Chris Barkess - Partner, Founding
Chris trained with a local firm of Chartered Accountants based in Stockton on Tees before moving into industry working for the UK division of a US multi-national. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ("FCA").
Moving overseas in 1989 Chris spent much of his international career as Chief Finance Officer in Africa with successive national and international companies within the investment portfolio of the Commonwealth Development Corporation (UK Government) before returning to the UK in 2002 to set up the practice.
Chris has gained much experience over the years and supports clients as a specialist business adviser whilst taking a lesser day to day executive role in the practice.
Moving overseas in 1989 Chris spent much of his international career as Chief Finance Officer in Africa with successive national and international companies within the investment portfolio of the Commonwealth Development Corporation (UK Government) before returning to the UK in 2002 to set up the practice.
Chris has gained much experience over the years and supports clients as a specialist business adviser whilst taking a lesser day to day executive role in the practice.
Jon Barkess - Partner, Business Support
Jon worked in the engineering sector before joining the firm in 2006, gaining full membership to the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT) in 2009.
After six years working in the firm Jon left in 2012 to gain industry experience in a fixed term executive role as Head of Finance in an agribusiness start up project in West Africa.
After several years abroad moving the project from start-up to revenue generation Jon returned to the UK, further enhancing his industry experience with senior management roles in finance and business development in both the private and public sector before returning to the practice in January 2018.
Jon holds a full membership to the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE).
After six years working in the firm Jon left in 2012 to gain industry experience in a fixed term executive role as Head of Finance in an agribusiness start up project in West Africa.
After several years abroad moving the project from start-up to revenue generation Jon returned to the UK, further enhancing his industry experience with senior management roles in finance and business development in both the private and public sector before returning to the practice in January 2018.
Jon holds a full membership to the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE).
Mandy Hodgson - Operations
Mandy is an experienced business manager who brings a wealth of skills gained in both the private and public sector, having spent several years working within the NHS before joining the practice in 2012. Mandy provides management accounting, financial reporting and taxation services to our clients and manages the practice on a day to day basis.
Mandy holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management, is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT) and is currently working towards ACCA status.
Mandy holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management, is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT) and is currently working towards ACCA status.
Jenny Townsley - Accounting Technician
Jenny joined the practice in 2019 and has recently completed her AAT Professional Diploma. Jenny is an excellent business administrator and provides payroll and bookkeeping services for our clients.