experienced in working with large, complex and international group structures across a variety of industries including manufacturing, hospitality, automotive, technology and retail, in accordance with both International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP).

He has also worked extensively in the real estate sector, providing audit services to property investment companies, housing developers, construction firms and serviced office providers. This work often includes auditing complex property valuations.

Steve said: “Joining Saffery in Leeds is an opportunity to become part of a longstanding and ambitious firm, with a very well-respected and successful business advisory team. My skills and technical knowledge are a great fit for Saffery’s client base, and I’m looking forward to working with an outstanding group of people to deliver tangible benefits to our clients.”

Sally Appleton, partner and head of the Leeds office at Saffery, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Steve to Saffery. He is a highly regarded audit partner with an impressive track record for forging strong client relationships and is firmly committed to providing exceptional client service.

“Steve will be joining a 40-strong audit division here in Leeds that’s enjoyed a busy and successful 12 months and has developed a solid reputation across the region. Together our business advisors, across audit, tax and accounts, deliver solutions that increase our clients’ profitability and efficiency and bring them closer to achieving their objectives. There’s no doubt Steve will be a great addition to our wider team.”

Saffery relocated its Yorkshire office to Wellington Place, in Leeds city centre, in 2024. The office now employs a team of over 70 people, including six experienced partners leading on every client relationship.

Established services that Saffery offers from its Leeds office include audit and accounting, corporate tax, personal tax, VAT and business advisory. Saffery also has dedicated sector experts spanning owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs, private wealth and family trusts, agricultural and rural businesses, and charities and not-for-profit organisations.