Jonathan Brownson, RPG Group Managing Director said, “On behalf of the RPG Group Board, I am very pleased to announce that Ben Brownson has accepted our invitation to become a shareholder in the RPG Group and join the RPG Group Board.”

Ben will be alongside his father Jonathan Brownson as an RPG Group Board Director and will be the fifth generation of the Brownson family to be involved with RPG.

Ben, who joined RPG in Spring 2022, having trained and worked at Deloitte, will continue his dual role working on client matters as well as operations in his new capacity as Group Board Director and Head of Operations.  Over the past two years, Ben has continued to develop his skills in complex accounting and transactional matters whilst spearheading the firm’s technological transformation.  

“Ben has had a significant impact on the firm’s future growth and development by taking control of our internal operations and in particular organising the re-building of our IT infrastructure.  His promotion underlines our commitment to the growth and further development of the RPG Group,” explained Jonathan Brownson.

Ben said, “I am delighted and very grateful to have been given this opportunity.  I am passionate about the technological transformation that the Group Board have entrusted me with and, working closely with our IT partners, I can see that the outcomes will be game changing for our people as well as our clients. 

“Client work is still very important to me and nothing gives me more pleasure than a happy client, so this is the ideal position for me.”

The RPG Group comprises RPG Chartered Accountants, RPG Chartered Financial Planning, RPG Business Recovery and RPG Payroll Services.  RPG’s team numbers are currently 95 at their offices in Manchester and St Asaph with more people planned to join the firm in the coming weeks.  Ben’s promotion and the ongoing recruitment demonstrate the firm’s ambitions and commitment to growth.

These promotions reflect Gravita’s continued growth right across the business and demonstrate the commitment of the firm to nurture and recognise talent internally.

The following four directors have been promoted to partner:

• Kate Greenhough is a Corporate Tax specialist who becomes Partner in Tax
• Nicola Moone becomes Partner in Outsourcing
• Elliott Pearl has moved up to Partner in Accounts
• Mark Brown becomes Audit Partner

Caroline Plumb, CEO at Gravita said: “I’m delighted to welcome our four new partners, who have collectively been with us for over 45 years. These promotions all come from within the Gravita team and reflect our strength across tax, audit, accounting and financial outsourcing. We have ambitious growth plans and investing in colleagues at all levels will be key to our long-term success as we continue to scale. This is a genuinely important moment for Gravita as we look to the future with excitement and confidence.”

To learn more about Gravita and the services they provide, click here.

Rowleys, a leading independent firm of accountants based in Leicester, joins as the 17th member of DFK UKI, a National Group within the DFK International global alliance. This step further strengthens DFK UKI's regional presence and highlights its commitment to promoting collaboration among high-quality firms.

As the newest member, Rowleys will gain access to the international resources and opportunities facilitated by DFK International.

With a history dating back to 1880, Rowleys has established itself as one of the leading independent firms of accountants in Leicester and the East Midlands. Being among the first to register with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), they have demonstrated a commitment to professional standards and a dedication to serving as trusted advisors for their clients.

Rowleys’ focus is primarily on privately held businesses and individuals, however, over the past twenty years, the firm has strategically expanded its portfolio, placing additional emphasis on regulatory work, particularly in audit services, and the development of key sectors including Charities, Pension Fund Audits, and Medical Practices. To support their growth, in recent years, they have recruited individuals with specialist expertise, creating a balance within the workforce between long-standing members who have internalised Rowleys’ ethos over time, and new additions, who bring fresh perspectives.

Rowleys offers a comprehensive suite of services including audit, accounting and outsourcing, payroll, tax, wills, probate, corporate finance, and business valuations, catering to a diverse range of sectors such as pensions, family business, small business start-ups, mid-market SMEs, medical, charities, and not-for-profit organisations.

Commenting on the announcement, Tom Copson, Managing Partner at Rowleys, said:

"We are dedicated to investing in our growth and building upon our capabilities to better serve our clients. This opportunity will not only benefit those with existing international connections but will also aid us in supporting those who are looking to expand into overseas markets. We have some fantastic expertise and joining DFK presents an exciting opportunity for us to utilise their global footprint for our continued growth.

Both the team at DFK and also the other firms we have met, whom we now look forward to collaborating with, have been extremely impressive – they have similar core values to those we possess at Rowleys and there is a genuine support network that exists between the UKI firms which we feel proud to now be involved in.”

Mark Ashfield, Chairman of DFK UKI, commented:

"I am delighted to see our National Group further expanding with the addition of more high-quality firms. Our focus is on creating an environment where members integrate seamlessly with one another, support each other and overcome challenges together, as a collective.

Rowleys is another fantastic example of a like-minded firm that shares our commitment to excellence and we are excited to have them on board."

About Rowleys

Rowleys is an independent firm of Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors based in Leicester, with 4 partners and 62 members of staff. Rowleys provides audit, accounting, advisory and tax services and has specialist sector teams in medical, pensions, charities and not for profit and SMEs and family businesses.

About DFK International

The DFK International Association is a global alliance of accounting firms and their expert teams, working closely together across 465 cities in 90 countries. Each of their member firms, independently owned and managed, meets the DFK standard of excellence.

DFK is among the most trusted and tightly woven organisations for accounting firms worldwide. Members share an extensive and diverse base of international expertise, equipping them to deliver client-focused solutions across multiple jurisdictions.

An embedded culture of cohesion and trust also serves as the foundation for their managing partners' exclusive executive forums, professional special interest groups, and industry-leading development programmes for our firms’ emerging leaders.

This is DFK. United Globally.