Accountancy group Deloitte has appointed two new partners in its Bristol office as part of its annual round of promotions.
Samantha Bates has become an associate partner while Dave Smith is now a partner – both work in Deloitte’s audit & assurance team based in Bristol. 
Samantha, pictured with Dave Smith, has 15 years’ experience leading and coordinating audit engagements for private markets companies across a range of sectors, including professional practices and consumer businesses.
She studied at Oxford University before joining Deloitte in 2008, becoming a leader of the firm’s private markets focused audit team based in the South West.
She is experienced in supporting businesses through periods of change, such as being acquired or preparing for IPOs (initial public offerings).
Samantha said: “I am delighted to take up the role of associate partner and look forward to continuing to lead our work in the region with privately owned businesses and partnerships.
“Many of the companies we work with are operating in challenging and changing markets and Deloitte has the opportunity to make a real difference to their businesses.”
Dave, who is a member of Deloitte’s financial services team, joined the firm in 2021 after 14 years at EY, and has 17 years of audit and assurance experience working with a variety of insurers and lending institutions in the South West, including public interest entities. 
Dave said: “I am looking forward to continuing to engage with the wide network of local and global companies in the South West. As our team continues to grow, and I am excited by the opportunities ahead and for me as a new partner at Deloitte.”
In addition to the partner promotions, Deloitte as also made a number of director promotions in its South West practice.
These include Andrew Fry, Sarah Howes and Paul Mercer (consulting), Tim Gotsell and Laura Hosgood (audit & assurance), Alison Osborne and Will Smith (tax & legal) and Jerry Dillon (transaction services).
Deloitte, which has more than 700 people based in its Bristol office, has made 161 promotions in total across all grades in the last 12 months and has also welcomed seven new apprentices on its award-winning Brightstart scheme.
Deloitte South West and Wales practice senior partner Dave Tansley, pictured, said: “I would like to congratulate Dave and Sam on their promotion to partner, and to acknowledge all of our colleagues who have been promoted in our South West practice. 
“Both Dave and Sam are respected leaders in the audit and assurance sector, and I know they will both be active in continuing to grow this part of Deloitte’s business in the region.
“We continue to prioritise creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
“I am excited by our imminent office move to the Halo building in Finzels Reach – it promises to be an inspiring place for our people to work as the business grows and demonstrates our continued investment in Bristol”.
Across the UK, Deloitte has promoted 81 people to partner, 27 (33%) of them women, which has increased the total number of Deloitte’s women partners to 412, or 30% of all partners.
This year’s promotions include 19 new partners from ethnic minority backgrounds, equating to 23% of the promotions. The number of UK partners overall now stands at 1,366.
Deloitte in the UK is part of Deloitte North and South Europe (NSE), the second largest member firm in the Deloitte Global network, spanning 28 countries and more than 70,000 people.
