Expertise: Accounting, Audit & Business Compliance, Corporate Recovery

Work and clients: Steve takes great pride in being the first person many of his clients will call when they need help. He relishes his role as a sounding board and has a substantial network of contacts which enable him to bring in additional expertise when it is needed. He helps clients with strategic business issues such as acquisitions which enhance the business, advice which is valued whether the client is an owner-manager or listed on AIM.

The route to Shipleys: Trained with a small practice in Baker Street before cutting his teeth on audits for a couple of years at BDO Stoy Hayward. Joined Rothman Pantall in 1981, becoming a partner in 1984. The London office of Rothman Pantall merged with Shipleys in 2007.

Memberships: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Association of Business Recovery Professionals, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Aim:

“To help clients get the most from their business opportunities so as to achieve their personal goals.”

Most entertaining deal or case:

Upon appointment as receivers to a night club/restaurant, we arranged to meet the stocktakers in a pub car park down the road. This was to avoid alerting the owners that we were coming, so that the stock of booze and cash in the tills could be secured. About half an hour after the agreed meeting time, with no sign of the stocktakers, I began to fear the worst! Sure enough they called to say they had been to the premises, met the owner who had told them to take a hike. By the time we arrived, no stock and no tills. Not the military operation we had planned.

Proudest professional moments:

“As receiver of a large tour operator, I followed a hunch which resulted in the sale of a subsidiary to management for over £350,000. The MD had offered £1 on the day we were appointed, explaining that the company was hopelessly bust. I took the last flight of the day to Northern Ireland in order to be waiting in a coffee shop to confront the managing director when he unlocked the office first thing the following morning. He had failed to mention that the company had not been operating VAT properly and a refund of some £300,000 was imminent.”

What I like about my job:

“Being at the 'centre of the web' and seeing good advice lead to good results.”

Interests outside work:

Steve is a fanatical Arsenal fan, has held a season ticket for over 15 years and especially enjoys supporting the team in European competitions. He plays golf but is perhaps best at the 19th hole! Steve owns and sails a catamaran, although this is currently “moored” in his front garden rather than at a swanky marina!