Appointment of new Director

Haines Watts Bristol has announced the promotion of Conor O’Sullivan to company director as the firm continues to implement its future management strategy.

Mr O’Sullivan, aged 30, joins four other directors in the management team at the city centre SME accountancy specialist.

The appointment was announced by Matthew Bracher, managing partner of Haines Watts Bristol, following his own election to the company’s national board last month.

Mr Bracher said that Mr O’Sullivan’s appointment, alongside the arrival of Andrew Jordan as company director in July 2022, strengthens the leadership of the Bristol office during this period of transition and future growth.

“This appointment reflects the commitment and dedication that Conor has demonstrated within the firm,” he said. “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.

“This appointment is key for the future and represents another large step in our 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.”

Mr O’Sullivan’s promotion comes 13 months after he was appointed associate director at the firm, and just over a decade since he gave up the dream of being a professional footballer.

A place on the academy at Southampton FC preceded 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.

After starting in accountancy in 2015, Mr O’Sullivan has worked with Haines Watts Bristol for the past seven years.

“I’m proud to be one of the youngest directors in the Haines Watts group,” he said, “and I’m 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 last 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.”

In Bristol alone, an office of some 55 staff is seeing turnover increase by around 20 per cent to a forecast annual turnover of £4.7 during this tax year. Previously, rapid expansion saw staff numbers from 20 to 55 in just five years, with turnover trebling during the same period.

The company is forging a reputation for promoting young talent, having recently established a scheme with St Brendan’s College to recruit and train up to four new apprentices each year straight out of sixth form.

“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,” said Conor. “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.”