Aim: "To provide high quality service to clients." Expertise: Private client services and business compliance services. Work and Clients: James is a general practice principal, looking after all aspects of owner-managed businesses, accounts preparation and audits, personal and corporate tax, estate planning and offshore tax planning structures. His clients include family-owned businesses, Lloyds Corporate names, shipping industry, professional practices, leisure sector, retail and property. James is also the firm’s audit and financial services compliance principal and a director of Orange Corporate Finance. The route to Shipleys: Qualified at Knill Padgham & Grande, a predecessor firm of Shipleys, where he became a partner in 1984. Memberships: Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Chairman of Shipleys Audit Technical Committee and a member of the Greek Cypriot Accountants Association.

Most entertaining deal or case: “A successful management buyout of a well- known London restaurant, against all odds. Delicate negotiations with third parties to close the deal at 11:30 in the evening.” What I like about my job: “The personal contact with clients and the unpredictability of the work. The adrenalin rush of working under pressure.” Proudest professional moments: "Handing over the keys to the new owner in the restaurant deal mentioned above, or being recommended from one generation of a family to another." Interests outside work: Martial Arts - has trained regularly since 1979 and holds 6th Dan black belt in Shotokan Karate.