North-West-based accounting and business advisory firm Harold Sharp Limited has announced the promotion of Amie Wilson and Fred Norman to Director. The move reinforces its leadership team at a pivotal moment in the firm’s ambitious growth journey.
The strategic appointments come as Harold Sharp, headquartered in Sale, continues to expand its presence across the North-West. Having achieved 6% sustainable growth in 2024, the firm is set to double that over the next 12 months. With a sharp focus on innovation, talent investment and high-quality, tech-driven advisory services for ambitious businesses, the firm is well positioned to deliver on target.
A leadership team poised for expansion
Amie Wilson, who rejoined Harold Sharp in February 2024 as Associate Director, has been instrumental in scaling the Accounts & Outsourcing team, strengthening the firm’s service offering for owner-managed businesses. With over 25 years of experience advising SMEs and a proven track record in strategic leadership, her promotion to Operations Director is a natural next step as the firm advances its growth strategy.
Fred Norman, formerly a Senior Audit Manager at PwC and recognised in Accountancy Age’s 35 Under 35, joined Harold Sharp in November 2023 as Head of Audit to bolster the firm’s Audit practice. His rapid impact in enhancing audit excellence and managing large-scale audits has been key in broadening the firm’s service capabilities. Now promoted to Audit Compliance Director, Fred will drive further expansion of the firm’s audit offering, ensuring the highest standards of client service.
Speaking on the firm’s audit offering, Fred Norman, Audit Compliance Director, commented:
“Over the past year, Harold Sharp’s audit portfolio has grown by almost 20%, reflecting the increasing demand for our expertise across a range of sectors. This expansion has driven the growth of our audit team, and we remain committed to further strengthening our offering as the wider firm continues to scale.”
Driving growth with a visionary strategy
The promotions are part of Harold Sharp’s bold ambition to become the go-to advisory firm for forward-thinking SMEs and ambitious owner-managed businesses in the region. The strengthened leadership team, including Managing Director Charlotte Hinchcliffe, is committed to scaling the firm while staying true to its independent, client-first ethos.
Commenting on the promotions, Charlotte Hinchcliffe, Managing Director, said:
“Harold Sharp is entering an exciting new phase of growth, and Amie and Fred’s promotions reflect our commitment to investing in top talent to drive that momentum. They bring fresh perspectives and deep expertise to our leadership team, positioning us strongly for the future.”
Independence with a global edge
As part of ETL GLOBAL, Harold Sharp benefits from an international community of independent firms while remaining firmly self-directed – a distinction it values deeply in a landscape increasingly shaped by private equity buyouts. This autonomy allows Harold Sharp to prioritise long-term client relationships, invest in its people and innovate without external influence.
Speaking on the firm’s vision, Amie Wilson, Operations Director, commented:
“The ETL UK Group enables us to retain an independent lens supported by a community of like-minded firms. This allows us to stay agile, make decisions that are right for our clients and build a firm that is truly focused on the future. As we enter this next stage of growth, our investment in people remains at the heart of everything we do.”
The firm has been at the forefront of tech development in the accounting industry for the last 12 years and has seen an increase in clients leveraging its tech-driven advisory services, driving the need for expanded service capabilities. The firm continues to invest heavily in this area with 10 team members recruited in 2024, including a dedicated Head of Digital.
Working alongside existing Associate Directors Rebecca Holloway, Yusuf Laher, Emma Saxon-Pipe and Fiona Illingworth, the newly expanded leadership team is set to drive Harold Sharp’s ambitious plans forward.
With a strong foundation, a dynamic leadership team and a clear vision for the future, Harold Sharp is well-positioned to accelerate its expansion and continue delivering market-leading, tech-enabled advisory services to SMEs across the North-West.