Our dedicated team of experts specialises 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 – Partner
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 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 - Partner
Kevin is a 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
Mark Filsell - Partner
Mark has over 25 years’ experience in practice, including working as a Senior Manager in a top ten firm. He advises a wide range of clients - from OMBs to large groups - on issues ranging from statutory audit to corporate governance and business planning. He also has extensive experience in the charities, independent schools and academies sector.
mark@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484941
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
George Clayson - Business Advisory Associate Director
George has specialised in due diligence and deal advisory services for over 15 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.
georgec@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484909
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
Jamie Bird - Tax Manager
Jamie is a manager in our Private Client team and advises on all aspects of taxation relating to clients’ personal tax affairs and those of their unincorporated businesses. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Tax Advisers and has nearly 10 years’ experience advising on taxation matters.
jamesb@knilljames.co.uk - 01273 484932
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
Leanne Chant - Senior Manager, Audit
Leanne is the Manager 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.
Dr Shona Wardrop - Senior Manager, Audit - Charities and Education
Shona has nearly 20 years’ experience working with charity and not-for-profit sector clients on audit and accounts preparation. Having spent time on various charity boards, she also has an insider’s perspective on the internal workings and governance of charities.
Julia Mayne - Business Services Group Manager
Julia is the manager of our Business Services Group and specialises in preparing accounts for a wide variety of SMEs across a broad range of business sectors. She has extensive knowledge and experience of financial statements, having worked for over 20 years in industry and private practice.
Donna Beddis - Outsourcing Manager
Donna manages our Outsourcing team and specialises in the preparation of management accounts and accounting software solutions. With over 15 years’ experience in industry and private practice, she is highly skilled at working with a wide range of businesses from sole traders through to large limited companies.
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