Financial and professional services group Smith& Williamson has announced a number of strategic management changes in its Bristol office. 

Nigel Hardy becomes managing partner of the office’s professional services business in succession to Carl Deane, who has decided to stand down after three years in the role. 

An experienced audit and advisory professional, Nigel joined Smith& Williamson in 2018 from RSM, where he was a client service partner, and was appointed head of Assurance and Business Services (ABS) at Smith &Williamson’s Bristol office last year.  

He has a wealth of experience advising high growth and established businesses across a range of sectors including manufacturing, distribution, financial services, professional practices and charities. 

Kelly Jones, who became a partner at Smith & Williamson last year, having joined in 2006 on the graduate scheme, is the new head of ABS in Bristol. 

Kelly advises clients including entrepreneurial businesses in the engineering, construction, hospitality and leisure, food and beverage, technology and creative sectors. She also has strong international links and advises several businesses with an overseas presence. 

Meanwhile Zoe Thomas will head up a combined business and personal tax team in Bristol, with current head of personal tax Louise Somerset continuing to manage her portfolio of private clients as a partner. 

Zoe, who joined Smith & Williamson from EY in 2017, specialises in advising property and construction, retail and outsourcing businesses on tax and business affairs, with a particular focus on complex real estate transactions. 

Finally, Amanda Browning takes over as head of financial services with current head Nick James focusing on managing his existing client portfolio. 

Amanda joined the Bristol office in September 2019 and has significant experience in providing holistic financial advice to individuals, corporates and trustees. Areas of expertise include wealth protection, retirement planning and investment structuring, and has a particular interest in advising on complex tax and succession planning. 

“I’m delighted to be taking over responsibility for the strategic direction of the professional services business in one of the largest offices in the region in this sector,” says Nigel Hardy. 

“These changes will strengthen and simplify our management structure at a time of uncertainty and disruption in the market and I look forward to building on the huge strides we have made under Carl’s leadership. 

“Smith & Williamson is the trusted adviser for privately-owned, entrepreneurial businesses in Bristol and the West of England, and these strategic changes will help to ensure that we continue to deliver on that promise.”  

Nigel Hardy added that as the coronavirus crisis unfolds, Smith & Williamson continues to work to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all its stakeholders, including staff, clients and third parties.  

“The Covid-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on all our lives, both personal and professional. There is no roadmap for the current situation but we believe that timely and targeted advice can make a difference, and that there are a number of ways in which we can help.  

“We have launched our Covid-19 hub as a starting point to answer businesses’ key questions and this includes an interactive guide to help companies and the self-employed to navigate the different financial and tax measures which are available.” 

Smith & Williamson’s Covid-19 interactive guide can be accessed at https://smithandwilliamson.com/en/insights-landing/covid-19-hub/covid-19-interactive-guide/