4 minute read
CHESTER & NORTH WALES NEWS
Advertisement
George Wood of Bennett Brooks & Co Ltd has been appointed Chairman of the Chester & North Wales Society of Chartered Accounts for the year 2021/22.
He takes the reins from Sue Harris of Champion (Chester), and in doing so, George makes history being the youngest ever Chartered Accountant to be appointed as Chairman of the Society.
George qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Mazars LLP in Liverpool before transferring to New York where he worked across the audit and transaction services teams for listed entities. George joined Bennett Brooks & Co Ltd in April 2017 and runs an audit portfolio of local and national audit clients as well as supporting several North West businesses to float on the London Stock Market.
With offices in Llandudno, Chester and Northwich, and other offices outside of the region, Bennett Brooks & Co Ltd is one of the leading independent practices and George is looking forward to sharing his experiences with businesses and society members. George will continue to support the Society’s members in Cheshire & North Wales, which is the local branch for the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants and we have always had a very close relationship there.
His primary role will be to oversee the delivery of a range of services for members as well as representing the interests of Chartered Accountants within the wider business community.
He will be supported in this role by an active committee of members from other accountancy practices in the region, and of course from the LSCA.
George noted:
“The ICAEW and the Liverpool Society have been a great support over the recent challenging times and to be given the opportunity to become the youngest Chairman of the Chester & North Wales Society is an honour, and I shall be ensuring that locally we deliver support to our members. In such unprecedented times, my hope is that, along with my fellow society members, we have the opportunity to add value to the firms and accountants in the region.”
Matthew Ryan appointed as Director, McEwan Wallace, Wirral
“I’m excited about this new opportunity and keen to help move the firm forward in these challenging times. My clients have always been my main focus and supporting them now is my priority. I am proud to be part of a firm that puts client care and staff wellbeing at the heart of everything they do. It’s a real privilege to work here and to now be a bigger part of that picture”
McEwan Wallace has announced the appointment of Matthew Ryan as a new Director, to help support the continued growth of the firm.
Matthew, previously a manager at the firm for 20 years’, is an expert in external audit and VAT. He also provides specialist advice to the franchise sector.
Commenting on the new role, Managing Director Alastair Gould said “We are delighted to have Matthew on board - He deserves this opportunity. He is loved by our clients and will be a real asset. We have always been a progressive firm and welcoming Matthew as a director can only bolster our approach.”
Matthew added “I’m excited about this new opportunity and keen to help move the firmforward in these challenging times. My clients have always beenmy main focus and supporting them now is my priority. I am proud to be part of a firm that puts client care and staff wellbeing at the heart of everything they do. It’s a real privilege to work here and to now be a bigger part of that picture.”
McEwan Wallace has seen unprecedented staff growth over the last year, including five new appointments and five promotions at their Argyle Street office in Birkenhead.
INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW RYAN
Congratulations on becoming a director!
Q: What made you decide to make the leap from manager to director?
I joined the firm 20 years’ ago and never looked back! It has always been like an extended family to me, with genuine care and consideration - not just for clients, but staff too. The MW values are in line with my own, so naturally I am thrilled to be part of the decision-making process to help build on the success that has already been achieved.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in your new role?
My main focus has always been client satisfaction and as a firm we go above and beyond to help our clients. Given the COVID crisis businesses need us, now more than ever, to guide them through and that will be my main focus initially.
Q: What will you bring to your new role
I am a specialist in Audit and VAT, I also head up our Franchise team which I hope to expand further. I will also be involved in our customer care programme, which has always been a key element in our success.
Q: How has COVID altered your perception on life and business?
We always knew we had the best and most dedicated staff, but Lockdown has highlighted just how true this is. We are like a family and because we look after our staff they have really worked tirelessly for us, and their clients. They feel a personal sense of responsibility, for every client, and that type of commitment and dedication is rare to find.
