Accountancy firm announces new managing director

A WEST Midlands accountancy firm has announced a change in managing director.

Harrison Beale & Owen, which has offices in Coventry and Leamington, said Mark Ashfield would assume the role in the first quarter of the year, succeeding Rob Kendall, who will take up a new post as chairman.

Mr Ashfield, 45, who specialises in audit, cloud accounting and charities, joined the company 15 years ago from Grant Thornton. He became a partner in 2006.

Mr Kendall has been with the business for more than 30 years, and has seen it grow from a staff of eight to 85, offering a range of specialist support.

The new management structure will see Ashfield taking on the day-to-day running of the business, with support from his director colleagues and strategic counsel from Kendall.

Mr Ashfield said: “I am taking over as managing director with the company in its strongest-ever position. Both our offices are thriving and we have recently added a range of services to extend our offering.

“We have ambitious plans for the future including expanding our Virtual Financial Office services, and helping businesses with the transformation to Digital Tax which will be a growing area of our business as that deadline draws near.”

Mr Kendall said: “Mark has played a leading role in the development of the company over the last few years and, alongside the team we have built, will take it from strength to strength.

“I have every confidence that HB&O will continue to thrive under Mark’s leadership and I’m looking forward to being able to concentrate on strategic developments which will help pave the way for future growth.”