We are extremely pleased to announce Ben Kilbride’s promotion to Associate as we continue on our growth journey.

It is the latest in a series of recent promotions as we celebrate 65 years serving a wide range of businesses and individuals across Preston, Lancashire and wider North West.

Ben, a former student of Nelson and Colne College, has been a member of the WNJ team at our dockland offices since May 2015, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in early 2025. His specialist area of work is auditing and accounts.

WNJ Partner and senior management team member Paul Woodburn said: “Ben’s promotion to Associate is very well-deserved.

“He is a valuable member of our team and it has been great to see his career develop. We look forward to seeing him continue that progress.

“His promotion is another example of the career development path that we offer people and the support and encouragement we give our staff, which is such an important part of our culture.

“Ben shares all our core values that allow us deliver excellent client relationships and service and is committed to the further development of WNJ.”

Ben, 40, who lives with his family in Fulwood, said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been promoted to Associate, it is a real honour.

“WNJ has such a long and successful history serving the local business community and I’m excited to be part of its story moving forward as we continue to deliver for a broad range of clients.

“I’m also grateful for the continued support of my colleagues. The fact so many people have made their whole careers here is a testament to the fact WNJ is such a great place to work and the investment it makes in people.”

WNJ has announced two senior promotions as we continue on our development journey.

Matthew Johnson, formally an Associate Partner, has been made an Equity Partner in the practice whilst Stuart Mercer has been appointed Associate Partner.

Matthew joined WNJ in September 2008 as an Accounts and Audit Trainee. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2013 and became an Associate Partner in 2018.

The former Hutton Grammar School and Lancaster University student works closely with owner managers to identify opportunities for them from both a taxation and commercial perspective.

Stuart is another former Hutton Grammar School student and attended the University of Sheffield. He joined WNJ as an ACA trainee in June 2018 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2021.

During his time at WNJ he has primarily worked in the Audit and Accounts team based at its offices at Ferry Road Office Park in Preston.

WNJ Partner and senior management team member Paul Woodburn said: “Matthew and Stuart’s promotions are very well-deserved and highlight the important roles they play in the practice.

“They both share the core values that allow us deliver excellent client relationships and service and are committed to the further development of WNJ.

“As an Equity Partner Matthew is a welcome addition to the senior management team while Stuart’s progression to Associate will allow him to continue to focus on developing new business and delivering even more to our growing number of clients.”

He added: “It is really pleasing to see that both Matthew and Stuart came to WNJ from university and have successfully developed and progressed their careers here. We are delighted for them and the opportunities their new roles present.”

Matthew said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been made an Equity Partner at WNJ and I’m grateful for the continued support of the partners and my colleagues along the way.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute further to the firm’s success for years to come, ensuring clients continue to receive high-quality service and advice.”

Stuart said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as an Associate Partner, but it’s especially pleasing for this to coincide with Matthew being made a full Partner, given how closely we have worked and how much of his time he has given me since I joined WNJ in 2018.

“It’s a really exciting time to be at WNJ and I’m looking forward to playing a key part in further developing the firm over the coming years.”