South West accountancy firm Old Mill has appointed it senior pensions manager Steve Woodham as the new head of its Wells office.
Steve, pictured, who has worked at Old Mill for 15 years, replaces Andrew Moore, who is retiring after almost 12 years at the firm, which also has offices in Melksham, Yeovil and Exeter.
Old Mill said Steve, who took up his new role on July 1, will be an ambassador for the firm in the local community by supporting networking events and charitable initiatives and by encouraging staff to get involved too.
He will also have a strong focus on morale, engagement and personal wellbeing for all staff and showcase both the firm’s community and people-led culture and, as pensions manager, the specialist pension services it can offer.
The six-strong specialist pension team, which Steve leads, looks after 250 self-invested pension funds and assists member trustees ensure that they meet their legislative responsibilities.
With his pension background, he also has extensive experience in managing property, which will prove helpful when working with both Old Mill’s people and the other businesses with which the firm shares its Wells office.
Steve said these two roles were a natural blend. “It’s hugely important that I‘m visible to the Wells community as the ‘ambassador’ of the pensions team and Old Mill as a whole, while also being a point of contact for staff.
“By being a visible and approachable leader, I can help encourage better communication, collaboration, and engagement between teams within the office, and between Old Mill and the local community, helping staff and clients alike feel more invested in the business and what we have to offer.
“I‘m looking forward to rebuilding, re-engaging and re-establishing that positive spirit we always had in the office and nurturing that social environment we’ve really missed.”
He said there would be a number of challenges as the firm – and the country – comes back from the pandemic.
“I’m sure there will be a mix of people who are more reserved or those who are desperate to get back into the office to be around their colleagues, so I will be taking a careful and considered approach to ensure everyone is comfortable as we move forward,” he added.
He also praised Andrew Moore and said he had learned a lot from his people-centric style, and the way he led by example.
“I plan to emanate his positivity and energy while also bringing my own unique style and expertise to the role – starting with a ‘Great Wells Office Bake-Off!”
Old Mill managing director Ian Carlson said that as lockdown came to an end and people started to return to working in the offices the head of office role was more important than ever.
“I have huge confidence that Steve is the right person for the job. As we start to move back to a ‘non-lockdown’ environment and people have to re-adjust to old ways of working, and adapt to new ones, having someone who can lead that’s going to be really important.
“Steve is an excellent manager of people and is also very social and likes to bring a bit of fun to the workplace, but he’s also very aware that there isn’t going to be a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to returning to ‘normal’.
“He understands that staff are going to need different types and levels of support as they return to the office and I know he’ll handle the transition with sensitivity and care to build the office back up to the positive working environment it was pre-pandemic.”
Old Mill employs nearly 300 staff across its four offices who work with its 5,000-plus clients.
