NEW CHAIRMAN FOR UHY
- Bernard Fay to lead expansion of the network’s footprint, focusing on UHY’s unique strengths: its people and their collaborative spirit
UHY, the international accounting and consultancy network, has elected Bernard Fay as the new chairman of UHY, following 17 years as a UHY Board Director. With Bernard’s election, the UHY network will be led for the first time by a Director from outside its founding countries, the USA and UK, reflecting the increasingly international mix of the work undertaken by member firms.
Bernard is one of the managing and founding partners at UHY Fay & Co, UHY’s Spanish member firm. Trilingual in French, Spanish and English, and educated in several European countries including the UK, Bernard has extensive experience of leading multicultural and international projects. He developed, and leads, his firm’s team which specialises in helping businesses to expand internationally.
Bernard comments; “From a small group of forward thinking executives spanning the Atlantic, UHY has grown into a substantial, truly global network, delivering quality international accounting and business advisory services to ambitious midmarket SMEs and entrepreneurs, and to larger companies looking for a refreshing alternative to the Big Four.”
A key priority for Bernard will be to build on UHY’s global presence, driving its growth strategy over the next few years. UHY will be celebrating 30 years as an international network in 2016.
“Our strategy for the next five years focuses on growth, geographical presence and the creative expansion of our brand so that we can continue to meet our clients’ needs globally.” says Bernard. “It is indeed a very competitive marketplace but a spirit of collaboration, cohesion and trust sets us apart from our competitors when choosing UHY as a partner for international projects and transactions. We care about people and our clients make the informed and positive choice to work with us.”
“We will measure the success of our network not in terms of sheer growth alone but by whether our clients value the innovative, demanding and rewarding work our people are able to deliver.
“I am looking forward to working together with our clients, our member firms and the UHY Board as we shape our future and embrace the new opportunities created by technology and globalisation, as well as the challenges presented by the requirements of regulators and a rapidly evolving marketplace.”
Bernard takes over as Chairman from Ladislav Hornan, managing partner at UHY Hacker Young, London, the UK based founding member firm of the UHY network. Ladislav will remain on the UHY Board of Directors.
About Bernard Fay Viota
Bernard is one of the managing partners of UHY Fay & Co, UHY’s Spanish member firm and one of the top 20 leading firms in Spain. A member of the Board of Directors of UHY since 1998, Bernard has been at the forefront of the expansion of the network in Latin America for many years and more recently in the Middle East.
Bernard is also the driver and creator of the UHY Forum, a key leadership training program of the network held annually in Spain for the past 14 years. The Forum has seen more than 300 UHY high-fliers develop their skills in management, negotiation and leadership.
At UHY Fay & Co, he has developed and leads the area of the firm which provides professional services to clients in support of their international expansion. This has enabled him to create multicultural and multilingual teams partnering with other UHY member firms across many of the countries where UHY has a presence
Bernard is a qualified Certified Public Accountant and a Registered Auditor in Spain with more than 30 years’ experience, acting as trusted advisor and auditor for many large Spanish and international companies.
Born in Barcelona to a Spanish mother and English father, Bernard has lived in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, England and Spain. He is tri-lingual in English, Spanish and French. He is a black belt 2nd Dan in Karate and a keen skier. Married with two children, his family is his greatest passion.
