Westcotts hires 11 new team members in Plymouth

Westcotts has appointed 11 new members of staff, four of which are on a three-year apprenticeship, to its Plymouth office on Longbridge Road, Marsh Mills. 

The apprentices, Ben Perry, Ben Watt, Maddie Cooper and Brooke Morey, join the firm while continuing their studies at Accountancy Learning Ltd, in Plymouth. They joined the firm from local schools after studying for their A-Levels and are all working towards their AAT or ATT qualifications. 

In addition, Tom Roberts, a chartered accountant that joined from Dartmoor Zoo where he was head of finance and director of finance for several years, recently started in the Plymouth office as a corporate manager. 

Roberts brings with him experience in running family businesses, as well as expertise in the charity and non-profit sector. At Westcotts, he will use his financial knowledge to manage a portfolio of clients, as part of the business services’ team and help further develop the firm’s digital technologies.

Emma Mills joins the firm as an audit manager and will support a range of large corporate clients. Her audit and assurance experience comes from her previous roles in other accountancy firms. She also holds specialist expertise in the charity and non-profit sector.

Meanwhile, Alex Tozer has been recruited as a graduate trainee after spending the last 16 years working in the hospitality sector at a senior level. Tozer will be re-training as a chartered accountant with Westcotts, following his previous role as chief operating officer for the Ainsworth Collection in Cornwall.

Charlotte Carroll and Maisie Watts, who are both AAT qualified, also join the firm and will support Westcotts’ clients working in several different sectors, on a range of accounting and tax matters. Watts will continue her chartered studies with Westcotts.

Finally, Liberty Gleeson and Shannon Glaysher are part AAT qualified and will continue studying while working at the firm.

Adam Croney, partner, and digital services team leader in the Plymouth office at Westcotts, said: “We are really getting 2023 off to a strong start with the appointment of eleven new members of staff at Westcotts. It is exciting to see the team go from strength to strength and the continued growth of the firm, as well as the Plymouth office, particularly over the last twelve months and since the company’s rebrand.

“It is vital for the future success of the firm to recruit, nurture and retain talented individuals here in the South West. While we have made some senior appointments, we must also invest in and grow our existing team for their career development.”

Simon Irvin, head of HR for Westcotts, added: “What sets us apart as a firm is the importance that we place on career progression for our employees. We offer excellent training opportunities and career pathways where people can join us as an apprentice, we support their studies, and they work their way up the firm. 

“A recent example of this was the promotion to director for one of our team members who joined us straight after leaving school. We can provide a good grounding for people in all areas of accountancy, taxation, and business advice.”