Haines Watts take on extra office space in Exeter
Expanding, multi-award winning chartered accountants Haines Watts located in Exeter, acquired additional office space to accommodate its ever-growing team.
The leading firm of accountants has grown exponentially over the last 12 months with an increase of 75% in members of staff. This includes the creation of a business service division, from one person to a team of five specialising in bookkeeping, VAT and payroll.
And the recruitment drive continues with new Head of Tax Mark Johnstone, and an Accounts & Audit Senior joining the team by the end of the year, as well as further job opportunities planned for 2018.
Ben de Cruz – Managing Partner Haines Watts Exeter said: “It’s been an extremely busy and successful year with our business and client bases increasing by 10%, mostly in the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector, and mainly in taxation and accounting services. As a result of the increased portfolio, our team has grown considerably, and we were bursting at the seams. When space became conveniently available in the neighbouring office, we grabbed the opportunity to future-proof the business, and continue to go from strength to strength.”
With over 60 offices around the UK, and over 35,000 clients, Haines Watts is a Top 20 firm of Chartered Accountants that specialises in the owner managed business sector. The Exeter firm, which also has a Crediton office, has a diverse portfolio of clients servicing all industry sectors across Devon, Cornwall and into Somerset. The expansion is part of the firm’s mid – long-term marketing strategy, and when the first and second floors of an adjacent building became vacant, the partners seized the opportunity to lease it and now their new office address is Nos. 3, 4 and 5 Southernhay West. As a result, they have increased the original office space by c. 1223 sq. ft., adding up to a third to its existing floor plan.
Mr de Cruz, responsible for a diverse portfolio of clients, including owner-managed businesses, professional partnerships, large insurance network providers and wealthy individuals adds: “We have always enjoyed long-term, loyal clients with some relationships lasting up to 100 years or more. A prime example of this is St. Bridget Nurseries who have been with Haines Watts since the beginning. Clients like how we do business, how we get involved and are always readily available with expert advice when they need it.”
Founded in 1925, St Bridget Nurseries is a fourth-generation family business, with garden centres, in Old Rydon Road, Exeter and Sidmouth Road, Clyst St Mary. The company propagate and grow over 90% of the garden plants it sells. Over the years St Bridget Nurseries has grown and there are now two garden centres in the Exeter area; one next to the nursery in Old Rydon Lane and one on the Sidmouth Road at Clyst St Mary which is also home to the company’s growing aquatic department. Both garden centres provide good old-fashioned service and have a cafe offering delicious food and drinks.
Tammy Falloon, Managing Director at St Bridget Nurseries comments: “As a family-run company, it is critical that we surround ourselves with experts in their field, to enable our company to stay strong in the challenging retail sector we are in. Haines Watts has provided both business and private accounting services to our family for decades. We value the approachable and professional conduct of all the team and know that they are just a phone call away, should we have any queries.”
www.hwca.com/accountants-exeter
