Accountancy firm Haines Watts Bristol has promoted Conor O’Sullivan to company director as it continues to press head with its future management strategy.
Conor, pictured, has joined the four other directors making up the management team in the Bristol office of the small and medium-sized accountancy specialist.
The appointment was announced by Haines Watts Bristol managing partner Matthew Bracher following his own election to the company’s national board last month.
Mratthew said Conor’s appointment, alongside the arrival of Andrew Jordan as company director in July last year, strengthened the leadership of the Bristol office during a period of transition and growth.
He said: “This appointment reflects the commitment and dedication that Conor has demonstrated within the firm.
“I am personally incredibly grateful to Conor for the support, integrity and belief that he has shown to me and the firm in our ongoing growth and development, and his appointment is very well deserved.”
He said the appointment was key to the future of the office, representing another large step in its strategic development.
“Conor will take responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Bristol office with Andrew remaining responsible for all staff development and training matters,” he added.
Conor’s promotion comes seven years after he joined Haines Watts Bristol and just 13 months since he was appointed associate director.
It is also just over a decade since he gave up the dream of being a professional footballer, having been at Southampton FC’s academy followed by a year at the Nike Academy at Loughborough University in 2013, before injury and a lack of opportunity forced him to reassess his career opportunities.
Conor said: “I’m proud to be one of the youngest directors in the Haines Watts group and am grateful to Matt for the faith he has shown in me since I joined the company.
“From my clients’ perspective, I’ll have the same responsibilities in terms of managing the portfolio and maintaining those relationships.
“But our company is growing and there was an opportunity to become more involved in the operation of the business.
“I’m looking forward to helping my fellow directors to promote the vision of Haines Watts both locally and nationally.
“The past five years have gone according to plan, and we now have a new five-year strategy to focus on growth in talent, growth in our client base and growth in our team’s wellbeing.”
Turnover for the Bristol office is on target to rise by around 20% to £4.7m in the current tax year, meaning it will have trebled in five years, while staff numbers have shot up from 20 to 55 over the same period.
The office is also forging a reputation for promoting young talent having recently established a scheme with St Brendan’s College – Bristol’s largest sixth form college – to recruit and train up to four new apprentices a year straight out of sixth form.
Conor added: “It’s great to be part of a growing firm with plans for the future, and I’m happy to be considered a key part of that strategy going forward.
“Sometimes you create your own luck but you also need to take opportunities when they come along, too.
“I’ve worked hard over the past few years to create this opening for myself, and I’m enjoying seeing my hard work come to fruition.”
Pictured: Conor O’Sullivan, flanked by Haines Watts Bristol managing partner Matthew Bracher, left, and director Andrew Jordan
