Member Spotlight: Emma Ball, Partner, Alexander & Co

Introduce yourself

I’m Emma Ball, Partner at Alexander & Co, an independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers based in Manchester.

I specialise in supporting owner-managed businesses, helping entrepreneurs and leadership teams understand their numbers, strengthen their financial foundations and make informed decisions as their businesses grow.

I joined Alexander & Co early in my career and have been fortunate to build my journey with the firm, qualifying at Alexander & Co and progressing through to Partner.

This year is a particularly special one for the firm as Alexander & Co celebrates its 50th anniversary. Remaining independent for five decades is something we are incredibly proud of. It means we have retained the ability to build long-term relationships, make decisions based on what is right for our clients and stay close to the businesses we advise.

Being an independent business ourselves is important because we understand many of the same challenges our clients experience. We know what it is like to think about growth, investing in people, developing talent, managing change and planning for the future. We are not just advisers looking in from the outside; we are business owners too.

Having spent many years working closely with growing businesses, I have developed a real appreciation and understanding of the challenges business owners face, from managing growth and cash flow to planning for what comes next.

Career highlight

Becoming a Partner at Alexander & Co is a career highlight. Having started my career with the firm, it was incredibly rewarding to reach that milestone and continue contributing to the future growth of the business.

However, some of the most rewarding moments are not necessarily the formal milestones. It is seeing the businesses and people I have worked with over many years achieve their ambitions.

Whether that is helping a start-up navigate its early stages, supporting a growing company through a period of change or helping an owner understand the value they have created, those relationships are what make the role so enjoyable.

Being part of a firm that has supported generations of business owners across the North West is something I am particularly proud of. Many of the relationships we have built span years and, in some cases, decades. This reflects the trust that comes from working alongside businesses through different stages of their journey.

Name three words that describe your personality

Curious. Practical. Supportive.

I like understanding how businesses work, what makes them successful and what challenges they are facing. Every business is different, and I enjoy getting beneath the surface rather than simply looking at the numbers.

What’s the best thing about pro-manchester?

The community. Manchester has always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and pro-manchester brings together such a diverse group of ambitious businesses and professionals who genuinely want to support each other.

The relationships are what make the network valuable. It creates opportunities to meet people from different sectors, share experiences and build connections that can make a real difference to businesses across the region.

I think Manchester’s professional community is particularly special because there is a real willingness to collaborate. People genuinely want to help each other succeed and that creates a fantastic environment for businesses to grow.

What are your priorities for the next 12 months?

Continuing to support ambitious businesses through what remains a constantly changing environment.

Many of the businesses we work with are looking to grow, invest and develop, but they are also facing increasing complexity around costs, recruitment, funding and long-term planning. My focus is helping business owners have the financial insight and confidence they need to make good decisions.

I am also passionate about continuing to develop the next generation of talent within Alexander & Co and supporting our team as the firm continues to grow.

As we celebrate our 50th year, it is also an exciting opportunity to look ahead, continuing to build on the relationships and reputation that have been established over five decades while adapting to the changing needs of modern businesses.

What do you think are the most important things happening in Manchester at the moment?

Manchester continues to be an incredibly exciting place to do business. The city has a fantastic mix of established companies, ambitious entrepreneurs and growing sectors, particularly in areas such as technology, professional services, property and creative industries.

What stands out most is the collaboration. There is a real willingness among businesses and professionals to share knowledge, support each other and contribute to the wider success of the region.

The entrepreneurial spirit in Manchester is something that continues to impress me. There is a real ambition among businesses here, but also a strong sense of community.

Favourite meeting place in Manchester

I always enjoy finding somewhere that allows for a good conversation.

Manchester has so many great independent cafés, restaurants and meeting spaces, but I think the best meetings are usually the ones where you leave having learned something new or made a valuable connection.

For me, the location matters less than the quality of the conversation. The best meetings are the ones where ideas are shared, challenges are discussed and new relationships are built.

Are there any particular types of businesses that you would like to meet?

I would particularly like to connect with ambitious owner-managed businesses across Greater Manchester. Whether they are established companies looking to grow, businesses preparing for their next stage or entrepreneurs building something from the ground up.

I also welcome meeting with other professional advisers, including lawyers, wealth advisers, corporate finance professionals and those who support business owners. Often the best outcomes for clients are when advisers work together and bring different perspectives to help businesses succeed.

At Alexander & Co, many of our strongest relationships have been built through collaboration with other trusted advisers who share the same goal: helping business owners make informed decisions and achieve their ambitions.

Get in touch

Emma Ball, Partner, Alexander & Co

Website: https://alexander.co.uk/about-alexander-co/partners/emma-ball/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-ball-124b449/