About Us
Our story
Business partners, not just accountants
Founded by Marcus Hazlewood in 1919, we’ve grown to become one of the largest independent accountants and business advisers in the South West, with over 550 employees across five offices, taking care of thousands of clients locally, nationally and internationally.
I hope the Hazlewoods of today would have made Marcus Hazlewood proud and maybe a little bit amazed at what he started in 1919.”
Jon Cartwright, Managing Partner 2009-2023
Hazlewoods today
- £45 million revenue
- Over 550 employees
- More than 130 apprentices
- 43 Partners
- 27 Directors
1919
- Our founder Marcus Hazlewood forms Williams, Manning & Hazlewood with offices in The Promenade, Cheltenham town centre.
1925
- After copyrighting his innovative ‘Cash Journal’, a tool for producing certified accounts, Hazlewood goes it alone, forming Marcus Hazlewood & Co.
1941
- Marcus Hazlewood dies at the young age of 53. David Broom, the first appointed Partner in 1930, takes over the running of the practice.
1944
- A first for Hazlewoods, as employee Dorothy Broom is the first female to qualify as a Certified Accountant in Cheltenham.
1959
- As an early adopter of technology, Partner, Bill Wyman, sets up a mechanised accounting and payroll business, MPL Computers Ltd. MPL Computers Ltd is now part of global IT brand, Procurri. Bill goes on to become Managing Partner.
1963
- Marcus Hazlewood & Co move to Windsor House, Bayshill Road – a beautiful regency building in the heart of Cheltenham – offices we still use today.
1967
- The first Hazlewood trainees are recruited – today we employ over 50 new apprentices every year.
1972
- Cooke, Tortonese & Price merge with Hazlewood & Co.
1980
- The purchase and extensive refurbishment of Staverton Court on the outskirts of Cheltenham – the new HQ for Marcus Hazlewood & Co.
1980s
- Hazlewoods establishes its Corporate Finance specialism and the Hazlewoods Financial Planning team is founded. Today Hazlewoods has regional and national recognition for its expertise in these areas.
1988
- Up until now, accounting firms were prohibited from advertising their services externally. However, new regulations enable the firm to rebrand and market itself as Hazlewoods Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers.
1990s
- Niche sector specialisms are formed, including Healthcare, Legal, Veterinary, Agriculture and Dental. This was a pivotal strategy which set Hazlewoods apart from other accountancy firms and has enabled Hazlewoods to establish itself as a respected UK leader in accounting specialisms today.
1998
- Hazlewoods Business Recovery and Insolvency team is established.
2000s
- Despite the 2008/09 recession, the first decade of the new millenium is a period of growth and expansion as the firm sees twelve new Partners admitted, and revenue grow to over £14 million.
2002
- Bespoke Payroll Solutions team is created.
2009
- Jon Cartwright is appointed as Managing Partner.
2010
- Strengthening our global connections, Hazlewoods joins the HLB International network as an independent member. Today HLB has grown to include member firms in 156 countries and is ranked the 10th largest global accountancy and advisory network.
2019
- Hazlewoods celebrates its centenary year and raises a staggering £100,000 for local cancer charity, Maggie’s.
2020
- Hazlewoods is ranked 25th in the UK Top 100 accountancy firms.
- Adapting with agility to the Covid pandemic, and continued excellence to our clients, the firm continues to experience significant growth, hitting £30 million revenue.
2022
- Further expansion sees new Hazlewoods offices open at the Promenade, Cheltenham, (back where we started in 1919!), and our first office in Bristol.
2024
- Hazlewoods has grown to £45 million revenue and over 550 employees.
- James Morter takes over from Jon Cartwright as Managing Partner and we open our first office in Cardiff.