Paul Smith, the Managing Partner of Ernst & Young in the Republic of Ireland will become the leader of the new business whilst Mike McKerr, Managing Partner of our Belfast office will become Markets Leader.

The Irish partners voted unanimously for the change, which from 1st July will see over 1,200 people including 50 partners working together in 6 offices across the island, based in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Belfast. The firm’s wider EMEIA integration across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa means that Ernst & Young’s Irish clients will be offered a more comprehensive range of services across Assurance and Advisory, Tax and Transaction Services.

Paul Smith, Managing Partner for Ernst & Young in Ireland says: “This is a major step change for Ernst & Young throughout Ireland and for our new EMEIA firm. We will be operating as a seamless, consistent business, offering our clients a more globally integrated approach that reflects the way they themselves do business. Increasingly business and capital act without borders and entrepreneurs of whatever size think with a global mindset.”

Mike McKerr, Markets Leader for Ernst & Young in Ireland adds: “The recurring theme from our people, who are the partners of the future, is that this is a 'no-brainer' which offers them a career within an organisation that promises diversity, mobility and opportunity. Similarly our clients wherever they work around the world expect consistency and quality. We at Ernst & Young will be ideally placed to create competitive advantage and exceed these expectations.”