AN accountant who has dedicated 50 years to Bradford’s business world has announced his retirement.
Alan Wintersgill has stepped down as a consultant with accountancy and business advisory firm, Azets, in the city centre.
Saying farewell to his career at the top 10 UK accountancy business comes exactly half a century after he first qualified in 1974.
Alan was a newly qualified accountant with a local Bradford firm before he went on to work at PwC in Leeds.
He then moved into industry where he spent eight years as finance director with a manufacturing company.
He opened his own accountancy practice Wintersgill & Co in 1986 – later becoming Naylor Wintersgill.
He became chairman in 2012, before the firm merged with Azets in April 2023.
The firm will be left in the hands of office managing partner Victoria Wainwright, who was the first apprentice Alan employed at the firm in 1991.
Victoria became managing partner of Naylor Wintersgill in 2012.
Victoria, who became office managing partner in 2023 following the merger, said: “Alan’s contribution to business and the community over so many years has been inspirational.
“He is a respected and well-known figure in the Bradford community who has made an immeasurable difference in support of hundreds of valued clients and the many colleagues who have had the privilege of working alongside him.
“Alan will be sorely missed on a personal and professional level, and we wish him the long and happy retirement that he richly deserves.”
Based at Carlton House in Grammar School Street, the practice continues to grow.
With 15 new team members over the past year, the firm now has more than 70 employees.
It has also recently appointed financial planner Matt Knott in wealth management.
Alan has become a mentor to his employees while the business also became an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) accredited training office.
More than 50 apprentices have passed through its doors.
Alan has held several professional roles and treasurer roles - including president of the Bradford Society of Chartered Accountants and West Yorkshire council member at the Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.
Alan helped set up a board alongside prominent business leaders to fundraise for Marie Curie Bradford Hospice. The board reached a £1 million fundraising milestone earlier this year.
Alan said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with so many wonderful businesses and colleagues, while also being able to contribute to the vibrant community that we have in Bradford.
“Many things have changed over fifty years but the value of human interaction and personal service is as important as ever. I am looking forward to retirement, although I shall miss my clients and colleagues, but I intend to remain busy.”
Alan was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for ‘services to charity and the community of Bingley’ in 2014.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel