Cottons is proud to announce the promotion of Charles Hill to Partner and the appointment of Luke Prout to our Tax department. This is a significant step forward for us and we are delighted to have these skilled professionals join our leadership team.
Charles Hill’s promotion to Partner
Charles has consistently demonstrated exceptional client relationship management and service skills, along with extensive technical knowledge for our larger clients. Charles’ leadership and vision have been evident through his management of key projects, showcasing his capability to drive our firm forward.
“Charles has impressed us with his deep understanding of our clients’ needs and his commitment to delivering outstanding service. His promotion to Partner is a testament to his hard work and the positive impact he has had on our clients,” says Will Smart, Managing Partner at Cottons.
Charles specialises in owner-managed businesses, focusing on wealth generation and retention, as well as medium and larger corporations with their forward strategy and compliance requirements. His expertise has been crucial in the growth and development of Cottons’ audit department and he has played a significant role in our acquisition strategy.
“My aim is to expand Cottons’ outreach of excellent service offerings to a wider range of clients locally, regionally and nationally. I am committed to supporting our clients in achieving their business goals and ensuring their compliance needs are met efficiently,” Charles stated.
Luke Prout’s appointment as Tax Partner
Luke joins Cottons from a larger firm, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. His journey from a similar starting point to where we aim to be in the next three years provides valuable insights that will drive our growth.
“Luke’s high technical skills, commercial acumen and drive make him a perfect fit for our team. His experience in saving clients significant sums of money through effective tax strategies will enhance our service offerings and strengthen our client relationships,” added Will Smart.
Luke’s background includes over 12 years at a national firm, followed by six years as a Tax Partner at a regional firm. His broad expertise spans most areas of taxation, including Corporate, VAT, PAYE and Capital taxes. Luke is passionate about delivering responsible tax advice and helping clients achieve their goals.
“Joining Cottons is an exciting opportunity for me. I have been aware of Cottons for some time as a growing firm with fantastic clients. I enjoy the challenge of leading from the top and developing our tax services alongside the talented staff already here. I have been given the freedom and full support of all the partners to ensure our tax services grow in line with other service lines.”
“My approach is to work hard and ensure the team moves in the right direction. Teamwork makes the dream work. My immediate priorities are to take stock, review systems, support staff and get to know the clients. Long-term, I aim to enhance our department’s position as a leader regionally in tax services, ensuring that our team’s breadth and experience grow in line with the firm’s other service lines,” Luke shared.
Strategic goals and future direction
These leadership changes support Cottons’ goals of expanding our services and achieving substantial growth. Charles and Luke bring unique skills that are crucial for the next phase of our journey.
“The addition of Charles and Luke to our leadership team clearly shows our commitment to bringing in the best people to provide the best service. Their expertise and dedication will be key as we continue to grow and improve our offerings,” said Will Smart.
General reflections
Cottons is committed to delivering outstanding services to our clients. Focused on excellence and growth, we aim to exceed client expectations with innovative solutions and expert advice. We are excited about the future and confident that these leadership changes will play a big part in our success.
Congratulations to Charles and Luke on their well-deserved promotions. Please join us in celebrating their achievements and stay tuned for more exciting updates from Cottons Group!
