EY has announced the appointment of Adrian Roberts as its new Midlands managing partner and markets leader.
Adrian takes over from Simon O’Neill who has been in the role since 2017 and has recently taken on a new role as the EY deputy assurance service line leader.
Adrian joined EY as a graduate from Birmingham University in 1997 and was admitted to the partnership in 2009.
He has held various leadership positions at the firm, including head of Audit Quality for the UK&I and partner sponsor for EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year programme in the Midlands. He also has broad international experience, gained from both a secondment in Seattle in the US and through his audit partner roles on global accounts. Adrian has deep experience of working with private and mid-market companies across a range of industries.
He said “I’m incredibly proud to have been appointed to this role to lead our business in the Midlands. We have exceptional talent across the region, with over 1,200 colleagues and 55 partners based in our Birmingham office.
"With the help of this team, I’m confident that we will continue to grow the business, create fulfilling careers for our people and provide an exceptional service to our clients.
“I’m also looking forward to the move to our new office in 2026 at Three Chamberlain Square, which is part of the exciting Paradise Birmingham development. This is testament to our continued investment in the region and will place EY at the heart of the Midlands business community for years to come.
“Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Simon for his leadership over the past eight years, during a period which has seen EY achieve significant growth and make a positive contribution across the region.”
Earlier this year, EY announced it had agreed heads of terms to relocate to a new office at Three Chamberlain Square, which is part of the Paradise Birmingham development. The office move is scheduled for 2026 and will see EY move from One Colmore Square, where it has been based for the last 20 years.
EY’s new office space is located on the top three floors of Three Chamberlain Square, occupying 70,000 sq ft, with the potential to expand further to support EY’s future growth.
Simon O’Neill said: “As an EY ‘lifer’, Adrian brings a remarkable blend of expertise, dedication, and vision to the role of Midlands managing partner. Under Adrian’s leadership, I have no doubt that our Midlands’ practice will continue to go from strength to strength.”
