As an Audit and Advisory Partner, Kate loves working in the creative industries; enabling storytellers, content creators and editors to focus on their business, whilst trusting her and the team to look after the audit and accounting compliance and supporting their journey.
Since joining Ecovis in 2007, Kate has helped creatives answer the question “how do I know what I need to know, when I don’t know I need to know it?” and is there every step of the way. From starting out (or perhaps walking out), through periods of high demand for their content and acceleration of their financial performance to an eventual exit, be that succession planning or weighing-up investment opportunities.
As Head of Media & Entertainment, Kate is hugely passionate about supporting growing businesses and helping them realise their aspirational dreams. Calm and conscientious, Kate is always available to help solve problems and help navigate tricky waters. She loves nothing more than connecting with her peers, clients, team, contacts and competitors over a coffee or glass of wine ('virtual' or 'face-to-face!').
Kate's list of clients includes many of the UK’s Top 100 TV Production companies, whether they are subsidiaries of the super-indies or part of the Independent sector. Over recent years we have worked more closely with leading VFX experts, colorists, and animators, as well as business owners focused on the emergence of virtual production and edit.
As an Audit Partner, Kate takes her responsibilities to help improve the standards of our profession seriously, and to ensure that we deliver what we say, when we say we will, with the utmost focus on quality, always.
T. +44 (0) 207 317 6650
E. kate.barekati@ecovis.co.uk
As well as being the firm's managing partner, Gerry heads up the inbound start up work done in the practice, concentrating mainly on technology and financial markets sector clients from the US, Ireland and mainland Europe. Gerry travels on a regular basis to the US, Ireland and throughout the EU. See ‘Entering the UK Market’.
Gerry is the partner responsible for all SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) audits in the firm. The firm has over 20 years’ experience of dealing with a wide range of Securitisation structures.
Gerry joined the firm from a top 50 firm where he acted as relationship partner on a varied client portfolio. He previously worked for BDO for 10 years where he gained extensive experience from running a portfolio of corporate clients and providing business advice to specific clients.
Gerry currently provides a broad range of outsourcing services to a very varied portfolio of clients. These services include outsourcing of the accounting and reporting function and the provision of ad hoc advice as and when required. Gerry also retains an audit license, mainly to deal with FCA regulated Financial Markets clients.
Gerry heads up our service team working with online accounting in the technology and retail sectors.
He is also actively involved in the London Chapter of the Irish International Business Network, IIBN.
Specialities:
- Inbound start-up services for mainly US & EU parent entities looking to establish operations in the UK as a springboard to the EU/US depending on circumstances.
- Consultancy services to EU firms planning to open UK offices after Brexit, so they may continue to serve UK clients.
- FCA specialist for inbound start-ups covering all aspects of planning, tax, pre and post authorisation advisory work, and ongoing financial and tax compliance.
- Financial Services SPV auditor
- A qualified Executive Coach and Mentor to ILM Level 7
Connect with Gerry on LinkedIn
T. +44 (0) 207 317 6675
E. gerry.collins@ecovis.co.uk
Stuart is a Chartered Accountant with a Diploma in Corporate Finance and has worked in professional practice for 20 years dealing with a wide variety of businesses in a range of sectors.
He has spent the last 10 years as an Audit Partner, the last 7 years at RSM/Baker Tilly acting for entrepreneurs, AIM listed companies, international groups, UK subsidiaries of overseas listed entities and private equity backed companies.
Stuart’s experience in compliance and advisory work means he is uniquely positioned to add significant value to clients as they grow their businesses.
T. +44 (0) 207 495 2244
E. stuart.hinds@ecovis.co.uk
Robert became a partner with Ecovis Wingrave Yeats in 2003 and specialises in the provision of financial management outsourcing to a range of international and UK based clients. Robert’s client portfolio at Ecovis Wingrave Yeats includes the full range of capital markets clients. He also has a number of long standing international clients with pan-European operations, notably within the hospitality sector. Much of his work is referred to him by partners at the much larger international firms.
Robert is currently the elected Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ecovis International.
He previously spent 11 years with PwC where he played a senior role in providing audit and accounting services to a portfolio of global businesses across a range of business sectors and industries. He also built up a portfolio of overseas banking clients in the UK, largely from developing markets.
While at PwC Robert also played a significant role in developing the firm’s practices in Central and Eastern Europe and was seconded to the region for a 5 year period. His responsibilities included the co-ordination and management of international assignments (including a number of privatisation initiatives within major industry sectors), the implementation of global procedures and risk management initiatives, staff training and development. He also led a prestigious assignment to convert Bulgarian accounting standards and banking regulations to international best practice.
Robert qualified as a chartered accountant in 1989 with a four-partner firm in Dublin.
Specialties: Accounting and reporting, UK GAAP and IFRS, Banking and Capital Markets; support to UK inbound investors, particularly from the US, in establishing their operations and in maintaining an outsourced finance function to support their business development.
T. +44 (0) 773 615 0163
E. robert.mccann@ecovis.co.uk
As the firm's Head of Tax, Ruth is responsible for all tax compliance matters and identifying any specific tax opportunities for the business.
Ruth graduated from Leeds University, having gained a degree in Mathematics before training as an accountant at a medium sized practice in central London. Ruth soon discovered an enthusiasm for tax and moved departments in 2006, where she became a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser.
Ruth joined Ecovis in the Summer of 2019 and now leads a team of tax advisers who provide advice and guidance on a full range of commercial and complex matters including tax planning, UK inward investment, corporate structuring, R&D/creative reliefs, employee share schemes, and share valuations.
Although Ruth has a wealth of tax expertise and a broad range of skills, she has developed particular specialisms in corporate and property taxes, giving comprehensive advice on acquisitions, disposals and due diligence assignments as well as dealing with corporate reconstructions.
For 9 years, Ruth was responsible for the ‘in-house’ tax compliance function of a £2.1 billion real estate fund with many overseas investors and subject to US regulation. She currently provides advisory and compliance services to a £700m UK residential property fund; advising on all tax aspects including corporation tax, corporate interest restriction calculations, withholding tax and complex VAT advice. She liaises with the Swedish parent company regarding transfer pricing, thin capitalisation matters and tax reporting for worldwide consolidations.
T. +44 (0) 207 495 2244
E. ruth.potter@ecovis.co.uk
Ben is a Partner at Ecovis Wingrave Yeats, having joined the firm from PwC in 2006. In his time at Ecovis Ben has been heavily involved in the development of our Financial Services specialism and has been integral to the successful development and management of our Outsourced Accounting service line.
An ICAEW qualified accountant, Ben has also spent time in industry specialising in Insurance and Capital Markets, having also worked in France as an I.T Systems Analyst as part of his degree in Business Studies.
Ben’s client portfolio spans Financial Services, including all manner of FCA-regulated firms and structured finance vehicles. Aside from Financial Services Ben maintains a keen involvement in inbound investments to the UK, specifically excelling in accounting systems development and improvement.
Ben is a founding member of the Ecovis International Accounting Taskforce and is also our IT Partner.
T. +44 (0) 207 317 6655
E. ben.smith@ecovis.co.uk
Jessica is an Audit and Advisory Partner at Ecovis. Jessica’s client base spans a variety of the firm specialist sectors, ranging from owner-managed businesses through to working with international groups and UK subsidiaries of overseas listed entities. Jessica has spent the majority of her career focusing on audit, compliance and technical accounting matters and she holds considerable technical accounting expertise covering both UK GAAP and IFRS. Jessica has extensive experience leading audits ensuring strict deadlines are met, often working alongside Ecovis network firms. Jessica is also part of the audit team that deal exclusively with UK subsidiaries of US public companies that are subject to PCAOB oversight.
Jessica joined Ecovis in 2010 and she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2013. During her career at Ecovis, Jessica spent 7 months on secondment at FTSE 250 listed insurer Hastings Direct, assisting the Group Financial Reporting function in steering the business through its IPO.
T. +44 (0) 207 317 6657
E. jessica.teague@ecovis.co.uk
Since joining ECOVIS Wingrave Yeats in 2010, Ben has progressed to the position of Director within our Financial Management Outsourcing department. Working with clients across all of our sector specialisms, Ben’s emphasis is on providing intuitive financial models to both fast-growing owner-managed businesses and large, established corporates.
Ben plays a lead role in our Financial Services team, particularly focussing on Asset Managers, FX Brokers and Structured Finance vehicles, providing a full suite of management accounting services including FCA regulatory support. He has also completed a seven month secondment to FTSE 250 listed insurer Hastings Direct, during which time he assisted the Group Finance function in steering the business through its IPO.
T. +44 (0) 207 317 6685
E. ben.aspinall@ecovis.co.uk
Rob graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2006 with a 1st class degree in Accounting with Management. His career saw him train with PwC London for 3 years followed by another 3 years at Deloitte Cyprus in the Limassol office. In 2012 Rob joined Ecovis Wingrave Yeats where he is a Director in our Business Advisory department.
Rob’s client portfolio has a focus towards the Financial Markets Sector with a large number of FCA regulated entities. However, a varied portfolio also includes clients ranging from a casino equipment manufacturer to a group of food manufacturing companies.
Outside of work Rob enjoys to be active, he is an avid gym goer and founder of the Ecovis Wingrave Yeats football team.
T. +44 (0) 207 317 0982
E. rob.page@ecovis.co.uk
Roger is Director of Tax at Ecovis Wingrave Yeats, having joined the firm in 2007.
He qualified with a local firm in Kent and then spent 12 years in the corporate and international tax departments at Deloitte & Touche and Grant Thornton. More recently, he has worked for a FTSE 250 company, providing advice to the company’s clients on a wide range of tax issues.
Although Roger specialises in corporate and international tax at Ecovis, he also advises in other tax areas including VAT.
T. +44 (0) 207 317 6671
E. roger.morgan@ecovis.co.uk
Mike is a Tax Consultant at Ecovis. He studied law at university before qualifying at a local office of a large, global accountancy practice and then merging accountancy with law and transferring to tax. Although Mike has spent most of his career working within the Big 4 accountancy practices, he enjoys working with business owners, identifying tax opportunities for them and helping them save money by minimising both their tax liabilities and the tax liabilities of their companies, be this in the UK or elsewhere.
He has recently retired from being a member of the International Tax Technical Committee of the Institute for Chartered Accounts in England and Wales, of which he is a fellow. Prior to this he was a member of the Small and Medium-sized Business Tax Technical Committee. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and has recently retired from being a member of the International Fiscal Association.
T. +44 (0) 207 495 2244
E. mike.adams@ecovis.co.uk
Emily is a qualified ACCA accountant and has worked in our Financial Management Outsourcing department since 2005, during which time she has progressed to the position of Financial Controller.
In her time at Ecovis Wingrave Yeats Emily has been heavily involved in the development of our outsourced service offering and deals with a large number of inbound investors to the UK. Her client portfolio has been very diverse and included a number of substantial clients including Marriott European Holdings. Emily also has experience across a range of industry sectors including retail, property funds and technology specialisms including Rynda, Bijou Brigitte, D&D Leasing, Hello Fresh and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Emily is a results-focused, enthusiastic and resourceful Financial Controller. Her proven ability and valuable experience enable Emily to provide key financial data, support and reporting to assist in key business decisions.
T. +44 (0) 207 495 2244
E. emily.grice@ecovis.co.uk
James has over thirty years’ experience in tax, during which time his principle focus has been on personal taxation.
Tax is a fact of life for most people, but there are situations when correct and timely advice will allow for an orderly process in which any tax liabilities are anticipated and budgeted for. Key to this is establishing a comprehensive understanding of individual circumstances, whether this is in relation to a specific transaction or planning for the longer term.
James has worked over many years with private individuals and business owners to ensure that, of course, compliance requirements are met but more importantly, to identify planning opportunities for tax mitigation and structuring for wealth preservation.
Joining Ecovis on a consultancy basis in August 2019, he became a full-time member of our tax team in October 2020.
James and his family share their lives with three dogs, so walking takes up a good proportion of their time away from work!
T. +44 (0) 207 495 2244
E. james.macdonald@ecovis.co.uk
With over 20 years' experience as a qualified marketing professional (FCIM, MSc (Distinction), I am hugely passionate about my field!
Having a deep understanding of brand strategy and working in a variety of sectors prior to joining Ecovis enables me to draw from multiple industry perspectives and introduce new ideas to our professional services firm and the Ecovis International network.
I take my responsibility to support our clients and fellow marketers very seriously, especially during these turbulent times. This is why I endeavour to share expertise and guidance, so that we may help our clients and business community respond to the impact of COVID-19 and focus on driving the economy forward in a purposeful and sustainable way.
A keen gardener and scuba diver, when not in the office, I can invariably be found digging in the mud or finning in the 'big blue'!
T. +44 (0) 207 317 0987
E. kathy.innes@ecovis.co.uk
Sally is a Manager within our Business Advisory department; she is ICAS qualified and joined Ecovis in early 2019, having spent the previous four years at an accountancy firm in Aberdeen.
Sally manages a portfolio of audit clients in a variety of industries and has gained exposure to a wide range of clients from small, owner managed businesses through to large international groups. She develops a deep understanding of the day-to-day operations of a business, in order to make commercial recommendations to clients.
In managing statutory audit assignments, Sally has gained a wealth of experience in delivering excellent client service, ensuring strict deadlines are being met, and liaising with finance teams.
T. +44 (0) 207 495 2244
E. sally.casson@ecovis.co.uk
Louisa trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in a small central London firm of Accountants. When this firm merged with Ecovis Wingrave Yeats in March 2013 she initially took up a role as Manager in the tax department.
Louisa later moved to the outsourcing department where she continues to manage a large portfolio of clients and entrepreneurs ranging from fin-tech start-ups to small owner-managed family companies.
T. +44 (0) 207 317 6662
E. lousia.oliver@ecovis.co.uk
Michael joined Ecovis with two years industry experience and trained in the Audit and Advisory team before qualifying as a chartered accountant in August 2018. Since then he has managed statutory audits for a wide variety of clients in a range of sectors, from small, owner-managed businesses through to large international groups.
Michael is currently studying towards the CISI Diploma in Corporate Finance final paper, having passed his first paper in June 2019.
T. +44 (0) 207 495 2244
E. michael.storey@ecovis.co.uk
Phone: tel: +44 (0) 207 495 2244
Email: enquiries@ecovis.co.uk
