Littlechild & Haley has been named Runner-Up in the Small Business Growth Awards 2026 South West & Wales, recognising the firm’s rapid growth, strong leadership and clear strategic direction.
The awards, delivered by HSBC UK in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), celebrate high-performing small businesses that demonstrate innovation, resilience and sustainable growth.
For Littlechild & Haley, a specialist internal audit, risk and governance consultancy headquartered in Cardiff, the recognition marks an important milestone in the firm’s development.
It also follows the firm’s recent shortlisting for Professional Services StartUp of the Year at the Welsh regional finals of the UK StartUp Awards. Together, the two recognitions reflect a strong start for Littlechild & Haley and growing external recognition of the firm’s specialist, independent approach to internal audit, risk and assurance.
Founded by Chartered Internal Auditors Donna Littlechild and Paul Haley, Littlechild & Haley has quickly established itself as a pure-play, independent internal audit firm, working with boards, audit committees and executive teams across the public, regulated and complex commercial sectors.
The firm is known for its partner-led delivery model, people-centred ethos and focus on helping organisations manage risks to success.
Donna Littlechild, Co-Founder of Littlechild & Haley, said:
“Being recognised as a Runner-Up in the Small Business Growth Awards is a real honour. It reflects the commitment of our team, the trust our clients place in us, and our belief that internal audit should be practical, forward-looking and genuinely supportive of organisational success. We’re proud of the business we’re building and the values that sit at its heart.”
Paul Haley, Co-Founder of Littlechild & Haley, added:
“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it validates the direction we’ve deliberately chosen: building a specialist, independent internal audit firm that prioritises quality, senior input and long-term relationships. We’ve been clear that growth should never come at the expense of independence or professional standards, and it’s hugely encouraging to have that approach recognised by HSBC and the FSB.”
The award comes at a pivotal point for the firm, with planned growth in May 2026 into Bristol, Birmingham, London and Belfast, extending Littlechild & Haley’s reach beyond its Cardiff base.
This expansion reflects increasing demand for the firm’s specialist internal audit model and supports its long-term ambition to build a national, digitally enabled, pure-assurance practice.
While the recognition is a welcome moment for the team, Donna and Paul are clear that growth is not being pursued for its own sake. Littlechild & Haley remains committed to independence by design, partner-led delivery and building trusted relationships with clients who want assurance work that provides genuine insight.
