DJH appoints new lead to drive Altrincham growth

DJH, the North West-based accountancy and professional services firms, has appointed Colette Lennon to lead growth at its Altrincham office.

The private equity-backed firm said Lennon will focus on expanding local networks and offering additional services, including specialist tax and estate planning and dedicated HR support.

Lennon has set a target of increasing revenues at the Altrincham office by 10% to £2.4m in her first year. She also aims to support business owners, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and academy schools, which have long been among the firm’s clients.

Lennon said: “I’m a firm believer in taking time to understand exactly what businesses and individuals need from us. We were good at this before, but we’re now going to be even better, and the reality is companies and organisations need a professional services partner they can really rely on to cut through the complicated maze of government policy changes and economic uncertainty.”

She added: “There is so much more we can be doing in Altrincham and Hale, and we’re relishing the opportunity to become part of the business fabric of the area.”

Lennon, who is fluent in French, began her career in Brussels before returning to Ireland to complete her accountancy qualifications and work in her family’s practice. She moved to South Manchester in 2015 and spent eight years as client director at Bennett Brooks.

She said she wants to raise DJH’s local profile by encouraging staff to engage with the community through volunteering and mentoring. The firm is among the first in the region to pilot the Wise Up mentoring scheme, which provides work experience and development opportunities to young people with special educational needs.

Chief operating officer James Beardmore said: “It is great to have Colette on board. She has a real passion for delivering the best possible service for clients and creating the best possible working environment for our team. This, I’m sure, will position our Altrincham office as go-to partners for business owners and private clients in South Manchester.”

DJH has made 13 acquisitions in four years, growing to a team of 640 across the North West, Yorkshire, Midlands and the South East.

The Altrincham office, located on Ashley Road in Hale, joined the group in September 2023. It provides audit, accounting, tax, estate planning and business advisory services to SMEs, larger businesses and private clients, with sector specialisms in education, property, manufacturing and the not-for-profit sector.