For more than 30 years, Westcotts has been supporting family-run businesses working in all sectors of industry across the Westcountry. It’s the mainstay of everything the firm stands for – helping to support and guide businesses as well as individuals, offering a team of 34 partners and 250 team members at the heart of their local communities.
However large or small, Westcotts’ unrivalled knowledge combined with their depth and breadth of experience and expertise across the firm means we can provide a complete holistic approach.
Whether it is general accounting and tax planning, financial planning, succession, raising finance, auditing and tax compliance, business recovery or digital, clients can be confident Westcotts has a service to meet their every need.
“Here in Plymouth, for example, we have a team of people who are on-hand to collaborate with their clients,” says Adam Croney, Westcotts’ partner. “We value our relationships. We share their ambitions to help them grow and progress while providing a whole raft of help and support, as well as looking after all their business and personal needs.”
“What we feel makes us unique is that we really get under the skin of their businesses and understand their priorities and plans for the future. Working together with our clients and putting their requirements at the front and centre of everything we do means that we can help them to reach their goals,” Adam adds.
Westcotts’ client base is incredibly diverse – the firm has sector specific specialist teams from agriculture, charities, education, and hospitality to manufacturing and renewables. The firm’s client base reflects the diversity of the South West’s business community, and the team understands that specialist businesses need specialist support.
The firm also recognises that there has been an exponential growth in the marine sector in Plymouth in recent years. According to Plymouth City Council, it is estimated to generate around £400 million a year for the local economy with the sector directly employing around 7,500 people in the city.
“Combined with this is the support for Plymouth and South Devon’s Freeport status,” says Adam. The government announced its full business case approval for the city to become a Freeport in December last year.
“The marine sector is going from strength to strength in the region and Plymouth is well placed to be part of that significant contribution that marine plays in the local and regional economy.”
The team at Westcotts have been working with clients in the sector for several years and Adam says they’re proud of the firm’s association with businesses operating in this arena, “We have experience of working with clients in the marine industry including SM Group (Europe), Bluestone Technology and Atlantic Workboats and we’re really excited about the opportunities that the Freeport status will provide. We hope it will help to generate thousands of new jobs.”
Westcotts has experience of working with clients at all stages of their journey and has a dedicated corporate finance team led by Alison Watts to further assist businesses with their growth plans.
Alison has worked with directors and business owners advising on all manner of matters including start-ups, expansion plans and exit strategies.
Alison says, “Our style is to take a real hands-on approach, taking the time to properly understand the needs and concerns of clients, giving advice and support every step of the way, while proactively managing each project.”
Westcotts’ clients operate in local, national, and international markets. “We really understand the issues that business owners face and we offer a full suite of advice that’s relevant and bespoke to each client. It’s that personal partner-led service that I think people value most of all,” Alison adds.
With a network of offices across Devon and Somerset, Westcotts rivals some of its larger competitors.
Shona Godefroy, managing partner says, “We have evolved over the years. We are a forward-thinking firm, investing in our teams and embracing innovation and new technology while never losing our personal approach.”
Over the last three decades a lot has changed for Westcotts, but one thing remains the same says Shona, “The way we stay committed to the South West’s communities and thousands of clients, who rely on us as business advisers.”
For more information about Westcotts, visit www.westcotts.uk
