Southampton: Claire Burden joins Smith & Williamson

Business turnaround specialist Claire Burden has joined financial and professional services firm Smith & Williamson LLP as a partner in its national advisory consultancy business offering profit and operational enhancement and turnaround services.

Burden spent 10 years in industry, leading turnaround programmes and supporting high growth and working capital constrained businesses. She previously worked in audit and restructuring at Big Four firm KPMG. She has worked across a range of business sizes and sectors with specialisms in energy, renewables, professional services, manufacturing and technology.

Based in the Southampton office, Burden will develop both Smith & Williamson's advisory and turnaround offering, supporting businesses that are experiencing under-performance or financial pressure, primarily in businesses in the £100 million to £500m turnover bracket.

“Many businesses are currently impacted by unforeseen external events, altering planned strategy, working capital and profitability,” said Greg Palfrey, head of advisory consultancy at Smith & Williamson. “Claire has a breadth of board level and corporate finance experience and a commercial acumen for operational and strategic delivery. She has a deep understanding of the challenges businesses face and how to alleviate them. Claire will play a key role in the evolution of our national advisory offering.

“As the trusted adviser for privately-owned, entrepreneurial businesses and high-net-worth individuals in the UK, we are in the process of widening the scope of our advisory services and investing in growth. We are promoting internally and appointing externally as part of this.”