KPMG appoints Simon Virley as Partner in London Energy practice

KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, advisory and tax services, has appointed Simon Virley as a Partner in the firms Energy practice.

Simon joined KPMG on 1 February 2015, from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), where he has been Director General of Energy Markets and Infrastructure since 2009. In this role, Simon had overall responsibility for advice to the UK Government on renewables, nuclear, oil and gas, shale, carbon capture and storage, and UK energy security issues. During this period, he led the biggest reforms to the UK energy market since privatisation.

Prior to his role in DECC, Simon held a number of other senior government positions in Downing Street (as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister), HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office. He has also worked for KPMG previously, as a Director of Corporate Finance within the Global Infrastructure and Projects Group. Simon was awarded a CB (Companion of the Bath) in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours for ‘Services to UK energy supply and energy security’.

In his new role, Simon will join KPMG’s Energy Deal Advisory team, and will be responsible for advising KPMG’s clients on opportunities in the UK market and abroad. This will include helping clients understand the implications of the UK’s energy policy framework, and how to best to structure the much needed investment UK energy generation and infrastructure.

Sarah McNaught, Head of Energy at Natural Resources at KPMG LLP, UK, stated:

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Simon to our Energy team. His in-depth and current knowledge of the challenges facing the energy sector in the UK, and abroad, will be of significant value to our clients and compliment the skills of our current deal advisory team.”

On his appointment, Simon commented,

“I am excited about my return to KPMG and helping clients navigate the significant challenges facing the energy market here in the UK and abroad.”