Staff recruitment drive and internal promotions aids exponential growth for leading accountants

Multi-award-winning chartered accountants, Haines Watts with offices in Exeter and Crediton, announce a further significant increase in staff numbers following the creation of new job roles and internal promotions within the firm.  This includes the recruitment of seven new members of staff who have joined this year.

Haines Watts is a top 15 firm of chartered accountants who specialise in advising and supporting business owners. Exeter has a diverse portfolio of clients servicing all industry sectors primarily across Devon, Cornwall and into Somerset. 

With an excellent reputation for giving expert advice and client support to owner-managed businesses, Haines Watts provide unparalleled practical training to help staff progress to senior positions.  A prime example of this ethos is the promotion of staff members Katie Wright and Jade Quaintance - having both started as trainee accountants at Exeter, they have been further promoted in the firm when they qualified as chartered accountants. And as a further tribute, Jade recently learned from the Institute of chartered accountants that she has been awarded the status of ‘Responsible Individual’, making her the youngest Haines Watts employee Nationwide to receive this accolade.

A re-structure within Exeter office has also seen the creation of new roles in the firm’s main departments, this follows promotion of three existing members of staff to heads of tax, corporate services and accountancy services.

Senior associates Terry Bridle and Robin Davis, each with over 20 years’ experience, have been made heads of accountancy corporate services respectively. Terry oversees all activities of the accountancy department for small to medium owner-managed businesses, involving supervision and management of general accounting and maintenance of effective internal controls, ensuring statutory compliance in all accounting initiatives.   

Robin as head of corporate services runs a varied portfolio of audits and accounts clients.  Appointed as tax manager last year Mark Johnstone, has been newly promoted to head of tax.  He specialises in business taxes and taxation strategy for owner-managed businesses and has vast experience in a wide spectrum of direct taxes.

Mark Johnstone – newly appointed Head of Tax - Haines Watts Exeter said: “I moved to Devon 11 years ago to study at Exeter University and loved the area so much I wanted to stay in the City.  Last year I joined Haines Watts as a chartered accountant and tax advisor.  It’s a reputable firm to work for and the people are great, so when I was offered the new position I was delighted to accept. My main role is to provide expert taxation advice for the practice and identify opportunities for our clients, helping them save on tax and structure their affairs in the most tax efficient manner.”

Ben de Cruz – Managing Partner Haines Watts Exeter concludes: “Life has been very exciting here at Haines Watts Exeter over the last year or two, and in 2018 we have undergone an unprecedented increase in our workloads.  As a result, we have been training and upskilling from within the firm, as well as recruiting externally.  We’re delighted to have created local employment with no less than seven new members of staff joining in varying roles and positions. We have also made some key appointments having expanded our departments and have three excellent heads running these and helping us with the increased work and new clients.” He adds: “I’m also particularly very proud of Jade’s outstanding achievement, which is much deserved.”