Cheltenham accountancy firm eyes ambitious growth and recruitment expansion

Bishop Fleming moved into its new Cheltenham office on North Place just seven months ago and is growing rapidly with several successful recruitment wins for its Gloucestershire team.

Last month, the firm also announced 27 internal promotions, including four new directors, and was re-certified as a Great Place to Work, upholding the firm's commitment to investing in its people and creating a thriving, positive workplace for its employees.

Bishop Fleming has also rapid growth in its audit work, with rolling 12-month fee growth of over 25 per cent.  And to build on this record growth, it has recently welcomed new audit director, Jamie Vinall, to its Cheltenham office.

Ross-on-Wye-born Jamie studied accounting and finance at Plymouth University, completing his training contract at Hazlewoods in 2017, before moving to KPMG in Birmingham and progressing to audit senior manager.

He then signed his contract with Bishop Fleming before taking an eight-month career break to travel around the world with his wife, returning to Cheltenham and going straight into his new role at the firm as it opened its brand-new office in the old Chapel Spa building in North Place.

Jamie joined Bishop Fleming in a pivotal year for the firm. It is currently ranked fifth in the Accountancy Age Mid-Tier Power Index and is also the largest provider of audit services to multi-academy trusts in the academy sector. 

It now has eight offices, spanning the West Midlands to the south west, 43 partners and nearly 500 staff. 

Bishop Fleming is also recognised as a Responsible Business through its membership of Business In The Community — a leading responsible business network of organisations in the UK — making its dedication to staff wellbeing and the environment a top priority in its annual business strategies.

On joining the company, Jamie said: 'I am looking forward to meeting as many of my colleagues as possible within my first few months at Bishop Fleming. I plan on travelling between the Bristol and Worcester offices when I am not in Cheltenham, to ensure I can network and liaise with the wider Bishop Fleming community.

'I am passionate about driving a team ethos amongst the audit teams I work with, so knowing and understanding colleagues of all levels is paramount to success.'

Jamie's experience with some of the biggest financial firms in the UK will bring an extra boost to Bishop Fleming's growth this year.

Jamie commented: 'Having worked with some high-profile audited entities and larger corporates, I will look to work closely with businesses to enhance their audit process and develop efficiencies and improvements in their financial processes.

'Gloucestershire is a thriving area for business with many new and existing businesses growing and developing. It has such a diverse pool of businesses and I look forward to networking and seeking opportunities.'

And Jamie's final nugget of auditing advice to clients?  'Take your time to gather reliable information, whilst leaning on professional advice to make brave, calculated business decisions.'

Bishop Fleming offers full services across a diverse range of sectors, from owner-managed businesses, SMEs and large businesses, to entrepreneurs and private individuals.

To get in touch for your business needs, call (01242) 505970 or visit bishopfleming.co.uk/contact/cheltenham.