DWF has appointed Steve Varley (pictured above) as independent non-executive chair. In his new role at DWF, Varley will chair the firm's group board, providing non-executive oversight of the group's strategy.
Varley previously served as chair and managing partner of EY in the UK & Ireland from 2011 to 2020, and as global vice-chair, sustainability at EY Global from 2020 to 2023.
Varley brings over 30 years of experience in the professional services industry, including 14 years at Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) and 18 years at EY. He joined EY in 2005 to build its consulting practice in Northern Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa. Following this, Varley was elected as UK & Ireland chair and managing partner in 2011.
Under his leadership, EY's annual revenues in the UK & Ireland rose from £1.35 billion to £2.6 billion, and its workforce grew from 14,000 to 20,000 across 19 offices. In 2020, he took on the role of EY's global vice-chair for sustainability, expanding its global sustainability practice from 3,500 to 8,500 professionals and assisting companies worldwide in creating value through sustainability.
Varley has also served as a member of the Business Advisory Group to two Prime Ministers and has advised on visits to China, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Japan.
“I am delighted to have been appointed as non-executive chair of DWF. It is a highly ambitious business with a clear strategy and a commitment to creating sustainable growth. The firm's values align with my own and I look forward to working with Nigel and the executive board in playing my part to help DWF on the next stage of its journey,” Varley said.
DWF CEO Sir Nigel Knowles has welcomed Varley to the board and praised his expertise as he heads into this new role.
“I am very pleased to welcome Steve to the Group Board of DWF. One of our stated ambitions is to build a global professional services firm with our heritage in law. Steve has an exceptional level of experience in building and growing global professional services businesses and I have no doubt that his expertise will be of great benefit to DWF,” Knowles said.
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