Regional accountancy firm Bishop Fleming, which has its largest office in Bristol, has appointed Ian Smith as chair. He succeeds Jerry O’Sullivan, who recently completed his six-year term in the role.
Ian, pictured, who took up the post on January 1, is a corporate and business services partner who was partner in charge of the firm’s Worcester office. 
He previously worked at Worcester accountancy firm Rabjohns from 1987 to 2011, when it merged with Bishop Fleming – including a six-year term as the firm’s chairman.
In his new role Ian will be working with Bishop Fleming managing partner Matthew Lee to develop the firm’s partners and senior management team.
Matthew said: “Ian has a very strong record in the accountancy profession and in managing the firm’s Worcester office, as well as having a deep understanding of the firm’s culture and operations and a commitment to serving our clients.”
Ian Smith added: “This is an exciting new role for me. The firm’s success has attracted and retained some great talent. It is my job to ensure our talent management and succession planning is as good as it can be.
“I strongly endorse the ethos of the firm and its consistent focus on putting clients first. I also look forward to continuing to deliver on the firm’s strategy for growth.”
Out-going chair Jerry O’Sullivan said the role had been a privilege over the past six years.
“The firm has fantastic potential and I’m sure that Ian will make a huge contribution to the management team through the firm’s next phase of development.”
Bishop Fleming, which has seven offices across the South West and West Midlands, achieved 13% organic growth in fees last year and recruited a record number of trainees. It also recently announced a number of internal promotions to meet the needs of the firm as it puts into action various initiatives for further growth.
The firm is ranked 49th in the Sunday Times Top 100 places to work, accredited as an ‘outstanding’ employer. It was also recently shortlisted in two categories of the British Accountancy Awards – Mid-tier Firm of the Year for the second year running and Top 50 Audit Team of the Year.
The firm has leapt up Accountancy Age’s list of top 50 accountancy firms in the country to number 33, a rise of three places in just the last 12 months.
