Drew Stevenson has been appointed Energy sector leader at PwC UK, succeeding Alan McCrae, while the energy tax team has been bolstered with the appointment of David Lewis, who joins the UK partnership from PwC Australia.

The firm’s deals leader for the energy sector since 2014, Glasgow-based Drew has more than 25 years’ experience of deals and transaction services across a wide range of industries and global territories.

He joined the firm in 1989, and went on to set up the Scottish Transaction Services team in 1997. He takes on the role of Energy leader with a wealth of experience in the sector, specialising in exploration and production, mid- and downstream, services and new energies.

Commenting on his new role, Drew said:

“I’m delighted to be leading our energy business at such an important time for the industry. As the energy transition gathers momentum and society drives towards a lower carbon future, we are supporting our clients in addressing this critical shift.

“With our Energy Centres of Excellence in Aberdeen and London, we are well positioned to help deliver change to an industry of vital importance to the UK, as operators transform and reposition their businesses.

“It is particularly exciting to take on this role at a time of huge technological change for the industry, with the likes of cyber security, data analytics and the use of drones becoming more prevalent.”

PwC is also strengthening its energy sector tax practice with the addition of David Lewis, who joins the UK firm as a partner from PwC Australia. Based in Perth, David previously led the PwC Australia Energy & Resources Tax practice for three years and the Perth Tax practice (of more than 100 practitioners) for two and a half years.

He is a deep oil and gas specialist, having advised multinational oil and gas clients in Australia for the last 13 years.  Prior to that David held senior tax roles within the oil and gas industry for seven years at ExxonMobil in Perth and Melbourne and Chevron in Perth and California. He will be based in London.

Steve Jennings, head of Energy, Utilities and Resources at PwC UK, added:

“I’m delighted Drew has taken up this new role. With investment activity increasing as the sector recovers from the 2014 downturn and transforms itself as the energy transition gathers pace, his experience will prove invaluable”

“The energy sector is going through a period of unprecedented change and we are increasing our investment to support our clients to address their key challenges particularly around  decarbonisation and digitalisation.”