Big four firm announces two new partners for South West

Financial services firm Deloitte has appointed two new partners in its Bristol office as part of the firm’s annual round of promotions.

Samantha Bates has been promoted to associate partner, and Dave Smith has been promoted to partner – both are in Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance team based in Bristol.

Bates has 15 years’ experience leading and coordinating audit engagements for private markets companies across a range of sectors, including professional practices and consumer businesses. She studied at Oxford University before joining Deloitte in 2008, becoming a leader of the firm’s private markets focused audit team based in the South West.

Bates is experienced in supporting businesses through periods of change, such as being acquired or preparing for IPOs.

She said: “I am delighted to take up the role of associate partner and look forward to continuing to lead our work in the region with privately owned businesses and partnerships. Many of the companies we work with are operating in challenging and changing markets and Deloitte has the opportunity to make a real difference to their businesses.”

Smith, who is part of Deloitte’s Financial Services team, joined Deloitte in 2021 and has 17 years of audit and assurance experience working with a variety of insurers and lending institutions in the South West, including public interest entities.

He said: “I am looking forward to continuing to engage with the wide network of local and global companies in the South West. As our team continues to grow, and I am excited by the opportunities ahead and for me as a new partner at Deloitte.”

In addition to the partner promotions, Deloitte as also announced director promotions at its South West practice. These include Jerry Dillon (Transaction Services); Andrew Fry (Consulting); Tim Gotsell (Audit & Assurance); Laura Hosgood (Audit & Assurance); Sarah Howes (Consulting); Paul Mercer (Consulting); Alison Osborne (Tax & Legal) and Will Smith (Tax & Legal) having all been promoted to the position of director.

Deloitte, which has more than 700 people based out of its Bristol office, has made 161 promotions in total across all grades in the last 12 months and has also welcomed seven new apprentices on Deloitte’s award-winning Brightstart scheme.

Dave Tansley, practice senior partner for Deloitte in the South West, said: “I would like to congratulate Dave and Sam on their promotion to partner, and to acknowledge all of our colleagues who have been promoted in our South West practice. Both Dave and Sam are respected leaders in the audit and assurance sector, and I know they will both be active in continuing to grow this part of Deloitte’s business in the region.

“We continue to prioritise creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. I am excited by our imminent office move to the Halo building in Finzels Reach – it promises to be an inspiring place for our people to work as the business grows and demonstrates our continued investment in Bristol”.