Our dedicated team of experts specialise in a variety of fields giving you and your business unbeatable service, support and advice. With over 55 staff Knill James has grown into a modern, forward thinking firm with a positive training and development culture.
Chris Ketley – Senior Partner
Chris is a Senior 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 on the provision of agile business improvement advice; through his extensive experience within audit, assurance, ATOL and FCA re`porting, management accounting and proactive taxation advice (including International).
Chris is a member of the global Mindshop Business Strategy, Development & Facilitation network of advisors.
chris@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484939
Kevin Powell - Senior Partner
Kevin is a Senior Partner of the firm, and has been a Partner at Knill James since 1990. Kevin heads up our agricultural and viticulture teams, providing extensive consultancy advice for this highly specialist sector. Kevin has specialist expertise in the tax consequences relating to succession planning and diversification; having been involved with and provided consultancy advice for many landed estates and agricultural businesses.
Kevin is the current National Chairman of the UK200 Group which is the UK’s leading association of Independent Accountants & Law Firms. He is Governor at Hurstpierpoint College and also Chairs their financial board.
kevin@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484917
Sue Foster - Charities & Education Partner
Sue has been a Partner at Knill James since 1995, and specialises in the charity, independent schools & academies sector. She has many years of experience providing expert business and tax advice to owner managed businesses, from the self-employed to large corporate clients. Sue provides knowledgeable advice and audit assurance to charity, independent schools and academy clients, based on her considerable experience of this ever-changing regulatory environment.
sue@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484910
Nick Rawson - Tax Partner
Nick has been a partner at Knill James since 1995, and heads up the delivery and quality of taxation services across the firm. He also provides audit and assurance services to some of Knill James’ largest clients and 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.
nick@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484923
David W Martin - Corporate Finance Partner
David joined Knill James from Mazars LLP in 2010 where he had been a Partner for 9 years. He also has experience in a “Big Four” practice where he worked internationally providing assurance and business advisory services. David has over 30 years audit experience mainly in advising owner-managed businesses, with a significant number being in manufacturing and FMCG sectors.
David heads up our Corporate Finance team and has a wealth of experience in advising special purpose reporting, investigations and due diligence. He is South East Member of the UK200 Corporate Finance Panel and a regular speaker at IAPA International conferences.
david@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484933
Lorna Sizer - Personal Tax Director
Lorna is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Tax Advisors and of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She has over 30 years’ experience advising individuals, families, partnerships, directors and shareholders of corporate structures on all aspects of their tax affairs. Lorna joined Knill James from Mazars LLP in 2014.
lornas@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484909
Mike Chapman - Corporate Tax Director
Mike Chapman is Director of Corporate Tax 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.
mikec@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484913
Kirsty Wilson - Corporate Finance Director
Kirsty is a specialist corporate finance advisor for owner managed businesses. She joined Knill James in 2007 from a top 15 accountancy practice and has more than 10 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.
kirstyw@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484921
Mark Filsell - Technical Director
Mark has a wealth of experience gained from over 25 years in practice, including working as a Senior Manager in a top ten firm. He acts as engagement manager for a portfolio of clients, including owner-managed businesses and groups. Mark assists the team and clients with any issues ranging from statutory audit questions, corporate governance and business planning.
markf@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484941
Dominic Shepherd - Senior Manager Finance, Administration and IT
Dominic has worked at Knill James for 20 years starting within our tax team, having previously qualified working for other national mid-tier practices. Dominic heads up the Professional Support Group (PSG) who look after all the finance, IT, administration, HR, marketing and facilities management for the firm.
dominics@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 480480
Kieran Smith - Outsourcing Manager
Kieran heads up the outsourcing department, focusing on providing an internal finance function for SME’s. Kieran joined Knill James from an industry role, where he was Head of Finance for a large SME group with activities across Europe. Prior to this, Kieran worked in practice with a mid-tier firm providing audit, due diligence and forensic services to a diverse portfolio of clients of both SME’s and listed groups.
kierans@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484915
Alison Sampson - Senior VAT Consultant
Alison is our dedicated Senior VAT Specialist with over 30 years’ experience in practice preceded by 10 years with HM Customs & Excise. She has wealth of knowledge & experience in all areas of VAT , and is skilled at providing practical explanations & solutions to complex VAT issues.
alisonsampson@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 485083
Debbie Beckham - Payroll Manager
Debbie is a fellow of the CIPP and qualified to a master’s degree in payroll and business management. She has a wealth of knowledge and over 30 years’ experience within both the private and public sector.
Debbie’s ethos for accuracy and attention to detail enables our Knill James Payroll Solutions team to provide a level of a high quality client service with a personal touch.
debbieb@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484912