Bradley Stoke based accountants marks founder’s retirement after 35 years

Dunkley’s Chartered Accountants, one of the South West’s leading independent accountancy practices, has today (13^th April) announced the retirement of its founder, Mike Dunkley, marking an incredible 35-years, to the day, at the helm of the business.

Founded in 1991 from Mike’s back bedroom in Bristol, Dunkley’s has grown into a thriving firm of more than 50 staff, serving a diverse client base across the UK. Over three and a half decades, Mike has transformed the business from a sole practitioner operation into a respected, multi-service accountancy practice, headquartered in Bradley Stoke.

Mike’s journey began when he made the bold decision to leave employment and establish his own firm. Early growth saw him outgrow his home office, carefully selecting Bradley Stoke as the firm’s base due to its untapped potential within the region. From there, Dunkley’s expanded steadily through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including Robinson & Co, Bruce N Simmonds & Associates, Bryan Stone and Co, most recently, Gillespie BS Limited in 2024.

Reflecting on his retirement, Mike Dunkley said: “When I founded Dunkley’s in 1991, I simply wanted to build a business that put people first. Over the years, it’s been a privilege to support so many clients through their business journeys and to work alongside a fantastic team. The relationships built along the way have meant a great deal to me, and I’m incredibly proud of what the firm has become. I leave it in very safe hands and look forward to seeing it continue to grow and evolve.”

Today, the firm offers a comprehensive range of services spanning audit, tax, payroll, bookkeeping, business advisory and strategic planning, supporting clients from sole traders through to large corporate groups, charities and specialist sectors including healthcare, construction and property. Alongside its technical expertise, Dunkley’s has built a reputation for its collaborative and people-focused culture, with many team members progressing through the business into senior roles.

Throughout its evolution, Dunkley’s has remained at the forefront of change within the accountancy profession. From early adoption of new technologies to embracing cloud accounting, digital client communication tools and hybrid working, the firm has consistently adapted to meet the needs of modern businesses.

The firm’s commitment to innovation and excellence has been recognised with a number of industry awards, including Independent Firm of the Year (South West) at the British Accountancy Awards 2019 and the 2018 IRIS Marketing Innovation Firm of the Year award for its forward-thinking approach to client engagement and communication. The team has also achieved Practice Excellence recognition and finalist positions across a number of other industry accolades.

Following a carefully planned leadership transition, the firm continues to be led by long-standing Directors Lisa White, Matthew Dobbins and Joe Weston, who have collectively worked for the firm for over 30 years. Together, their wealth of experience and passion for the team has set a clear vision for the future.

Since stepping into leadership roles, the directors have overseen significant growth, increasing turnover four fold, while continuing to invest in people, processes and technology. Initiatives such as hybrid working, a structured progression framework, and the introduction of a nine-day fortnight reflect the firm’s ongoing commitment to both client service and team wellbeing.

The leadership team has also introduced regular firm-wide briefings, a next-generation social group to organise team activities, and a stronger focus on wellbeing and team culture. All of this has contributed to creating a more collaborative, supportive and forward-thinking working environment.

Looking ahead, Dunkley’s is focused on strengthening its position as a trusted advisor, combining high-level strategic and tax-efficient guidance with a strong foundation in day-to-day compliance, to support clients at every stage of their journey.

Director, Joe Weston added: “We’re excited about the future of Dunkley’s. Building on the strong foundations Mike created, our focus is on continued growth, innovation and delivering even greater value to our clients.

“I joined the firm as an apprentice over a decade ago, and to now be part of the leadership team is something I’m incredibly proud of. That kind of progression really reflects the opportunities Mike created within the business.”

Lisa White continued: “While Mike’s retirement marks the end of an era, it also represents an exciting new chapter for the firm. Our priority is to continue developing our advisory services and supporting clients to achieve their long-term strategic goals.”

Director, Matthew Dobbins commented: “Mike’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit have shaped everything Dunkley’s stands for today. The foundations he put in place have allowed us to grow sustainably while keeping that personal, relationship-driven approach that our clients value.”

Dunkley’s continues to stand out as a firm that is professional and forward-thinking, while remaining approachable and personal in its service.

Backed by an experienced leadership team and a clear strategic direction, the firm is entering an exciting new phase of growth and innovation.

For more information, please visit www.dunkleys.accountants

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