‘We see continuing confidence across the client base’

ACTIVITY We had excellent results in 2023 with significant improvements in trading activity and revenue across our fastgrowing Professional Services business. Our full-year operating income in 2023 increased 14.6% through strong organic growth and new service lines. 2023 was a year of substantial change for our Irish operations. A key piece was personnel changes, with a number of senior partners retiring during the year. With new talent coming through and successfully executing the 2023 part of our strategic plan, we expect that 2024 will continue our strong growth.

The key drivers of our performance were built on the back of strong operational efficiency and client service, leveraging on our Ireland and UK integrated model and resources. Last year saw significant new audit engagements and business outsource projects, as well as strong continued growth in public sector contracts and engagements.

CHALLENGES Talent remains a key sectoral challenge for the profession. Our approach at Evelyn Partners is to deliver an exceptional work environment with opportunities to work with great clients across both Ireland and the UK. We are always mindful of the power of technology but also the importance of personal contact and building relationships, which new clients often mention as one of their change triggers when they come to us.

PROFESSION The need for accountants to be best in class in the use of technology is unarguable. This takes many forms, from AI to robotics, and data analytics to cyber security. It is ever more important to understand and interpret technology outputs and, importantly, to have the ability to translate this to actionable information. The most successful accountants will be able to combine both.

OUTLOOK We have seen high levels of confidence in our clients with a continued appetite for growth and investment. In 2023, transaction activity remained strong, with exits and company sales progressing and achieving good multiples. Looking to 2024 and beyond, we see continuing confidence across the client base, with those businesses exposed to the consumer sector pivoting their models to maintain profitability and growth.