Carl Deane, head of accountancy group Smith & Williamson’s audit and assurance team in Bristol, has become managing partner of the Bristol office, replacing Mike Lea, who has been in the role for the past 10 years.
Mike takes on the newly created ambassadorial role of office senior partner and will continue to head Smith & Williamson’s business tax team in Bristol.
Mike said: “This office has grown significantly to almost 200 people since we moved from Clifton to the city centre nearly 10 years ago.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my decade as managing partner during which time we’ve weathered profound changes in the financial markets and continued to evolve, acquiring an investment management business and adding a forensic services team to our Bristol offering along the way.
“I am very pleased to be able to hand over the responsibilities of managing partner to Carl and focus on more of an ambassadorial role, ensuring that our brand and services are well communicated and further enhancing our relationships with clients, referrers and the wider community.”
Carl, who has been with the firm in Bristol for over a decade, added: “We are a dynamic and highly experienced team and there is a real energy about working here. I am clear that people will be at the heart of any growth strategies moving forward.
“This is an exciting time to be taking on the managing partner role and I look forward to working with this great team to shape and manage the business locally. Mike has done a fantastic job in the top role for more than a decade and I am very pleased to have this opportunity to build on his solid foundations and take the Bristol office to the next level.”
Pictured: Mike Lea, left, with new Bristol office managing partner Carl Deane
