Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has strengthened its North West team with the appointment of Claire Frangou.

Claire joins the Corporate Finance team as partner. She brings more than 25 years' experience to the firm, with expertise in advising on mergers and acquisitions, disposals and fund raising, including extensive experience of private equity.

Angela Cross, partner and Head of BDO in the North West, said:

"Claire is a valuable addition to both the North West and National M&A teams. Her experience will be vital, as we look to strengthen our footprint in this field and continue to build a talented team in the region."

At BDO, Claire will work closely with owner-managed and private equity-backed businesses to support their continued growth and development. Claire will be based in the firm's Manchester office and will work alongside a team of 17 corporate finance specialists, including partner, Jason Whitworth, Managing Director, James Fieldhouse, and Directors Chris Cumber and Jonathan Lewis. She joins from KPMG.

Claire commented:

"I'm delighted to be joining such a talented and ambitious M&A team that has a fantastic reputation in the market and benefits from significant sector expertise, including through its TMT, healthcare, industrial and consumer strategy teams, along with an international network. I believe there is an excellent opportunity to combine my experience and relationships with the existing strength of the team to create a market leading position in the North West."

She added:

"The North West has an incredibly strong entrepreneurial history, and that ensures there is always a flow of M&A opportunity as founders look for funding and to exit. Manchester is the second largest private equity community in Europe and that will continue to underpin and fund activity in the region.

"In the next few months, the level of activity may be affected by wider economic pressures, but there are strong drivers to deals - both corporate and private equity have a desire to invest and founders may wish crystallise value at existing tax rates prior to the next election."