HAMPSHIRE accountancy firm HWB has promoted former associate director James Flood to its board.

The move is in recognition of James' strengths in providing accounts, audit and taxation services for his clients.

They include SMEs and owner-managed businesses in a range of sectors, as well as academy schools, across Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset.

James, 33, joined HWB as a trainee in 2007 and gained his chartered (ACA) qualification in 2013. Since then he has progressed through the firm, and became an associate director in 2020.

His latest promotion brings the number of directors on HWB’s board to eleven.

James said: “Joining the board is a great opportunity to contribute even more to HWB’s success and future progress.

“It also means more responsibility for me personally as an ambassador for the firm seeking to maintain and grow our excellent reputation among current and prospective clients.

“Our clients have been emerging from one period of uncertainty caused by the pandemic and are going straight into another, characterised by rising inflation and the impact of war in Ukraine on supply chains and the costs of materials and components.

“It is an important time for us at HWB to be right there in the mix to help our clients manage and plan their finances and business plans.”

James also paid tribute to the support he has had from HWB during his career. He said: "The influence of colleagues and peers at HWB has supported my development all the way through my time at HWB.

“We are all committed to our clients and pride ourselves on the personal touch, working directly with business owners and being a trusted advisor for them.”

Welcoming James to the board, Geoff Rhodes, managing director at HWB, said: “This promotion is very much deserved and we are confident that James will continue to shape and support our progress through his new position.

“It is a matter of considerable satisfaction for us to be able to promote a long-standing colleague to our board.”

James grew up in Chandler's Ford, not far from HWB’s current office, and now lives in Hedge End with his wife Kerry and sons Jude, five, and Ellis, two.

Outside work, James is a keen sportsman playing golf as a member of Stoneham Golf Club, and also playing five a side football on a regular basis.

Often involved with charities supported by HWB, James has proved he is prepared to get stuck in and dig deep when needed.

Last year, he was one half of a two-man HWB team that completed a 10-mile Tough Mudder obstacle course.

The challenge raised more than £1,000 for Abby’s Heroes, a charity that supports children, teenagers, young adults and their families living with a cancer diagnosis.

James also completed the 3 Peaks Challenge in 2018, raising money for The Murray Parish Trust, and in October 2022 he will be running his first London Marathon in support of Wessex Cancer Trust.