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Alan Wintersgill retires after 50 years in accounting

A leading light in the business world of Yorkshire called an illustrious career of fifty years in accountancy.

Alan Wintersgill has resigned as a consultant at top ten UK accountancy and business advisory firm Azets in Bradford, exactly half a century after he qualified as a chartered accountant in 1974.

He opened his own accountancy firm Wintersgill & Co in 1986 – later to become Naylor Wintersgill – in Bradford city centre. He became chairman in 2012, before the firm merged with Azets in April 2023.

Alan leaves the business in good shape in the safe hands of office managing partner Victoria Wainwright, who was the first apprentice he took on at the firm in 1991. Victoria became managing partner of Naylor Wintersgill in 2012.

Based at Carlton House in Grammar School Street, the practice continues to grow with the addition of 15 new team members in the past year, taking the number of staff to over 70.

It has also expanded its service offering in Bradford with the appointment of financial planner Matt Knott to wealth management.

Victoria, who became managing partner of the office in 2023 following the merger with Azets, said: “Alan’s contribution to the business and community over so many years has been inspirational.

“He is a well-respected and well-known figure in the Bradford community who has made an immeasurable difference to the support of hundreds of valued clients and the many colleagues who have had the privilege of working alongside him.

“Alan will be greatly missed personally and professionally and we wish him the long and happy retirement he so richly deserves.”

Alan qualified with a local firm in Bradford in 1974 before working at PwC in Leeds. He then moved into industry where he spent eight years as a finance director at a manufacturing company before setting up Naylor Wintersgill.

Over the years, while other firms have moved out of the city, Naylor Wintersgill has remained committed to the Bradford business community and seen growth year on year.

Alan was a great mentor to his employees and the business also became an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) accredited training office with over 50 apprentices passing through its doors to start their accounting career.

Alan has held a number of professional roles. These included two terms as President of the Bradford Society of Chartered Accountants, President of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants and West Yorkshire Council Member of the Chartered Accountants of England and Wales from 2007-2011.

His commitment to the community included roles as president and treasurer of Rotary and involvement in five charitable trusts.

Alan also established an ambassador group for Marie Curie Bradford Hospice in 2008, bringing together a development board of prominent business leaders. He has chaired the board since its inception, which hit the £1m milestone earlier this year.

Alan said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with so many wonderful businesses and colleagues, while also being able to contribute to the vibrant community we have in Bradford.

“A lot has changed in fifty years, but the value of human interaction and personal service is as important as ever. I am looking forward to retirement, although I will miss my clients and colleagues, but I intend to stay busy.”

Alan was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honors for “services to charity and the community in Bingley” in 2014.

Azets also has offices in Leeds and York in Yorkshire, where it employs 334 people.

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