Armstrong Watson makes key appointment in North East with new Audit and Assurance Partner

Armstrong Watson is delighted to announce the appointment of Audit and Assurance Partner Michael Morris in Newcastle.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Michael has a wealth of experience. He joins Armstrong Watson after 13 years with Deloitte, where he led the Entrepreneurial Business Team for five years, and 14 years as Audit Partner at UNW.

He joins the accountants, business and financial advisory firm during a period of continued growth in the North East. In the last 12 months alone, Armstrong Watson has acquired Newcastle-based accountancy firm Joseph Miller, moved into the city’s state-of-the-art smart office, One Strawberry Lane, and made several senior appointments, including Corporate Finance Partner David Wilson and Tax Director Hayley Deeming.

Michael has worked with a vast range of businesses in the North East and Cumbria, including family and owner-managed businesses, PE-backed businesses, subsidiaries of overseas-owned groups, and entrepreneurial businesses across most sectors. He has considerable experience dealing with not only the needs and requirements of the business, but also the business owners.

Michael said: “I am really looking forward to bringing my experience and market knowledge to Armstrong Watson. The changes in the North East marketplace within the profession in the last few years mean there is a significant opportunity for Armstrong Watson to really stamp its presence in the city and build on the traction gained in the last 12 months. I look forward to building on the existing platform and contributing to the firm's growth with a continued focus of delivering exceptional service to our clients.  

“Throughout my career, I have focused not only on meeting the needs and requirements of the businesses I work with, but also on understanding and supporting the business owners and individuals themselves. This client-centric approach has been the cornerstone of my work.

“I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career and I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. In particular, in working with the other Newcastle Partners, I am confident of firmly putting Armstrong Watson on the map in Newcastle.”

Paul Dickson, Managing Partner and CEO, said: “We are delighted to have Michael join us at Armstrong Watson. I have no doubt that his profile and reputation in the market will strengthen our audit and assurance offering and contribute to our growth, and that the level of professionalism and vast experience he brings with him will really deliver for our clients.

“We now have a full-service proposition in Newcastle, with strong accounting, audit, corporate finance, tax and payroll teams. This gives us an incredibly robust foundation to build on our ambitions to grow further in the North East as we continue to aim to be recognized as the go-to firm for family and owner-managed businesses across the North.”

Joanna Gray, Head of Audit & Assurance, said: “Michael is a fantastic addition to our team. Not only does Michael have a wealth of experience with a broad range of businesses, he has a passion for his clients, exceptional levels of customer service and he’s a real team player. These are all characteristics that we value highly at Armstrong Waston.”