Aim: "To help entrepreneurs do the deal which moves their business to the next stage." Expertise: Corporate finance, business compliance services, business tax planning, company secretarial services. Work and Clients: Ben looks after the audit and accounting requirements of fast growing entrepreneurial business, which often need to draw on his corporate finance experience to move forward effectively. His expertise in this area includes financial and commercial due diligence, both for business owners contemplating an acquisition and lenders looking at a borrowing request, debt finance and restructuring and advising on the process of floating on markets such as AIM and Plus. The route to Shipleys: Trained and qualified with Deloittes in Cambridge, moved to London where he worked for Haines Watts and then on to Shipleys in 2002. Became a Principal in 2007. Memberships: Fellow of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Most entertaining deal or case: "Visiting Sierra Leone to audit a diamond mine was hugely enjoyable. Being searched by the Customs officials on the way back was not!" What I like about my job: "The challenge of bringing it all together" Proudest professional moments: "The successful conclusion of a management buy-out of a photocopying business. Although I had been involved in a lot of corporate finance deals, this was the first transaction where I was the lead advisor, put the finance together, helped negotiated the deal and really contributed to making it all happen." Interests outside work: Ben visits the gym regularly. He is a long time fan of Liverpool FC and travels to see them play whenever he can.