KNILL JAMES - Key Persons
Alison is our dedicated Senior VAT Specialist with over 30 years' experience, including 10 years with HMRC. She has a wealth of knowledge & experience in all areas of VAT, and is skilled at providing practical explanations & solutions to complex VAT issues.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Global Mindshop Business Strategy
Chris is a Partner at Knill James with a specialism in proactive, multi-disciplinary business consultancy with over 30 years of significant SME/OMB expertise. He has been a Partner with Knill James since 1988. Chris specialises in business coaching and mentoring, strategic development and non-exec services, and is passionate about delivering these to clients who are equally as passionate about their businesses and future plans. He is an expert in the provision of agile business improvement advice, as a result of his extensive experience within audit, assurance, ATOL and FCA reporting, management accounting and proactive taxation advice (including International).
Chris is a member of the global Mindshop Business Strategy, Development & Facilitation network of advisors.
David joined Knill James from Mazars LLP in 2010 where he had been a Partner for 9 years. He also has experience in two "Big Four" practices where he worked internationally providing assurance and business advisory services. David has over 30 years' audit experience and specialises in advising both international groups and owner-managed businesses, particularly in the property and manufacturing sectors.
David has a wealth of experience in advising on special purpose reporting, investigations, and due diligence. He is South East Member of the UK200 Corporate Finance Panel and is a regular speaker on Corporate Finance at international conferences.
Job Titles:
- Business Advisory Director
George has specialised in due diligence and deal advisory services for over 20 years and has advised clients across a wide range of sectors and deal sizes. He is also experienced in providing strategic and business advice to start-ups and growing companies.
Jacquie has worked in the payroll sector for over 30 years and her experience covers the whole range, from single employee payrolls to Umbrella payrolls in the construction industry processing over 15,000 employees per week over multiple frequencies. As head of our Payroll Bureau, Jacquie aims to provide a friendly, professional, accurate and personalised service to all our clients, large or small.
Jamie is a Tax Director in our Private Client team and has worked in tax and accounting for over ten years. Initially he trained as an accountant before specialising in Private Client Tax. He now advises clients on all aspects of taxation relating to their personal tax affairs, ranging from Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax, to employee share schemes/ incentivisation, including EMI schemes. Jamie is a member of the Chartered Institute of Tax Advisers.
Kevin is a Consultant at the firm and was formerly a Partner from 1990 to April 2023. He will continue to work with us and our clients to facilitate continuity of our client service and advice, as well as being an ambassador for the firm.
Kirsty is an award-winning corporate finance adviser for owner managed businesses. She joined Knill James in 2007 from a top 15 accountancy practice and has nearly 20 years' experience in lead advisory corporate finance. Kirsty provides support to business owners at all stages of the business life-cycle. She has led many businesses through transactions and has a particular specialism for acquisitions, disposals, company valuations, MBOs, MBIs and restructuring.
In 2023 Kirsty was named Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year at the South East Dealmakers Awards, and she also won the Financial Services category at the Sussex & Surrey Dynamic Awards for women business leaders.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Our Audit
Leanne is the Director of our Audit and Assurance Group and specialises in audits and accounts preparation for larger corporate clients. With over 20 years' experience, she has detailed knowledge of a wide variety of businesses and organisations, ranging from construction companies and insurance brokers to travel agents and academies.
Mike Chapman heads up our Tax Department having joined the firm in 2015. He takes the lead on all corporate tax consultancy matters within the firm, having previously been with a number of national mid-tier and big four practices. Mike is an experienced speaker on technical issues and a regular contributor to local business publications.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Joint Managing Partner
Nick has been a partner at Knill James since 1995 and provides audit and assurance services to some of Knill James' largest clients. He also has significant experience in providing business advisory services to a wide range of clients, both individuals and companies. Nick delivers tailored business and tax advice to clients from a diverse ranges of sectors, including Professional practices, Food & Drink, Manufacturing and Property and Construction.
Sarah is an FCCA and started her career in practice with PwC. With more than 20 years' experience in finance and project management, Sarah specialises in business process improvement and is responsible for managing the firm's internal systems and procedures.