FINANCIAL and business advisers Grant Thornton has welcomed a new partner to its East Anglian team.Paul Naylor has joined from the firm's Leeds operation, where he has been based for the last five years.

FINANCIAL and business advisers Grant Thornton has welcomed a new partner to its East Anglian team.

Paul Naylor has joined from the firm's Leeds operation, where he has been based for the last five years.

Mr Naylor, who trained with the firm and has spent time in London and three years in Sydney, said he was optimistic about the opportunities the region's market will bring.

The diversity of the region should help it through the recession, he said.

“Look at the East Anglian region and you begin to see its diversity. Whilst Cambridge is famed for its technology cluster, the region also brings with it a big agricultural base, tourism and a major UK airport, all of which attracts good sized businesses,” he explained.“There will always be bright, entrepreneurial people who are prepared to take a risk, and come out the other side with good, strong businesses.”

His focus in East Anglia will be entrepreneurial, mid market and owner managed businesses, areas he has worked in throughout his career at Grant Thornton.

“I'm excited about the future with Grant Thornton and in particular my future in East Anglia. I am joining a well respected team and look forward to working with companies with a great deal of potential despite the obvious difficulties of funding and economic uncertainty we currently face,” he said.

Mr Naylor, a Leeds United fan, has two young sons, and is keen on sport.