First Female Partner in its 150 Years

By RACHEL COLES

Rachel Coles ACCA, manager of Haswells Chartered Accountants on the Wrexham Technology Park, has been appointed the first female Partner in the company’s 150-year history. Haswells began life in the late 1800s and has consistently remained within and around Wrexham.

“Throughout our 150 year history, whilst we have kept abreast of advancements and bring a contemporary methodology to our services, there has never been a female Partner. We are proud and delighted that Rachel has broken our glass ceiling and we wish her well in her new role,” commented Tony Thomas FCA, Partner of Haswells. Rachel started her career with Haswells in 2005 as a Trainee Accountant, quickly qualifying as an AAT in 2008 and ATT in 2013, rising to the position of manager in 2019. Rachel continued to work to ACCA, passing her final exams earlier this year.

Rachel commented:

“While the finance industry has moved on apace during the last century, my appointment proves that women can have top roles within firms, even if this has never happened previously. I have worked towards this role for a long time and I am honoured that my Partnership cements my place in Haswells’ history and its future. It means a lot to me that the current partners believe I am the right person to take the firm forwards and clients can be reassured that business will continue as usual.”

Rachel concluded, “Haswells is very important to me as it is all I have ever known and it’s in my blood! I want to be able to give back to the company and plan to invest in trainee accountants as this is where I started nearly 20 years ago.”

Rachel’s partnership will compliment the existing partnership between Tony Thomas FCA and Paul Harris BSc FCA, both of whom have been in their positions since 1978 and 1988 respectively. “Paul and I have lived through a number of changes – both economically and within Haswells – but one thing we have never lost sight of is the service we provide to our clients. By appointing Rachel as an additional Partner, we are future-proofing Haswells for the years to come,” commented Tony.

Paul continued:

“Our promise is to provide businesses and individuals with the highest quality accounting, tax planning and business advisory services by a professional team that clearly enjoys working together. By supporting Rachel’s development throughout her time with us as a Trainee Accountant to Partner, we wish to demonstrate we have full confidence in Rachel and her ability to manage our wide range of clients and the team into the future.” accountancy contributor is Rachel Coles of Haswells Chartered Accountants Tel: 01978 351 501 r.coles@haswellsllp.com