Queen’s graduate Bridget Walsh appointed EY Global Leader to spearhead growth initiative.
Consulting giant EY has revealed it plans to invest $1bn over the next four years to expand its private equity capability and has appointed Bridget Walsh as its new global Private Equity leader.
The private equity (PE) sector today plays an increasingly active role in the global economy. PE firms currently manage more than US$5trn in capital and own more than 20,000 businesses across the globe that are estimated to employ approximately 25m people.
“EY is exceptionally well positioned to deploy this significant new investment as the business continues to grow and further capitalise on an existing market leading global platform”
That footprint continues to grow – last year, PE deal activity exceeded US$1trn for the first time ever, and assets under management are expected to rise at a rate of roughly 15% over the next several years, as existing investors increase their allocations to PE, and new investors like family offices, high net worth individuals, and others invest in the asset class.
“PE services are a key strategic priority for the EY organisation, and this investment will help to enhance client services through recruitment and training of high-quality talent,” said Andy Baldwin, EY Global Managing Partner. “Bridget is highly respected, both internally and in the wider global PE community, and I am thrilled that she will be leading this initiative.
“She has a strong track record working with some of the largest PE clients on significant global deals and brings exceptional operational knowledge and experience in leading and managing industry teams across the globe.”
Walsh currently serves as EY EMEIA Managing Partner – Tax, a $5bn business which has achieved annual double-digit growth under Bridget’s leadership. She has been a trusted advisor to the Global PE industry for over 20 years, and as a recognized leader within the EY organisation, has successfully incubated and grown several businesses within EY.
She has an active role in governing multiple businesses and sits on a number of EY Global boards, including the Global Tax Executive Board and the EY Global Practice Group. Walsh also represents EY on the board of British American Business and is a board member of The Ireland Funds Great Britain board.
Walsh, who joined EY in 1999, is an economics graduate from Queen’s University Belfast. She is an Executive Sponsor for Entrepreneurial Winning Women and a committee member of The Senate of Queens University Belfast. Bridget also represents EY on two international Boards: The British American Business and The China-Britain Business Council.
“I am delighted to take on this role at such a pivotal time, not only for the EY business, but the Private Equity industry overall,” Walsh said.
“It has been a privilege advising the world’s leading PE firms on some of the most innovative and creative deals across sectors around the globe, and I look forward to spearheading growth across EY in this next phase of PE industry evolution. EY is exceptionally well positioned to deploy this significant new investment as the business continues to grow and further capitalise on an existing market leading global platform.”
