Paul Stringer becomes new managing partner at Cowgills

Managing partner Paul Stansfield has stepped down after twenty years leading the North West business advisory and accountancy firm. He has handed over the reins to fellow partner Paul Stringer who has worked within the company’s corporate finance team since 2000 and who also leads the company’s focus on growing and entrepreneurial businesses.

Paul Stansfield, who has been with the firm for over thirty years, has had a highly successful tenure, overseeing it`s development as one of the regions’ leading advisors – the firm has seen 65% growth in the last five years alone. He stepped into the role of managing partner following Peter Cowgill’s move to JD Sports in 2000.

Stansfield will continue to act as an advisory partner for a number of key clients and continue to head the firm`s family business sector, he said:

“After 30 years of working at Cowgills and 20 years as managing partner I believe the time is right to hand over the reins to somebody who will take up the role with vigour and enthusiasm.

“I have worked closely with Paul Stringer on the Cowgills board and I am confident he will lead the firm successfully over the next few years.

“During this period of challenge and uncertainty I know Paul and the team are working incredibly hard to provide the very best advice to our clients to get them through the next few months.”

Commenting on taking over as managing partner, Paul Stringer said: “I’m honoured to be leading Cowgills on the next stage of its journey and continuing to support and grow our client base.

“We have focussed on growing a young and ambitious team, actively recruiting likeminded, entrepreneurial individuals who will become the next leaders of our business and who will help to deliver our growth plans.”

He continued: “Our future expansion will come from the region’s growing and entrepreneurial businesses, strong family businesses, as well as property and construction, which is a key sector for us.
“We have a robust relationship partner model, where one partner oversees each client`s activities and all of its requirements. It is a service ethos that has worked very well for us and we will continue to shape the business.”

Today Cowgills has over 180 staff and 14 partners in Bolton and Manchester and a rapidly growing wealth management team in Bolton and Ilkley, West Yorkshire.