Member Article

Mitchells announces appointment of two female partners on International Women’s Day

The first female partners have been appointed at one of Derbyshire’s oldest firms of chartered accountants.

Laura Pain and Liz Fisher are the first female partners in Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers’ 153-year history.

Boasting an impressive 36 years combined service between them, tax and employer solutions specialist Liz and cloud accounting and start up expert Laura now join Tim Leeman, Andrew McDaid and Tony Hornsby in leading the strategic direction of the firm.

Respected and well-known in the business community, Liz and Laura organise regular and longstanding female networking events and head up the firm’s tax and small business divisions respectively.

Liz and Laura’s promotion not only recognises their long service but also their commitment to the continued growth of the business particularly over the last 12 months. Partner Tony Hornsby explained: “Over the past few years, and even more so since the pandemic, Liz and Laura have demonstrated their commitment and drive towards the continued growth of Mitchells and the development of the teams that works with them. They embody the ethos and character of Mitchells and I and my fellow partners are extremely excited at what they will bring to the continued growth and leadership of the firm.”

Laura is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). Her promotion comes 100 years after the registration of the first female chartered accountant in the world. In May 1920 Mary Harris Smith, at the age of 75 years old, was allowed to join the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). She had applied repeatedly however the ICAEW could not refuse her again after The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act was passed in 1919 opening the way for women to be admitted into professions such as accountancy.

Laura said: “I am thrilled to have made a little bit of history in the firm. Being one of the first-ever female partners at Mitchells is an incredible honour for me and I am proud that I can share it with Liz.”

Liz’s promotion in particular, embodies Mitchells’ longstanding commitment to growing and developing talent within the firm. She has been with Mitchells since leaving school in 1997, joining the firm in a part time admin role after completing her A Levels. She went on to complete an ATT apprenticeship and later qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser (one of three at Mitchells), winning a distinction for one of the exam papers.

She commented: “Twenty-four years ago the head of sixth form at my school said that leaving education to take up a workplace traineeship would be the worst decision I’d ever make. I hope my recent promotion will inspire other young people currently at a crossroads over whether to choose higher education or the world of work. As I have shown, if you join the right company, which believes in supporting employees and developing them then there is no barrier to progression within your career.”

Laura added: “The last 12 months in my 22-year career in accountancy has been one of the most challenging but also the most rewarding. “I am very proud of the advice and support I and the Mitchells’ team have delivered to clients during the pandemic crisis. I am delighted to join Andrew, Tim, Tony and Liz in leading such a strong and dedicated team.”

Mitchells is a leading accountancy and business advisory firm based in Chesterfield. The firm prides itself on its pragmatic and down-to-earth approach, providing high quality accountancy and taxation services and business advice to all types of industry sectors. It is one of only a handful of care home specialists and their services in this sector are in demand nationally.

With a team of 40 staff, Mitchells is large enough to take on the most demanding of businesses but small enough to provide personal care and attention. The firm is a proud Chesterfield Champion and devoted to supporting the town in its economic development and success.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Melton .