Dow Schofield Watts has appointed James Clarkson as an associate within its Yorkshire and North East corporate finance team.
Clarkson joins the Leeds-based office from KPMG, where he worked across audit, tax, and consulting since 2019.
A member of the ICAEW, Clarkson qualified as an accountant in 2025. In his new role, he will advise on cross-border trade sales, acquisitions, management buyouts, and private equity fundraising.
The appointment follows a series of deal completions by the team in 2025 and early 2026.
Recent transactions include the sale of Access Buildings Products Group to Röko AB, the sale of Tidal Training to Realise Training Group, and a buyout within the veterinary services sector.
Clarkson said: “Having gained valuable experience throughout my career at KPMG, starting as an apprentice and gaining an ACA qualification, it felt like the right time to join such an entrepreneurial corporate finance team at DSW.
“With a strong focus on the regional mid-market, I can’t wait to get stuck in, supporting ambitious businesses going through complex transactions.”
Roger Esler, corporate finance partner at DSW, added: “James is a great addition to the team, bringing expertise across a range of areas.
“We are seeing strong levels of activity across our region as businesses navigate shareholder value growth and realisation strategies and international buyers, private equity investors and debt providers continue to be active.”
