Accountancy firm plans to double its staff

SOUTH West accountancy and wealth management firm Old Mill has announced an ambitious fiveyear growth plan which aims to double staff numbers to more than 600.

Old Mill, which currently employs 320 people from its four offices in Chippenham, Exeter, Wells and Yeovil, has undergone a major restructure which brings all aspects of the business together into a single multiservice advisory firm.

A new structure and streamlined board will, the firm says, enable faster decision making to help enable Old Mill achieve ambitious growth plans of 15% growth per annum for the next five years to become the fastest growing professional practice in the Westcountry.

Kevin Whitmarsh – currently head of accountancy – has been appointed new chief executive while current managing director Ian Carlson becomes chief finance officer. A new chairman and two non-executive directors will also be appointed to provide external leadership and management support.

Old Mill’s “open door” policy will continue, meaning talented, hardworking people who share Old Mill’s “people-centric culture” will be welcomed into the firm – with all staff able to choose between home, office or hybrid working - while trainee intakes will take place twice a year – in March and September.

Old Mill’s career development culture under the new structure aims to open up more opportunities for people within the business and make it easier to introduce new shareholders, both via internal promotions and through external appointments.

There will also be greater financial rewards on offer to help attract and retain talent, and the potential for external candidates with established teams to collectively join Old Mill.

Staff at Old Mill already receive a range of benefits, including a bonus scheme, an extra day’s holiday for their birthday and cash valued WOW points for doing good things, and the firm’s flexible working policy means staff can choose whether they work permanently from home, are fully office based, or a mixture of the two.

Old Mill also runs social events, and each office has a “head” whose role is to encourage collaboration and engagement amongst the teams and support Old Mill’s work within the community.

Old Mill offers staff, support in terms of career progression, including running a “buddy system” where more senior, experienced members of the team support junior staff in their development. This is in addition to offering funding for professional training and exams.

Kevin Whitmarsh, chief executive of Old Mill, said: “Under our new structure, with our new growth plan in place, staff will be able to progress even quicker, with greater incentive programmes for those who help drive growth, but there will be no pressure to return to the office, meaning staff can work from where they like, enabling us to ensure our people feel happy and valued at work, and are rewarded for the part they play in Old Mill’s exciting and ambitious journey.”