Hello
I am a Partner at Smith Cooper, providing auditing, accounting and taxation services to a range of clients operating in a variety of sectors. I also provide general business advice on a number of different issues, including business planning and strategy, particularly in the healthcare and food-and-drink sectors.
What can I do for your organisation?
Having over 30 years’ experience, I can offer you and your business advice that is not only realistic and commercially viable, but also sensitive to your needs.
Experience counts
I qualified as a chartered accountant in 1984 after training with a sole practitioner. On qualifying, I joined Deloitte Haskins & Sells in Nottingham to work in their general practice department. During my time with the firm, I was promoted to assistant manager. Deloitte Haskins & Sells merged with Coopers & Lybrand in 1990, and I headed up their middle market department, being promoted to senior manager in 1991.
Between 1994 and 1997, I took a career break, which was spent in absorbing the culture in Holland with my husband’s job. After this I rejoined Coopers & Lybrand in Derby to build up the middle-market group in this office. Coopers & Lybrand merged with PriceWaterhouse in 1998, and I worked for this firm until February 2002, spending the last year in Nottingham. I then joined Smith Cooper in February 2002 as a senior manager in their audit and assurance group. I was promoted to partner in July 2005.
Throughout my career, I have been involved in dealing with owner-managed businesses in a wide range of sectors and with turnovers ranging between £1 million and £100 million.
I have sat on the board of governors at an independent girls’ school since 2007. In 2008 I became chairman of the audit committee at Derby College, and I also became a member of the corporation at that time. I was subsequently elected to be the chair of the corporation at Derby College from March 2011.
Deeper knowledge
I have expertise working with clients in a wide range of sectors, notably healthcare, food and drink, and charities.
In the healthcare sector, I currently look after several businesses that are involved in pharmaceuticals and care homes, specifically homes for adults with learning difficulties. I have also been involved in a number of transactions in this sector, both acquisitions and disposals and due diligence reviews for banks.
Personally speaking
My interests outside work revolve around keeping fit. I love to run, cycle and work out at the gym. After all that and looking after the family and two dogs, in any spare time I like to relax either with friends or a visit to the cinema.