In this Ecovis French Desk Spotlight interview, we asked Lourdes Caceres all about her role at Ecovis UK, her experience supporting international businesses, and how our French Desk helps French companies navigate the UK market.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and your role at Ecovis?
My name is Lourdes Caceres, and I’m an International Accounting Associate at Ecovis Wingrave Yeats. I work with both UK and international clients, supporting them with accounting, compliance, VAT, payroll coordination, and statutory reporting requirements. A significant part of my role involves helping overseas businesses understand and navigate the UK regulatory and business environment.
Can you share a bit about your professional background and areas of expertise?
I began my career in a finance team when I first moved to London, which gave me a strong foundation in accounting and financial operations. I then went on to work in several accountancy practices supporting both UK and international businesses, and I’ve been part of Ecovis Wingrave Yeats for the past four years.
Throughout my career, I have developed extensive experience working with French-owned businesses operating in the UK. This has allowed me to gain a strong understanding of the practical, regulatory, and cultural challenges that companies can face when expanding into a new market.
I support clients across a wide range of areas, including financial reporting, statutory accounts, VAT compliance, payroll coordination, company secretarial matters, and audit support. I enjoy building long-term relationships with clients, providing practical advice and acting as a trusted point of contact as their businesses grow.
Which languages do you speak, and how do they help you support clients?
I’m lucky enough to speak several languages. I’m fluent in French and English, Spanish is my first language, and I also speak Italian to an intermediate level.
Being able to communicate with clients in their native language is something I genuinely enjoy. Speaking the same language helps build trust, makes communication more natural, and often makes complex discussions feel more straightforward and relaxed. It also allows me to better understand the cultural nuances that can influence the way business is conducted.
I’ve always been very close to French culture, which has been an important part of my life for many years. Combined with my experience supporting French-owned businesses in the UK, this helps me connect with clients and understand their expectations, challenges, and ways of working, enabling me to provide a more personalised service.
What is the purpose of the French Desk, and how does it support French businesses?
The French Desk was created to provide French businesses with a dedicated point of contact and connect them with the right expertise as they establish or grow their operations in the UK.
We already support many French-owned businesses and understand the challenges they can face when navigating a different regulatory, business, and cultural environment. Our role is to make that process easier by providing local support and coordinating access to the specialists they need, whether that relates to accounting, tax, payroll, audit support, or company secretarial matters.
Helping French businesses succeed
What I enjoy most is seeing our clients grow and succeed. It’s always rewarding when a client shares exciting news, whether that is expanding their operations, launching a new project, entering the UK market, or growing their team.
I also enjoy helping clients when they are facing a new challenge or exploring a new initiative and are unsure where to start. Being able to guide them through the process, connect them with the right expertise, and help find practical solutions is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.
Building long-term relationships with clients and seeing their businesses develop over time is particularly fulfilling, especially when we have supported them throughout different stages of their growth journey in the UK.
A key strength of the French Desk is its connection to the wider Ecovis International network. This allows us to work closely with colleagues in France and other jurisdictions, ensuring clients benefit from seamless cross-border support and a consistent approach across their international operations.
How can French businesses get in touch with the French Desk, and what can they expect from their first conversation with you?
They can get in touch with the French Desk directly through Ecovis Wingrave Yeats. They can contact me by email at Lourdes.Caceres@ecovis.co.uk or by phone on 020 7317 0975.
Our first conversation is usually informal, relaxed, and focused on understanding the business and its objectives. We take the time to discuss the company’s activities, plans for the UK market, expectations, and any specific challenges or requirements they may have.
Whether a business is considering expanding into the UK, has recently established a presence here, or is looking for ongoing support, our goal is to listen, understand their needs, and connect them with the right expertise. Clients can expect a friendly and open discussion, practical guidance, and a clear understanding of how we can support them as they grow in the UK.
Thank you, Lourdes, for sharing your background, expertise, and the important work of the French Desk!
If your business is looking to establish or grow its presence in the UK, get in touch with Lourdes – our Ecovis team are here to help every step of the way.
