New Audit Partner appointment

Bishop Fleming is delighted to have appointed former PwC Director, Stephen Patey, to its Plymouth office, bolstering the firm’s significantly expanding audit practice.

[From left to right: Audit Partners Nathan Coughlin and Stephen Patey, Chair Pippa Clarke and Accountancy Partner Dan White]

The strategic appointment highlights the firm’s commitment to growing its service offering in the South West region and Midlands, building on another successful financial year that saw double-digit fee growth to £45.8m. With audit revenues doubling over the last three years, the firm continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering exceptional service and investing in its future.

Stephen brings more than 30 years’ experience to the firm, previously delivering audits to a wide range of clients including large multinationals, owner managed businesses and private equity backed businesses, with a particular focus on manufacturing and retail. At Bishop Fleming, Stephen will leverage this experience, focussing on the local marketplace.

Firmly rooted in Plymouth, Stephen is a founder and trustee of local charity, Promoting Children in Plymouth, which encourages corporates to do more to alleviate poverty and make a difference in a young person’s life.

Stephen Patey, Audit Partner, commented:

“I’m delighted to be joining Bishop Fleming during a period of such exciting growth. The firm’s client-first approach and focus on quality client relationships matches my own values and makes Bishop Fleming a great fit for my next challenge, rejoining many exceptional ex-colleagues who have also made the move from PwC.

“I am particularly excited to continue my work supporting owner-managed businesses in a firm which has a deep focus on empowering these businesses to thrive in a complex financial landscape. Providing exemplary client service is of the highest importance to me and I will continue to build trusted relationships with my clients and deliver the highest quality audit with no surprises, whilst being a sounding board for clients to help them navigate obstacles and achieve their goals and aspirations.”

Office lead and Partner, Nathan Coughlin, welcomed Stephen to the team, adding:

“Steve’s appointment represents our ongoing commitment to growth in the South West and signals the ongoing growth of our audit service line. His significant audit experience strengthens the specialist services we can offer our clients, and his vast knowledge will be a great asset to the wider team. I’m really pleased to welcome Steve to the business.”  

The appointment follows the recent announcement of the firm’s expansion into the Midlands market. A new Birmingham office, led by Mark Taylor - a new recruit and former Regional Manager of RSM’s Central region - is planned to open soon.

Take the next step with Bishop Fleming

We’re always excited to welcome fresh and experienced talent to our growing team. Explore our careers website to discover the latest openings in audit and other areas!