Top 30 accountancy firm

are using their centenary year to position their business for the future.

Starting in Torbay in 1919, it is no question that the historic values of the business have paramount significance to the firm, which is now the 29th largest firm in the UK by turnover, with 370 staff across seven offices in the West Midlands and South West.

But as it continues its year-on-year growth, the centenary has become much more than a historic date. The centenary has been a year-long programme of activity which is central to the ethos of how the firm shapes itself, not just for the foreseeable future but for the next 100-years.

Focusing on its relationships and business connections, as well as its membership of Kreston International, is helping the firm evolve from a regional practise to an increasingly national and internationally focused one.

Its strategy to use the centenary to position the business for the future has brough about transformational changes in many ways. At the start of the year, the business rebranded, evolving a fresh corporate image, signalling its ambitions and values. The rebrand has underpinned a new intranet for its internal communications, a redesigned website, and an investment in its social media and video content.

It’s ‘one firm’ culture has seen its connections and relationships develop not only externally but internally, with staff engaging across all offices to support one another in their individual and group fundraising activities.

At the heart of its centenary plans was a pledge to raise £100,000 – a target they smashed in just six months, with the total amount continuing to grow. As Ian Smith, Bishop Fleming’s Chair and colead for Corporate Social Responsibility added: “Rather than raise £100,000 for just one charity or cause, to encourage our people to engage in our activities, we’ve allowed them to raise funds for causes which are personal to them. As a result, we’ve generated nearly 3,000 donations, from over 100 activities, which will benefit over 60 charities.”

The firm believes that its ‘giving back’ and ‘one team’ culture will enable Bishop Fleming to become a dominant and nationally focussed practise, whilst supporting the regions, communities and clients that sustain the firm.

The 31-partner firm have seen the likes of management, all the way down to trainees taking part in extreme fundraising activities. The firm came together in March as title partner of the Bath Half Marathon where it fielded 120 entrants – the largest corporate team in the history of the 13.1 mile race. In June the firm joined together again, where four teams endure the National Three Peaks challenge.

The firm has ambitious growth plans too and has seen its headcount grow by 10 per cent in the last 12-months alone. Central to this has been the launch of Launchpad – its new Apprenticeship scheme – designed to offer yet more accounting career routes to candidates. As a result, this year the business has recruited a record number of trainees, a mixture of school leavers and graduates.

The firm have so far raised over £100,000 for 60 charities throughout its 100th year, taking part in activities such as The Bath Half Marathon and the Three Peaks Challenge.