HaysMac is delighted to announce that Meia Manton-Jones, Director in the firm’s Property team, and Will Winstone, Audit and Learning & Development Director, have been recognised in Accountancy Age’s 35 Under 35 2026, celebrating talented and influential young leaders shaping the future of the accountancy profession.
Having joined HaysMac as a trainee in 2016, Meia has built an outstanding reputation as a trusted advisor to some of the firm’s most significant property clients. Promoted to Director in January 2026, she combines technical excellence with strong commercial insight, helping clients navigate complex accounting, audit and business challenges while contributing significantly to the growth of HaysMac’s Property practice.
Alongside leading a portfolio of complex real estate businesses, Meia plays a key role in developing future talent, driving team performance and supporting audit quality across the firm. As a member of the Property management board, she has helped shape a high-performing and inclusive culture while mentoring and developing the next generation of professionals.
Beyond her client work, Meia is a passionate advocate for improving opportunities and visibility for women in business. She co-founded the FutureGen Female Event Series and recently launched ConnectHer, a growing community that brings together senior female leaders, founders and allies to build networks, share experiences and create opportunities for future generations.
Commenting on the recognition, Meia said: “I’m incredibly proud to be recognised in this year’s Accountancy Age 35 Under 35. This recognition reflects the support and opportunities I’ve been fortunate to receive throughout my career, both from colleagues at HaysMac and from the clients I’ve had the privilege of working alongside.
Alongside advising clients, one of the most rewarding aspects of my role is bringing people together, whether that’s supporting future talent, creating opportunities for women in finance and business, or helping others build meaningful professional networks. I’m honoured to be included among such an inspiring group of professionals and excited about the future of our profession.”
Also recognised in this year’s Accountancy Age 35 Under 35, Will joined HaysMac as a trainee and has since built a reputation for combining commercial delivery, people leadership and practical innovation to help shape a modern, high-performing and future-ready audit profession. Alongside leading a £1 million client portfolio, he sits on HaysMac’s Audit Executive Team, plays a key role in recruitment, talent development and leadership capability across the audit practice.
As firmwide Head of Learning & Development, Will has repositioned L&D as a strategic driver of performance and audit quality. He has designed and delivered more than 50 structured training programmes, embedded clear development pathways across all grades and supported hundreds of trainees and managers through exams, performance frameworks and career progression.
Will is also helping HaysMac respond to the integration of AI into audit and client service. As a member of the firm’s AI Committee, he focuses on embedding AI responsibly into day-to-day workflows to enhance audit quality and client experience, while preserving the professional scepticism and judgement on which the profession depends.
Will said: “I’m honoured to be recognised in this year’s Accountancy Age 35 Under 35. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with exceptional clients and colleagues, and this recognition reflects the support and opportunities they’ve provided along the way. What motivates me most is helping businesses navigate complex challenges while also investing in the people and capabilities that will shape the future of our profession.
Whether through client service, learning and development, or the responsible adoption of new technologies, I believe we have a real opportunity to strengthen audit quality, develop future leaders and deliver even greater value to the organisations we work with. I’m excited to continue contributing to that journey.”
Speaking of Meia and Will’s inclusion in this year’s listing, Natasha Frangos, Managing Partner, said: “This recognition is richly deserved. Meia and Will have established themselves as two incredibly influential emerging leaders within their respective teams and the wider firm. They combine exceptional technical expertise with commercial pragmatism, outstanding client service and a genuine commitment to developing those around them.
“The breadth of their impact sets Meia and Will apart. They are trusted advisors to clients, passionate advocates for people development and are helping to shape the future of our profession. Whether they’re supporting clients through complex challenges, mentoring future leaders, creating stronger professional networks or helping our people embrace new technologies responsibly, they embody what we mean by For Business. For People. For Good. We are incredibly proud to see them recognised by Accountancy Age.”
This announcement follows an exceptional 12 months for HaysMac. Most recently, the firm was recognised for the third consecutive year as one of The Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Work 2026 – Big Organisation’ and named ‘DEI Champion of the Year’ at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards,. These achievements build on HaysMac’s inclusion in eprivateclient’s ‘Top Accountancy Firms’ for 2025, ranking the leading UK tax advisory firms serving domestic and international private clients, their businesses, and families.
In January 2026, HaysMac celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter century of delivering exceptional service, fostering talent, and making a lasting impact across the business and social purpose community. This milestone year also saw the strategic acquisition of corporate finance firm Green Square, further strengthening HaysMac’s deal advisory capabilities. Alongside this, the firm acquired Moore DM’s US Tax team, enhancing its international tax compliance offering and Private Client Tax expertise to provide seamless cross-border support.
