News: Andy Williams, founding partner of Powell Williams, retires

Andy Williams, our founding partner, is retiring after 31 years, following not only another successful trading year but the culmination of a five-year growth plan, which has seen new clients brought into the business, additional services being offered, and recruitment across all offices increasing headcount.

The team exceeded every target set by the partners this year

Despite all of the difficulties wrought by the effects of the pandemic and EU withdrawal over the last year, we have welcomed a significant number of new instructions from funds, developers, landlords and occupiers, with 12% of our client base being new clients.

Andy has driven change from a small family business to a modern LLP and established a strong footing for the next stage of the firm’s growth:

“I set out to create a service-led consultancy with strong values which put client wellbeing at the heart of our operation. I wanted to bring together experts with the knowledge and commitment to offer a better client experience than might be found elsewhere, and in this respect, I certainly consider it job done.

The business is extremely robust and after a wonderful 30 years it is time for me to step back. I have taken the decision to retire early and focus on other aspects of my life following a brief spell of ill health last year.

I’m extremely proud of what has been achieved through such trying times by a thoroughly dedicated and collective effort, and of everything we’ve built together over the last three decades since the firm was founded in 1990.

I have absolute confidence that the partners will take the business even further forward. Powell Williams has always had an emphasis on ability and attitude, not just length of service, so individuals who contribute towards the continued success will most certainly thrive with the firm.”

An approach that makes our client’s life easier

Our clients work with us consistently because we listen to them, and the service we provide simply makes their lives easier. This commitment has enabled us to retain several major clients, such as Aviva and Abrdn, who’ve been with us since we started. And our ethos reflects our ability to attract new clients and recruit high quality employees who look to be a part of that culture.

The practice operates a flat management structure
Partners head up each of the regional offices and teams, and work together to provide tailored support for clients based on the location of their property assets and service requirements. Between them, the remaining partners have more than 90 years’ service with the firm, and almost half of all staff have been in post for a decade or more.

Increasing headcount
We’ve also attracted three talented new members to the team in recent months with Tom Little, another highly experienced building surveyor, joining us this week from Trident and are continuing to recruit across all offices.

Martin Hunt, head of the Chester office, was brought into the business by Andy as a post graduate intern 25 years ago:

“From graduate to partner, I have enjoyed working for, and then alongside Andy for many years, challenging and developing the business as part of a dedicated partnership team.

Andy’s success cannot be understated, his vision for this business and his determination in driving it forward has been inspiring. He established the ethos embodied in our strapline, Clear Concise Advice, and an approach to providing a commercially-driven, client-centric service, which stands just as strong today.

Looking ahead, we will consolidate our new client wins, explore opportunities to support them further, and continue to bring in work from new sources and our longstanding client base. We are also in a recruitment phase and hope to welcome surveyors of all levels to each of our offices to support this growth.

Everyone at Powell Williams owes so much to Andy, and we will all miss him greatly as a friend, colleague and leader. He has steered the ship successfully for three decades and put us into a fantastic position to take the business forward. Our commitment to him is that we will maintain the principles he has established over the last 30 years, and we truly wish him all the very best in his retirement.”

Want to speak to Andy about his retirement plans? He’ll be in the office until 24th September. For any other information, contact Martin Hunt.