Jonathan Newell

Following schooling in his home town of Leeds, Jon graduated from the University of Hull with a degree (2i) in Economics in 1975. On graduation, Jon began a training contract with Touche Ross and Co in Leeds, qualifying in 1978. Having worked initially in audit, Jon has been a full time insolvency practitioner since 1982.

Jon has held an insolvency licence since 1989 and has been an appointment taking Partner since 1991.

From 2000, Jon was responsible for the insolvency business of PKF in NW England. During this time, formal appointments have included Oldham Athletic Football Club, Prestons of Bolton Limited (retail jewellers) and Jenson Sports Cars. Although not one of the appointed insolvency practitioners, Jon was part of the day one team which dealt with the failure of Barings Bank in 1995.

PKF merged with BDO LLP in March 2013 and Jon became a partner in the merged firm. Jon retired after passing his 60th birthday (in accordance with the Partnership Agreement) in March 2014.

Areas of professional specialisation   

• A general insolvency practitioner focussed on Owner Managed Businesses based in the North of England.
• As a general practitioner, Jon Newell has experience across the whole range of formal insolvency appointments. He has acted as office holder in Administrations and Liquidations (Corporate Sector) and in Bankruptcies and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (Personal Sector).
• As well as acting as the office holder in formal insolvencies, Jon has acted widely as an investigating accountant reviewing businesses in financial difficulty and reporting to interested stakeholders.
• Jon has held managerial positions with the Business Recovery practices of both PKF and EY with full operational responsibility for teams based in Manchester and Liverpool and Leeds and Hull. This included the preparation, presentation and delivery of the annual budgets in accordance with the national plans and objectives.
• At PKF, Jon was Chairman of Professional Standards for the Corporate Recovery Practice.
• Elected member of Council of the Association of Business Recovery Professional (serving three consecutive terms). Active member of the Education Committee and the Members’ Services Committee. During service as Members’ Services Committee, Jon was responsible for leading the initiative that widened the membership of R3 to include non–appointment takers and lawyers working in the restructuring field. Previously, only insolvency appointment taking accountants were eligible for membership. This expansion was critical in ensuring the medium and long term future of the Association.
• Member of the Insolvency Technical Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (for 6 years to 2012).

Current Roles

• Member of the Disciplinary Committee (“DC”) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales - appointed 1 January 2017. The DC sits as a Tribunal of three, being a Lay Chair, one Lay member and one accountant member. I serve as an accountant member. Accountant members serve in an honorary capacity.
• Member of the Industry Advisory Board of Salford University Business School. The role of the Advisory Board is guide the academic staff in ensuring that the School offering is relevant to the requirements of potential employers in the commercial sector.
• Elected to Wilmslow Town Council in May 2019. Vice Chair of Finance Committee.
• Treasurer of Residents of Wilmslow – a registered political party formed to ensure localism in policy and decision making is given due consideration when decisions are taken effecting life in NE Cheshire.