Hampshire accountants HWB have promoted Nick Whitemore to Associate Director, a little over a year after he joined the practice.

Nick is the latest of three colleagues at Chandlers Ford-based HWB to progress from Business Advisor to associate level in the past 18 months. He will work closely with clients who seek accounts, advice and tax services including individuals, owner-managed businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Nick has been working across HWB’s client base, particularly SMEs, as a Senior Business Adviser since he arrived from top ten regional accountancy group Azets in October 2022.

“Time has flown by,” said Nick, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants who has more than a decade of post-qualification experience. “It’s great to be part of the HWB team. Everyone is enthusiastic about providing the best for our clients while winning new business too."

“I’ll still be very much involved on the client side, growing relationships, but I’m delighted to have been afforded this opportunity to step up. I’m very excited about the challenge.”

Among the responsibilities of his new role, Southampton-born Nick will attend monthly directors’ meetings and work more closely with the ten-strong board led by Tracy Jenkins, Managing Director.

Tracy said:

“Since joining us, Nick has demonstrated and applied his skills, insight and professional experience for our clients’ benefit."

“We are always looking to promote and encourage growth amongst our team and Nick’s promotion forms part of our overall company strategy based around the strength of our business advice services.”

Nick’s promotion comes as SMEs and other businesses continue to face challenges and uncertainties caused by the ‘cost-of-doing-business’ crisis, characterised by high borrowing costs, energy bills and other pressures on the bottom line.

Nick said: “Whoever is in government after the prospective general election this year, I suspect we will see even more change to the business environment coming over the horizon."

“Because of that, it remains crucial for businesses to stay in touch with their professional advisers and secure the best financial and tax management plans to underpin their operational activities and investment programmes.”

Nick, who has an honours degree in Business & Finance from Southampton Solent University, lives in Eastleigh. Away from work, he enjoys scuba diving, travelling and music.

Chartered accountants HWB, headquartered at Chandler’s Ford, near Southampton, provide business and tax advice.