01 Jul 2025

We're celebrating a record number of director promotions

We’ve promoted a record 13 new directors across our tax, audit, business advisory, corporate finance, marketing and people teams, highlighting PKF Francis Clark’s commitment to developing talent.

The newly promoted directors span our offices in Exeter, Torquay, Truro, Salisbury and Poole.

PKF Francis Clark’s newly promoted directors (clockwise, from top left): Alex Davies, Charles Richards, Jessica Tubbs, Chris Madeley, Claire Hill, David Williams, Kate Culley, Tom Hicks, Ruth Warren, Russell Phillips, Rachel Addiss and Michelle Ford

Three new directors have been promoted within the tax team:

  • Charles Richards (Torquay), who joined the firm in 2015 and advises individuals and families on inheritance tax planning, trusts and estates
  • Kate Culley (Torquay), a share plans and incentives specialist
  • Rachel Addiss (Poole), who advises owner-managed businesses on corporate reorganisations and shareholder taxation

Another three work in the audit and assurance and corporate finance teams in Exeter:

  • Alex Davies, who provides training and support on audit, accounting and ethical standards to the audit and assurance department
  • Tom Hicks, who joined the firm in 2012, advises on business sales, acquisitions, fundraising and management buyouts

Five new directors – including three agricultural and rural specialists – have been promoted in the business advisory team:

  • Jessica Tubbs (Poole), who supports small and growing businesses with all aspects of their financial affairs
  • Michelle Ford (Salisbury), who joined the firm in 2008 and now leads the local business advisory team, supporting family businesses with tax planning, cloud accounting systems and compliance
  • Chris Madeley (Truro), who started his career in 2010 and manages a portfolio of rural businesses, focusing on succession and inheritance tax planning
  • David Williams (Torquay), who heads the office’s rural team, providing tax advice to clients including farmers, landowners and leisure attractions
  • Russell Phillips (Truro), who has progressed through the firm since joining in 2016 and provides tax compliance and advisory services to agricultural businesses and landed estates

Two leaders in our central services teams have also been promoted:

  • Claire Hill (Torquay), who heads people operations and recruitment, overseeing early careers, experienced hires, benefits and wellbeing initiatives
  • Ruth Warren (Exeter), who leads a team of eight marketing specialists, managing strategic projects and supporting teams including audit and professional practices

CEO Paul Crocker said: “It’s always a proud moment to see colleagues progress to director level, especially when so many have built their careers with us over many years. These promotions reflect their technical expertise, leadership skills and dedication to our clients, as well as our focus on developing high-performing teams. We look forward to supporting the continued development of our new directors as they take this next step in their PKF Francis Clark careers.”

PKF Francis Clark’s commitment to professional growth has been recognised nationally, with the firm recently ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development. This accolade reflects our investment in training, mentoring and career progression at all levels.

With more than 950 colleagues across nine offices, PKF Francis Clark continues to grow by nurturing talent and delivering expert advice to clients.

Find out more about careers at PKF Francis Clark.

Interested in joining our team?

Contact us to find out more

Latest news

An elevated scenic view of St Ives Harbour and beach in Cornwall, showing a sandy bay, turquoise water, coastal buildings, and flowers in the foreground.

England’s Overnight Visitor Levy

3 November 2026

Read
A diverse group of business professionals standing in a bright office corridor, listening to a woman holding a digital tablet.

How to build a 12-month finance transformation roadmap as a new finance director

2 November 2026

Read
A large group of workers in yellow high-visibility jackets and beanies stand in an outdoor field behind a banner. The banner features the QMS logo, a comic book superhero character, and the text "Passionate People Delivering Excellence On Time, Every Time! QMS.UK".

QMS: Building a successful business with trusted advisers by its side

2 November 2026

Read
A group of six professionals, including five men in suits and one woman in a patterned coat dress, stand side-by-side posing for a photo. They are standing outdoors on a paved area with a river and a bridge blurred in the background.

Experienced insolvency practitioner joins PKF Francis Clark

2 November 2026

Read
A view of the back of several cars lined up in a car park.

Budget 2026: changes to travel and subsistence payments

30 October 2026

Read
An aerial view from a drone of an excavator and dumper on a construction site.

Construction businesses continue to face pressure as insolvency levels remain high 

30 October 2026

Read
A blonde woman in a light blue button-down shirt stands in a kitchen, looking concerned while reading financial or official documents. In the background, a man with a beard is slightly out of focus, organizing dishes in an open wooden cabinet.

Budget 2026: what the property tax changes mean for you

30 October 2026

Read
10 Downing Street - the official London office of the British Prime Minister.

Founders' relief, BADR and capital gains tax: Budget tax changes for business owners planning a sale

29 October 2026

Read

More tax reliefs, more complexity: Takeaways from John Healey’s first Budget

28 October 2026

Read
Payroll colleagues chatting at work

Budget 2026: minimum wage increases add to employers’ costs

28 October 2026

Read
A pen rests on a printed balance sheet

Property income Autumn Budget 2026

28 October 2026

Read
A smiling middle-aged couple in warm autumn clothing poses together outdoors in front of a stone cottage.

Budget 2026: what it means for your money and investments

28 October 2026

Read