Monahans, the South West’s largest independent accountancy firm, has promoted director Clare Bowen to partner in a move it said reflected its aim of creating an environment where its employees can thrive.
The firm, which has eight offices across the region including in Bath, said Clare, pictured, had demonstrated outstanding levels of operational excellence since joining the practice as a client portfolio manager in 2016.
She became a director in 2020 and has she has implemented and led a series of innovative initiatives to drive significant positive change across the firm.
Identifying digital technology as a major growth area, Clare took early responsibility for Monahans’ business services team.
The firm said she had continually strived to improve the level and breadth of client service, leading a digital solutions offering which ensured the firm was at the cutting edge of market technology.
As a result, 95% of her clients now use digital technologies, which in turn has led to up-to-date transfer of information and better efficiencies.
Meanwhile, her focus on delivering exceptional client service has included introducing a lead tracking system and a feedback mechanism to understand areas for improvement, resulting in a 50% increase in client compliments.
Clare has also developed a new onboarding system to improve the end-to-end client experience and lifecycle.
Monahans said her desire to be an accomplished leader had made her a role model across the firm – with an ability to empower and champion those around her prompting a colleague to describe her as “someone you aspire to be in your professional working life”.
In her new role, Clare is focusing on leading Monahans’ business development strategy, continuing to improve its client experience journey and developing talent within the business.
Claire said: “As I continue to develop my own leadership style, stretch myself with new experiences and challenge my own thinking, I recognise the impact I can have on those around me, and how I can champion their development and progress through mentoring and coaching.
“I’ve learned so much about myself during the past 18 months, so it’s really exciting to have achieved the goal of becoming partner, which has always been my ambition.
“Whilst also daunting, of course, as a partner I’m aware of my responsibility to maintain the standards of excellence for which Monahans is renowned, in the way I look after my team and clients, and I hope that I can support others along the way.”
Monahans managing partner Simon Tombs said Clare brought “an energy and enthusiasm” to everything she did and was highly passionate about the business, the industry, her clients and colleagues.
“Not only has Clare continued to lead projects which have considerably enhanced firm-wide efficiencies, by embracing technologies and improving our ways of internally working, but she has also gained a reputation across the practice as the ‘go-to’ person for mentoring and support,” he added.
“She has always been very generous with her time and has become a role model to empower others to achieve their ambitions – all while championing the client by supporting them to streamline business operations, improve efficiencies and provide better quality information from which to make stronger business decisions.
“We can’t wait to see Clare’s continued progression as an integral figure to Monahans’ success.”
Monahans, whose services span corporate finance, tax consultancy, audit and payroll, also has offices in Chippenham, Frome, Glastonbury, Melksham, Swindon and Taunton.
