AN accounting firm are delighted to announce that a new partner has been appointed.

Joanne Thomlinson was appointed, with effect from January 2021, as the company’s twelfth Partner.

Joanna has been with Dodd & Co for 13 years, after joining in 2007 as a trainee chartered accountant.

She came to Dodd & Co after graduating from Lancaster University with a business studies degree and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2011.

Specialising in agriculture and the third sector, as well as acting for a portfolio of family businesses both across the county and nationally, Joanne’s knowledge and expertise has helped her clients for many years, and more so during the recent changes following the effect of the pandemic.

Joanne has always lived in the Wigton area, and currently lives there with her young family.

She celebrated the prestigious title of Cumbria Woman of the Year in 2018, after being nominated for her tireless efforts and continuous campaigning during four years to free her brother and five other British men known as the ‘Chennai 6’ who were wrongly imprisoned in India.

Joanne campaigned, whilst also continuing with her personal professional development and raising a young family and is nothing short of an inspiration for her efforts and hardworking ethos.

Dodd & Co have always believed in “growing their own”, in order to provide a specialist network of knowledge, with in-house training and funded qualification prospects.

Having created 50 new positions over the last decade and employing an additional 21 new members of staff over the Covid period, Dodd & Co now employs 180 staff, and continues to grow.

Joanne’s new position is a fantastic testimony to the opportunities available at Dodd & Co.

Joanne said: “One thing I have always loved about Dodd & Co is the people.

"I have incredibly talented and dedicated colleagues, who have maintained a hardworking and determined attitude throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“This has enabled us to support our clients through a challenging year and ensured that we continue to provide the first-class client service that Dodd & Co is so very well known for.

“Even in such a difficult year, the positivity and camaraderie that is maintained whilst working from home was something to be reckoned with.

“I am very excited to start my new role as Partner and thrilled to have been given this opportunity.”

Dodd & Co are delighted to begin a New Year with such positive news and look forward to Joanne’s drive helping to lead staff and clients through what they hope will be a better, more prosperous year in 2021.