New boss and office on the south coast for Smith & Williamson

SMITH & WILLIAMSON’S south coast office has appointed a new managing partner and moved office, marking major change at the firm.

Andrew Edmonds (pictured left) is named new managing partner for the office, with long-serving chief Richard Green (pictured right) making way after ten years in the role. Edmonds joined the firm as a graduate trainee in 1994, and was promoted to head of assurance and business services in Southampton in 2011.

The office move has seen 55 staff move from to Cumberland House, after ten years at nearby Imperial Park.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for us and forms part of a long-term investment strategy into the Southampton office,” said Edmonds. “Our new offices at Cumberland House provide an excellent platform for the next phase of our growth and the modern office design delivers an excellent working environment for the whole team.

“Richard has done a fantastic job as managing partner, guiding us through somewhat challenging economic conditions over the past ten years. It is a real honour for me to take over at this point in time.”

Three new appointments have also been named in assurance and business services: Rachel Hardy joins as a director; Mark Munro is named senior manager; and Leanne Birch is appointed senior business development manager. Jamie Lane was recently promoted to audit director, having been an associate director, senior audit manager and corporate finance manager in Southampton.

Green, who will continue to be an audit partner at the firm, said: “It has been my privilege to lead the Southampton office for the last ten years. All good businesses have succession planning and, as a key part of that, Andrew has all the qualities and capabilities required to lead our dynamic office into a new era.”

Smith & Williamson is ranked eighth in the 2016 Top 50+50 Survey, supported by Sage, with £221.5m in fee income for the y/e 30/04/16.