Member Spotlight: Tehseen Ali, Audit Partner, EY

Introduce yourself

Most people know me as Tes. I’m an Audit Partner at EY (Ernst & Young, one of the world’s largest professional services firms) in Manchester, and I also serve as a non‑executive director at both pro‑manchester and The Growth Company. Across these roles, I’m privileged to work with businesses at every stage of their journey, protecting trust through audit, advising leaders through change, and contributing at board level to the growth of our city and region.

What ties it all together is Manchester itself: a place that values straight‑talking professionalism, social mobility and collaboration, and has a real buzz about it. I take great pride in helping organisations do the right thing and in giving back to the business ecosystem that has supported me. Outside work, I’m a father of three and start most days at 7am, unless I’m in a targeted training session at my local PT‑led gym (P1), and as it gets sunnier, I’m looking forward to getting back on the mountain bike and hiking more.

Career highlight

Becoming an Audit Partner at EY in 2022 after more than two decades in the profession remains my defining career highlight. It represented not just personal progression, but also the responsibility that comes with safeguarding confidence in businesses and markets. That sense of stewardship, protecting, advising and supporting clients when it matters most, is something I take very seriously and it remains central to how I lead.

Name three words that describe your personality

Industrious, committed and authentic.

What’s the best thing about pro‑manchester?

For me, it’s the people, first and foremost. pro‑manchester brings together everything I value about the city: openness, ambition and a genuine willingness to support one another. As a board director, I’ve seen how it connects people across sectors in a way that feels purposeful rather than transactional. It’s a community that reflects Manchester at its best: collaborative, inclusive and forward‑looking, and we at EY in Mcr really benefit from being part of it, so I would seriously urge others to look to see how they can get involved.

What are your priorities for 2026?

My focus is on continuing to lead with integrity and impact. Professionally, that means maintaining the highest standards in audit, developing future leaders, and using my board roles to champion inclusion, social mobility and long‑term growth. Personally, it’s about balance: staying healthy, being present for my family and being effective in everything I take on. We’re also planning to move house for the first time in over 18 years, so I’d better get a move on as 2026 already seems to be flying by!!!

What do you think are the most important things going on in Manchester at the moment?

Manchester is at a pivotal moment, growing fast, innovating confidently, and becoming increasingly influential on the (inter)national stage. The key challenge and opportunity now is to ensure that this growth is inclusive, benefiting people across all our boroughs and not just the city centre, as well as skills‑led and sustainable. From transport improvements like the Bee Network buses to business‑led collaborations with our world‑class universities, the city is showing real maturity, and that’s something I’m proud to be part of.

Favourite meeting place in Manchester

I’m in the city centre most days, with our office at St Peter’s Square, and for convenience I often pop into the Atrium Café on the corner for a quick coffee. That said, I’m a big fan of meeting places with character. The Portico Library is a hidden gem just around the corner, calm, discreet and steeped in Manchester history and perfect for thoughtful conversations away from the hustle and bustle. I also enjoy lunch or dinner meetings at Dishoom. In general I prefer venues with personality and a sense of place over the usual chains, though I’ll admit I have a soft spot for a great steak when the occasion calls for it!!!!

Are there any particular types of businesses that you would like to meet?

I enjoy meeting leaders who are ambitious but grounded, those running businesses that want to grow while doing the right thing for their people and the wider community. Whether they are scaling, transforming or navigating complexity, I have a particular specialism in working with privately owned businesses. That said, I’m always open to conversations with anyone who values trust, long‑term thinking and collaboration.

Get In Touch 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07825 521256

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