Audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG Isle of Man is pleased to announce the promotion of Simon Nicholas to Partner.   The advancement is part of an orderly succession from Neil Duggan, who has announced his retirement this week.

Simon has been an Associate Director within KPMG Isle of Man’s Audit Division since 2010.  He has over eleven years experience of providing audit and advisory services to the firm’s financial services clients, specialising in the insurance and funds sectors. Prior to moving to the Island, Simon worked with KPMG Bermuda for seven years, and before that he was with Mazars in London.  Simon is an active participant in the Isle of Man Captive Association, serving on the Executive Committee and on the Marketing & Strategy Sub-Committee.  Simon also has significant investment and derivative experience, including private equity and alternative investments.  Simon’s advisory credentials include risk and compliance, financial management and transaction services, including London and SEC mergers and acquisitions, public company due diligence and public / private offering documents.

Simon will be taking on the Partner position from 1st October 2012, when it is vacated by the current Director of Audit and Advisory, Neil Duggan, who announced his retirement this week.  Neil has been a partner at KPMG since 1997 and in that time has been instrumental in providing a cutting edge service for the firm’s life insurance, banking and funds clients.  Neil has chosen to retire from his full time role for personal reasons, but will continue to work with KPMG as part of their Client Service Review programme.  This, along with considerable notice of his intention to retire, will help to make the succession process seamless for both clients and staff.

Managing Director of KPMG Isle of Man, David McGarry, has expressed heartfelt thanks for Neil’s service: “I know I speak for all of our Partners and staff when I say we will be sad to see Neil go.  We do, however, respect the personal factors which have led to this decision and know that this won’t be the last we see of him.  Neil will still be around the office after September and we look forward to working with him in his new capacity.  I would like to thank him for everything he has done for the firm and wish him all the best for his retirement.”

Mr McGarry also commented on Simon’s appointment: “Having joined us two years ago, Simon has made a major contribution within our audit division, sharing his extensive specialist knowledge with our clients. If anybody is suited to fill Neil’s shoes it is Simon and I look forward to the contribution he will make to the firm going forward with great expectations.”