Lincolnshire accountancy firm celebrates 85th anniversary

A Lincolnshire accountancy firm that has supported businesses that started in back rooms which are now turning over millions of pounds is celebrating it 85th anniversary with three new partners.
Accountancy firm Forrester Boyd is celebrating its 85th birthday.Accountancy firm Forrester Boyd is celebrating its 85th birthday.
Accountancy firm Forrester Boyd is celebrating its 85th birthday.

Forrester Boyd has offices in Skegness, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Beverley, Hull and Louth.

The celebrations also see the appointment of a new chairman, Lee Bradbury, who is taking over from Alan Nesbitt when he retires next spring after 24 years.

A Partner and Chartered Accountant, Fulstow-born Lee is delighted to be taking responsibility for the office upon Alan’s retirement.

Lee, a former student at the town’s King Edward VI Grammar School, advises clients across a number of sectors, and heads up the firm’s Agricultural specialist team.

Over the years he has guided numerous loyal clients through a myriad of changes – maintaining relationships that extend way beyond their financial situations.

Farming, particularly in Lincolnshire, is a way of life for the vast majority of my clients and we are here to offer independent support and advice through the highs and lows that come

with the sector,” he said.

Meanwhile three of Lee’s colleagues are delighted to be stepping up from manager to partnership level at the firm.

Toni Beecroft, Adam Millson and Nicola Hunt are all looking forward to their new roles in the well-established Louth office.

Working alongside Lee in the agricultural sector is Nicola Hunt. A professional with more than 20 years’ experience, Nicola’s passion is the relationships she builds with her clients,

which is a key to her success.

“We all take a genuine interest in what our clients do, and I consider myself to have grown with them over the years, in fact in many ways I am a part of their farming families. I get to

know their lives, their business, and their opportunities and challenges,” she said.

With Brexit and the end of the CAP subsidy payments on the horizon, Nicola’s role with many of her clients is more important now, than ever.

“This is perhaps the biggest single change within the agricultural sector in recent history and requires planning and communication between myself and my clients,” added Nicola.

Toni Beecroft is another Forrester Boyd accountant to rise to Partner after a career spanning more than 20 years. A Louth resident since the age of eight, she joined the firm after her A-

levels - studying accountancy and rising to assistant manager and then manager in 2015.

With a highly specialist knowledge within the small business sector, her eclectic mix of clients range from sole business owners to larger professional tradesmen with employees. In

recent years, the onset of ‘Making Tax Digital’ has been a focus for many, along with the return to work following lockdown and furlough in the last few weeks, she said.

“Change is always around the corner and it is my focus to ensure that change is done in the right way and for the right reasons. It is my relationship with my clients that enables me to

understand and assist,” added Toni.

The important role professional accountancy plays within the education sector has risen to the fore with the emergence of the Academies structure. Here Adam Millson has played an

integral role – establishing himself as a vital cog in the wheels of many local and regional schools as they move from conversion to becoming established academies.

His client base ranges from the smaller single academy to large multi-academy trusts.

After his education at Skegness Grammar School, Adam signed professional terms with Boston United. When injury cut his first career short, he turned his focus to a career in accountancy.

Whilst still a keen player – you will see him on the pitch with Barton Town this coming season – his professional life has never looked back since joining Forrester Boyd in

2012.

Studying for his accountancy exams whilst working, he rose to manager level before accepting his Partnership this autumn.

“My early professional life saw massive change and yes, every boy’s dream is to be a professional footballer, but I can honestly say there are no regrets at all. My work here is

varied and extremely interesting and I enjoy it tremendously," he said.

"Academy work can be challenging, and my reward comes in assisting members of the schools’ teams to carry out and develop their roles, whist ensuring their organisations are on a sound financial footing.”

Welcoming Toni, Adam and Nicola to their enhanced roles, is their colleague and fellow Partner Philip George. Phil has worked with Forrester Boyd at its Louth office since 2008

following the completion of an accountancy degree.

In his 12 years with the firm, Phil has seen the rise of the tech sector especially in Lincoln – a sector specialism for him.

“There is little doubt of the way in which Lincoln has grown over the last two decades, a growth that has reflected the rise in the popularity of the University," said Phil.

"People are no longer seeing Lincoln as a stepping-stone, instead it is somewhere they want to come to, to stay.

"There is much more of an awareness of business in the region and what is going on, and the whole county is stronger as a result."

As he looks to retire from the business, Alan Nesbitt is also delighted to be welcoming the new Partners, leaving the Louth office in the best hands to grow into the future.

He said of his career and chairmanship:

“I can genuinely say that I have thoroughly enjoyed it," he said. "There is great satisfaction in working with so many different clients and in building long-lasting relationships.

"I have seen people start a business in their back rooms who are now turning over millions of pounds.

"It’s massively rewarding being a part of that growth and helping contribute to their success.”

In total across the firm in Louth, Grimsby, Skegness, Scunthorpe, Beverley and Hull, Forrester Boyd has appointed nine new Partners – doubling its Partnership board.