South West accountancy group PKF Francis Clark, which has eight offices across the region, has opened its first base in Bristol.
Heading the office in Victoria Street as Bristol managing partner is former Smith & Williamson Bristol office senior partner Mike Lea.
He is joined by Paul Bray, who has arrived from rival Haines Watts’ base in the city and who previously worked at Smith & Williamson for 22 years. 
Both have a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience in the region and will play key roles in the office’s growth plans, which PKF Francis Clark described as “ambitious”.
Existing PKF Francis Clark staff will also now be working from Bristol, including tax partner Stuart Rogers, who previously worked for KPMG in the city, corporate finance partner Paul Crocker, corporate partner Nick Farrant and private client partner Karen Bowen.
PKF Francis Clark, which is celebrating its centenary, said opening in Bristol demonstrated its commitment to the South West. It said it hoped the office would fill a growing gap in the market and support mid-sized companies from family businesses through to those listed on the London Stock Exchanges Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
The firm, which has annual revenues of £48m, employs more than 750 people and 57 partners across its offices in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Clients include the Eden Project, Bristol Sport and Brittany Ferries.
Mike Lea said: “Having worked in Bristol for many years, I have witnessed first-hand its changing marketplace and truly believe that there is a real opportunity for a firm such as ours.
“Being proudly South West based but with national reach, I’m excited about the breadth of expertise that we can bring to the business community here. I am thrilled to lead PKF Francis Clark as we expand further in this vibrant region.”
PKF Francis Clark managing partner Andrew Richards added: “This city has so much to offer both our firm and people, and as we mark our centenary year, we hope to nurture regional talent and develop our established team to provide a truly local offering.
“Our people have a real understanding of the Bristol market and have identified an opening for us to really support mid-sized businesses here. We hope to provide a personal touch and will be offering an unrivalled array of local services and expertise for every client.”
PKF Francis Clark offers a range of services in a variety of sectors including construction, food and drink, tourism, healthcare, renewable energies and agriculture.
It said the Bristol office would add to this offering by providing opportunities in aerospace and defence, financial services, media and entertainment, professional practices and technology sectors.
The firm also said it was keen to invest back in the region by ensuring that 10% of new recruits each year in the Bristol office would be local school leavers on an entry level scheme.
The firm was shortlisted for the Tax Team of the Year award at the British Accountancy Awards 2019 and named ‘Best Private Client Tax Practice of the Year’ at the Tolley’s Tax Awards 2019.
It is a member of PKF UKI, which was ranked 11th in the Accountancy Age 2018 survey of top accountancy firms.
Pictured, from left: PKF Francis Clark Bristol managing partner Mike Lea with managing partner Andrew Richards
