What’s your role here at A4G?

As Managing Partner for 30 years (and now Founding Partner), I’m proud to have overseen three decades of consistent growth at A4G. A big part of that success has come from our commitment to helping owner-managed businesses tackle whatever challenges are holding them back from growing.

I also lead A4G Freedom, our programme designed to help business owners make their businesses less dependent on them (and easier to sell!). One of my proudest achievements has been transitioning A4G itself to be less dependent on me personally, something many business owners struggle with.

I’m also incredibly proud of the recruitment and training programme we’ve built over the years. It’s helped countless trainees grow from school-leavers into fully qualified accountants and trusted advisers (and even Managing Partners!). In fact, we even beat McDonald’s to win School Leaver Employer of the Year!

What are your specialisms?

Working with owner-managers to help make their business less dependent on them, running strategic planning days, and guiding them through succession and exit planning.

You’re an author too, tell us about your books

I’ve written two books for business owners:

  • Making Your Business Work Without You – A guide to building a business that can run and grow without everything relying on you. It’s about freeing up your time, creating smoother operations, and preparing your business for growth or sale. 

  • Accidental Millionaires – This book explores the mindset and habits shared by successful business owners with sporting legends. Many started as ordinary people and, step by step, built businesses that delivered extraordinary results, often without realising how they did it. 

What is the top tip you’d share with every business owner?

A business relying on people-based solutions will only get you so far. At some point, you must embrace systems.

Tell us a random fact about you

I would have loved to be the drummer in The Libertines!

Who inspires you?

I’m always looking for new inspiration, but Sir Bobby Robson’s decency, honesty, and continual desire to grow even into his 70s make him one of my heroes. Plus, I met him twice!