Carnlough woman Louise Black takes charge of PwC Belfast as firm announces 190 promotions

Louise Black, Market Senior Partner for PwC Belfast

A Carnlough woman has been appointed to lead Northern Ireland’s largest professional services office outside London, as PwC unveiled one of its biggest leadership and promotion rounds in recent years.

Louise Black has been named Market Senior Partner for PwC Belfast, taking responsibility for the strategic direction of the firm’s Belfast operation and its workforce of approximately 2,400 people.

The appointment places the County Antrim native at the helm of the largest PwC office outside London and comes as the firm announced 190 promotions across its Northern Ireland business, alongside the appointment of three new Managing Directors.

County Antrim roots at the top of Northern Ireland’s biggest PwC office

Born and raised in Carnlough, Louise brings almost two decades of experience with the firm to the role.

A Partner within PwC’s Consulting practice specialising in Banking and Capital Markets, she became a Partner in 2022 and has built her career supporting organisations through periods of transformation and growth.

Her appointment represents a significant leadership milestone for both the business and the wider local economy, placing a County Antrim professional at the centre of decision-making for one of Northern Ireland’s largest private sector employers.

Speaking following her appointment, Louise said:

“I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of Market Senior Partner for PwC Northern Ireland.

“There are so many opportunities for growth and innovation, and I’m excited to work with our clients and our talented people to build on that momentum.

“We have a strong presence locally and a brilliant team, and I’m passionate about continuing to invest in both as we support businesses to transform and succeed.”

190 promotions signal continued growth

Louise’s appointment forms part of a wider promotion round across PwC’s Northern Ireland practice, with 190 colleagues advancing their careers within the Belfast office.

The latest promotions include three new Managing Directors and seven new Directors, reflecting continued expansion and investment in leadership capability across the business.

The firm said the appointments are designed to support future growth and help clients navigate increasingly complex economic, technological and operational challenges.

Three new Managing Directors appointed

(L-R) Jason, Grainne, Louise and Tim take up new positions at PwC Northern Ireland

Among the senior appointments is Grainne Rodgers, who has been promoted to Managing Director within PwC Operate.

Having spent more than 25 years with the firm, she specialises in helping organisations deliver large-scale transformation and managed services programmes and has recently led the growth of PwC’s Transformation Managed Services capability.

Tim Burns has also been appointed Managing Director.

A Chartered Accountant and founder of PwC’s Software Deployment Services business, he has spent more than two decades with the company and focuses on helping clients accelerate software delivery through AI-enabled approaches.

Joining them is Jason McBride, who becomes Managing Director for Data and AI, Tech Delivery and Service Management.

With more than 20 years of experience, he supports organisations in adopting artificial intelligence technologies, making better use of data and delivering technology transformation programmes.

Leadership team expands to 19 senior figures

The latest appointments bring PwC Belfast’s senior leadership team to 19 people, comprising three existing Managing Directors, the newly appointed trio and 13 Partners.

PwC said the Managing Director role is reserved for leaders overseeing strategically important parts of the business, major client portfolios or large teams, while helping drive the firm’s future growth ambitions.

The announcement reflects continued investment by the professional services giant in its Northern Ireland operations at a time when demand for expertise in technology, artificial intelligence, business transformation and managed services continues to grow.

For County Antrim, Louise Black’s appointment also provides a notable local success story, with a woman who grew up in Carnlough now leading one of the most significant professional services operations anywhere on the island of Ireland.