Rural accountant Old Mill is continuing to grow and strengthen its team, with the promotion of Willem Puddy to partner in the Chippenham office.

Hailing from a first-generation farming family near Salisbury, Wiltshire, Mr Puddy has always loved the resilient and entrepreneurial nature of rural businesses. "My parents bought the farm 30 years ago and it taught me a lot about optimising everything just to keep the lights on. From a young age we chipped in around school and in the holidays, but I always knew I'd have to earn money elsewhere."

Following a successful career as a professional footballer, Mr Puddy decided to train as an accountant, and started working at Old Mill six years ago. "I love the finance side of rural business, looking into the detail and making sure they're profitable – but I also love the close-knit community. It's never felt like a job – every client has a unique way of growing and very few farmers stand still," he says.

Old Mill's values also really struck a chord. "How they look after farmers really stuck with me – they've really looked after my parents; it's all about really getting to understand the individuals, the business, and the whole family – that's so important."

Following the recent changes to inheritance tax and removal of rural funding – including for mental health support - many discussions now centre around succession planning, explains Mr Puddy. "Understanding the numbers has never been more important – but it's not so much about the current business as ensuring we can keep farms going in the long-term.

"Being a partner means we can continue to help more people – helping them to understand that there are a lot of options out there and to navigate what's going on."

Mr Puddy's journey with Old Mill has been nothing short of impressive, says head of rural Andrew Vickery. "From the start, he has demonstrated remarkable drive, technical expertise, and a unique ability to connect with our clients. His rapid progression within the business is a testament to his talent and determination, and his promotion to partner has come in record time.

"At Old Mill, we pride ourselves on recognising ability and readiness over traditional promotion pathways, and Willem's achievement is a prime example of this. His promotion isn't just about his individual talent, but also about our commitment to offering opportunities based on what people can do, not when a position opens up."

Traditionally based across the South West, the firm is now organically growing into Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire with Mr Puddy leading the charge. "As partner, he will continue to lead the charge in supporting rural businesses, helping them navigate challenges and seize new opportunities, while contributing to the overall success of Old Mill."

• For more information visit www.om.uk.