Accountant Ian Persechino has joined the Manchester office of PricewaterhouseCoopers as a director in the government and public sector team.

Persechino formerly worked for Serco Consulting and in May last year he was appointed as project director on Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council's project to replace its existing Town Hall with new offices.

He did his training with KPMG before joining PwC Consulting and later Serco. He has 14 years' experience in the public sector, including a number of property-related PFI/PPP projects

PwC said he would be working across local government, primarily in the North West, but also on a national basis, advising local councils on providing services in an increasingly tight financial environment.

Nick Boden, senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the North West, said: I am delighted to welcome Ian to the Manchester office. His wealth of knowledge will be a great asset to both PwC and our clients in the region, and further afield.

Persechino, said: "It is generally acknowledged that the public sector is facing an increasingly difficult challenge, with the need and demand for new and improved services, against a backdrop of tightening public finances.

I am passionate about helping local authorities succeed in this environment and believe that PwC is best placed to enable the public sector to meet this agenda head-on.