In this newly created role, Giles will support the firm’s leadership and partner group as Bishop Fleming accelerates its Better Growth business strategy, including M&A activity.

A chartered accountant himself, Giles brings extensive leadership and investment experience having held senior executive roles at Kroll, the global financial and risk advisory firm, most recently serving on the global executive team as President of the Risk Advisory business

This followed Kroll’s acquisition of Blackrock Expert Services Group, where he was chief executive officer.

During his four years of leadership at PE-backed Blackrock, the company experienced significant growth, tripling in size through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. 

Prior to Blackrock, Giles spent over 15 years as a private equity investor, including as a Partner at Dunedin, with a focus on scaling technology‑enabled and business services companies.

Andrew Sandiford, CEO and managing partner, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Giles as our first non‑executive chair.

“His track record of scaling people-focussed, professional services businesses, and working with private‑equity‑backed organisations, brings valuable breadth of experience to our Board.

“As we execute our growth plans, Giles’s perspective will help ensure we continue to deliver the trusted, personal service our clients expect, while scaling our business for the long term.” 

Giles Derry added: “I’m delighted to be joining Bishop Fleming at this pivotal juncture in their growth. Bishop Fleming is a firm with strong values, impressive momentum and clear ambition.

I’m excited to support Andrew and the leadership team as the business grows, deepens its capabilities and extends its reach.

“I look forward to working with the Partners and colleagues across the firm to help shape the next chapter in the firm’s ambitious journey.”

In 2025, Bishop Fleming announced it had taken a minority private equity investment from Synova – the innovative growth and private equity investor, which currently manages more than £1.7bn of capital in the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe across markets, including Financial Services.

That backing has uniquely enabled the firm to remain partner-owned and led, but with the additional firepower, resources and corporate approach, to pursue its ambitious growth plans.

It now has plans to expand rapidly on the national stage through a combination of organic growth and strategic M&A activity.