Financial Planning and accountancy firm Old Mill has appointed three new partners following a restructure to boost career progression for staff.

Chartered Financial Planners Jon Orchard FPFS and Julia Banwell, and director of tax Stephen Martin, are the latest to be promoted and increase the number of partners to 22.

Mr Orchard and Ms Banwell are members of the wealth management team

In November 2021, Old Mill announced a target to double in size by 2026 and move from an LLP to a Ltd structure to create a simpler business model and make it easier to add new partners.

At the time of the announcement, the firm confirmed an initial list of 18 partners but said its intention was to create opportunities for more people to become partners in the near future. The three new partners are the first to successfully apply under the new structure.

In addition to the three new in-house partners Old Mill has also recruited a partner externally, taking the total to 22. His appointment will be announced next week

Mr Orchard, a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, and Certified Financial Planner, has more than 20 years’ experience in Financial Planning. At 39 he is Old Mill’s youngest partner.

He said: “I feel honoured to have the opportunity to join the partner group and wish to use this as a catalyst to further promote the Financial Planning profession and the opportunities available for those who work in it.”

Ms Banwell joined Old Mill in 1997 and specialises in the rural sector she is very familiar with as, with her husband, she also helps runs a beef farm, Livery Yard and Solar Site.

She said: “I wanted to be a partner as I really want to help shape the business in the future. We have such a great team and I’m really excited for the future.”

Mr Martin is a tax specialist with expertise in research and development, mergers and acquisitions and share schemes. He joined the firm as a director of tax in March 2021.

Kevin Whitmarsh, CEO of Old Mill, said: “Jon, Julia and Stephen have all distinguished themselves through their ability to inspire those around them. Their hard work and commitment to quality are shown by the impact they have made on our clients, colleagues and communities in which we operate.

“Furthermore, all three have demonstrated excellent commercial drive, and that is one of the key reasons for the restructure – so that people like Jon, Julia and Stephen - who help drive growth and work hard to embody the Old Mill values - are able to progress more quickly.”