2 May 2017
Press ReleasesJames Cowper Kreston, one of the leading firms of accountants and business advisers in the Thames Valley and Southern England, has announced the appointment of four new partners.
The promotions of Darren O’Connor, Stuart Williams and James Pitt and the new appointment of Louise Hallsworth brings the total number of partners at the firm to 18, taking effect from 1 May 2017.
Commenting on the recent appointments, Robert Holland, Managing Partner of James Cowper Kreston, said: “I would like to congratulate Darren, Stuart and James on their well-deserved promotions and for their outstanding contributions to the firm’s growth over the years. Their appointments are testament to our succession planning and the firm’s strategy of recruiting from within where at all possible.
“I am also delighted to extend a warm welcome to Louise Hallsworth who brings a wealth of experience to James Cowper Kreston. These appointments are a continuation of our five-year growth plan to strengthen the firm’s ability to provide individual clients and businesses with the best accountancy and business advisory services in the Thames Valley and Southern England.”
Audit and Assurance Partner Darren O’Connor, based in Reading, joined the firm in 2006 and acts for a wide portfolio of largely corporate clients, including owner-managed businesses and subsidiaries of overseas parent companies. He is also a part of the firm’s specialist Charities and Education team acting for a large number of such clients.
Corporate Finance Partner Stuart Williams, who operates across the Thames Valley and Solent regions, joined James Cowper Kreston in 2003 and joined the firm’s Corporate Finance team in 2007. During this time Stuart has built considerable experience in advising businesses on M&A activity, MBOs and financial modelling. Stuart was shortlisted as Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year (under 35 years old) at the 2017 Thames Valley Deal Awards.
Audit and Assurance Partner James Pitt, based in Oxford, joined the firm in 2006 and works with a broad range of clients, which include corporate clients, start-ups, owner managed businesses, publicly listed and international companies. James also provides specialist advice to technology and manufacturing industry clients.
Audit and Assurance Partner Louise Hallsworth, based in Southampton, joins James Cowper Kreston from Clifford Fry & Co LLP. She qualified with KPMG and has extensive experience of working with growing SME businesses. She also acts for a number of charities and academies and will join the firm’s specialist Charites and Education team.
With offices in Reading, Newbury, Henley, Oxford, Southampton and London, James Cowper Kreston has a client base of over 5000 businesses and private individuals. The firm is also a member of Kreston International, the global network of independent accountants and business advisers and ideally placed to provide informed local, national and international advice.
