Expertise: Accounting, Audit & Business Compliance, Business Tax Planning, Private Clients

Work and clients: Steve looks after private clients and owner-managed businesses, predominantly in the entertainment & media sector. He specialises in dealing with independent film and television producers, film studios and intermediaries such as completion guarantors and banks.

Steve’s work includes pre-shoot planning and structuring to ensure qualification for tax incentives where available, advice during production covering such areas as VAT, double tax treaties, withholding tax and national insurance, as well as the ultimate audit of the production and liaison with the financier.

He spoke at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival at a seminar organised by the UK Film Council about the UK tax reliefs and scope for future collaborative projects.

The route to Shipleys: Qualified as a lawyer before joining Shipleys in 1992 and qualifying both as a chartered accountant and chartered tax accountant. He became a principal in 2001.

Memberships: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Film & Entertainment faculty. Steve is an adviser to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and assisted PACT (the UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies) in their discussions with DCMS concerning producer fees.

Aim:

"To make a difference in the media and entertainment industries."

Most entertaining deal or case:

“Advising just about the biggest budget British film ever made.”

Proudest professional moments:

“Looking through the list of Oscar nominees to see how many of my clients are there – especially when I know that I played a key role in getting the production off the ground.”

What I like about my job:

“My overview of the various parts of the industry and how they come together to get films made is almost unique. I like the sheer complexity of some of the proposals and structuring them to get the tax breaks. It’s especially pleasing to help structure a project to get it off the ground and see it through to completion of the audit at the end. I enjoy meeting a variety of producers and working on a big range of productions. Going along to the occasional Premiere is nice.”

Interests outside work:

Steve is married with three children and lives in Blackheath where he is quite involved in local issues. He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.