A chance to shape your success: Why make the move from the Big Four to Dow Schofield Watts?
At Dow Schofield Watts, we’re all about giving ambitious pioneers the platform to lead their own businesses and realise their entrepreneurial goals.
We recently caught up with Keith Benson, co-founder and partner at DSW Ventures, about his career at DSW (since joining from KPMG in 2012) and how his role has enabled him to progress at pace as an entrepreneur.
What initially attracted you to move from a Big Four firm to Dow Schofield Watts?
Spending the first part of my career working in software, I then qualified as an accountant in the KPMG audit team, where I believe I was the oldest trainee in the UK at the time. I always had high ambitions for my career and felt that if I didn’t make the move from a traditional large firm, I could risk limiting how quickly I could progress and push myself.
After initial conversations with James Dow, then CEO, and the wider team and finding out more about the commercial opportunity that the Dow Schofield Watts network offers, the appeal was something that I couldn’t turn down.
How have you been able to progress at pace during your time here?
When I first joined DSW, I worked in the corporate finance team and stayed in the role for seven years. The team really helped me to harness my foundational skills and gave me opportunities to work closely with a range of clients that I wouldn’t have been able to before.
I became a partner very quickly after just seven years at the business, when I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to set up DSW Ventures. I began working with early-stage startups and used my background knowledge in tech and software to advise investors and work alongside new startups that were seeking funding.
In terms of training, how does Dow Schofield Watts stand out from other advisory firms?
Our teams are made up of industry leading advisers across all different disciplines, with expertise in a wide range of sectors. From my experience, Dow Schofield Watts has provided much more on-the-job experience than is typically given at the likes of the Big Four. Working very closely with other team members who have a wealth of experience really enables everyone to share knowledge and guidance as part of the same network.
What would you say to anyone who is thinking about a career at Dow Schofield Watts?
Dow Schofield Watts strikes a brilliant balance between granting partners the freedom to run our own teams and client matters how we want to, whilst still being part of a network where we receive guidance and support.
The credentials and industry awareness of the network make it much easier when you are starting up. We are well recognised not only in the North West, where we are headquartered, but internationally for some of our businesses through Pandea Global M&A. Our firm allows you to create work that fits around your personal strengths and expertise to set up a business that is truly industry-leading.
It’s been extremely rewarding to have been able to grow DSW Ventures from the ground up, with 18 businesses now in our portfolio, comprising software, consumer and deep-tech companies. What keeps me motivated to continue building the Ventures team is creating a firm which people genuinely enjoy being a part of and helping create a legacy for our team and our portfolio companies.