Meet our Board: Tehseen Ali – EY
Tuesday, 6th February 2024At pro-manchester, we take great pride in being an organization driven by our valued members. Our board and committees consist entirely of member firms, and we are thrilled to introduce you to some of the exceptional individuals who contribute to making pro-manchester the remarkable organization it is today.
Who is Tehseen Ali?
I’m Tes, grew up in a working class family, in Rochdale, a 2nd generation immigrant. Father to 3 kids, husband to Shona, Audit Partner at Ernst & Young in Manchester, helping my clients which takes me out and about (which I love, I was fed up with WFH long ago) and last but not least Board Member at pro-manchester for over 18 months now.
I love spending time with the family – my wife Shona and 3 kids, my sis and mum, we all get on super well, apart from when we’re arguing(!).. and we really look out for each other. When I am not being a taxi to the kids then I can be found walking or mountain biking – it’s a good way to think or switch off, depending on what’s going on.
Career highlight
Making Partner at EY in 2022 after 20 years of investment.
Name three words that describe your personality
Agile, fastidious and devoted.
Why did you decide that you wanted to be part of the pro-manchester board?
Originally I was asked by one of the Partners who was stepping down, I was looking to really get back out there and give something back to the City I love post the pandemic and contribute my skills and perspectives.
What’s the best thing about pro-manchester?
It feels like a family and that it really cares about its members. The board and employees who worked tirelessly to pull pro-manchester through the pandemic when things looked dire (before my time) to what it is now, a really successful business development organisation. I love how it supports a dynamic network amongst local businesses of which EY is part of that fabric, so it had a real symbiotic relationship with my role at EY as a Leader of the NW Audit Practice.
What more would you like to see from pro-manchester this year?
Endorse and promote more inclusiveness and equity amongst its members.
What are your priorities for 2024?
Driving a culture of coaching, feedback and learning, growing our business which allows our people to grow in turn. Really get to grips with the DE&I question across EY and in Manchester….personally – spend more time on my health, trying to get the whole family out walking – we have such great outdoor spaces near us – this is not a New Years Resolution btw!
What do you think are the most important things going on in Manchester at the moment?
The City is just so grown up and yet growing all the time – by that I mean when it has just come such a long way from when I was a student (many, many) years ago. Two areas are the city’s strong focus on technological innovation and a strong movement advocating for public services (proud of bee buses!)
Favourite quote or saying
I don’t go in for those – they always look good written down but I inevitably would get them wrong if I tried to repeat them. Living your life by quotes is rarely a good plan – maybe you could use that one I just made up!
Favourite meeting place in Manchester
Love Zouk, love Pakistani and Indian food – hence impressed with the 8am breakfast meeting at Dishoom. Occasionally the balcony at our offices at EY on the 10th floor with a coffee from Black Sheep to go with albeit it is snowing thickly so it might be a bit chilly. I tend to avoid overcrowded coffee chains….