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Meet the Team

Robert Brown - Managing Director

Qualifications: Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
BSc (Hons) Geography - University of Manchester

Experience & specialisms: I have a deep rooted enthusiasm, developed over 29 years in practice, for owner-managed businesses. This was first borne out of a background in Audit and Assurance in a Top 15 National Firm, now extending into tax planning, and trying to be a supportive and proactive 'business-friend' to Landers' clients. I am always curious, and always interested in how they do what they do, and how they can become more successful as clients of our firm. The clients I look after range from from start-ups, through management successions, to £30 million turnover household names. Recent projects I have hopefully been a help with include;

• The sale of specialist engineering, manufacturing and facilities management businesses, with average deal sizes of £2.5 million
• Due diligence to support the acquisition of an electronics business
• Restructuring of a manufacturing group
• Successful negotiation of £1.5million goodwill value with HMRC specialist valuation division
• De-merger of family owned manufacturing and wholesale businesses

Outside work: Keen (if not good) guitar player, 5-a-side footballer (after a fashion), Newcastle United (living in hope rather than expectation) member. Good Wine (an 'amateur' as the French mean it), Native Americans, landscape, and (when I have my anorak on) railways (model and the real thing). I also chair a Finance Committee as a Governor of a local Middle School.

Chris Floyd - Director - Head of Tax

Qualifications: BSc (Hons)
Chartered Tax Advisor
Member Of The Association of Taxation Technicians

Experience & specialisms: After spending the first 8 years of his career learning the internal workings of the Inland Revenue (now HM Revenue & Customs) Chris jumped ships to gain experience in the real world. His experiences on the dark side ranged from processing tax returns to collecting tax and assisting in the prosecution of tax fraud. Since leaving HMRC Chris’s experiences have widened further to include helping people to minimise their tax liabilities through careful planning and defending clients against HMRC enquiries.

Outside work: When not spending time with his family Chris is an avid motorsport fan. He tries to combine this with his other long term passion, photography, whenever the opportunity arises.

Nicola Bethell - Client and Payroll Manager

Qualifications: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) finalist, HND Business and Finance, SAGE financial forecasting

Experience & specialisms: Nicola has been in practice since 1998, gaining experience of all types of businesses from sole traders to multi million pound companies. She has been involved in many company sales achieving the best possible outcome for the client, helping companies from start up, ongoing financial and strategic planning and advice, along with preparation of accounts, auditing and preparation of monthly management accounts and VAT returns. She also runs monthly payrolls for clients offering payroll compliance advice.

Outside work: Travelling, scuba diving, gardening and amateur photography are her main interests.

Ellen Williams - Office Manager

Qualifications: RSA/IBT III

Experience & specialisms: Ellen joined Landers in January 2000. During this time her role within the company has evolved and is now very diverse. She really enjoys her regular contact with clients and is always happy to help. Through her continuous development at Landers she now also looks after the company secretarial function for the company as well as ensuring the day to day smooth running of the office.

Outside work: Ellen enjoys spending time with her family and when she gets the time, golf, tennis and Pilates.

Sharon Gobey - Admin Assistant

Qualifications: Pitmans - Intermediate, Elementary & Advanced

Experience & specialisms: Sharon joined Landers in October 1997 as a receptionist/secretary.

Over the years she has developed her skills and gained an invaluable knowledge of what keeps things ticking at Landers.

Working part time now, in a mainly administrative capacity, Sharon works behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of day to day business within the office. She is a first point of contact, providing a friendly and efficient service, either on the other end of the telephone or when meeting and greeting visitors.

During her time with us she has married and has 3 children.

Outside work: Sharon enjoys spending time with her family and shopping!

John Moore - Client Manager

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Business Administration specialising in finance
Fellow of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA)

Experience & specialisms: John joined Landers in June 2008, having previously gained 5 years’ experience working for a small chartered accounting firm. He is responsible for administrating a range of clients from sole traders to auditable limited companies. During this time he has developed a number of skills including bookkeeping, statutory reporting, management accounting, taxation and auditing.

Outside work: Sport - football/badminton/tennis/weights/running.
Film, music and computing enthusiast.
Grimsby Town FC.
DIY aficionado.

Will Hakon - Client Manager

Qualifications: Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Experience & specialisms: Will joined Landers in March 2013, having previously gained 3 years experience working in a small chartered accounting practice, dealing with a mixture of clients from sole traders through to audits.

Outside work: Anything car or motorsport related and frequently golf!

Claire Rumble - Client Manager

Qualifications: Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA)

Experience & specialisms: Claire worked for her first practice in Hertford for 7 years gaining lots of experience with audit clients. She then worked for Landers for 3 years as a client manager, but left in 2003 to help her father run his own practice in Watford. When he retired in 2014 she returned to the Lander’s team. She now manages a mixed portfolio of sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. She carries out a variety of work including management accounts, VAT Returns, general compliance work and has a good working knowledge of Sage Line 50.

Outside work: Claire is married with three young children. When she has some free time she enjoys baking, arts and crafts and cycling.

Tarnia Elliot - Tax Manager

Experience & specialisms: Tarnia joined Landers in 2013 with over 10 years experience in the personal tax field. Having previously worked in Central London, Tarnia managed a diverse portfolio of clients where her responsibilities included completing tax returns, P11Ds, liaising with HMRC and all matters relating to client affairs. Her vast hands-on experience coupled with her organised, efficient and personable approach makes her a hugely qualified Tax Manager.

Outside work: Tarnia is kept busy looking after her young family and enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys keeping herself fit and running. She has completed several 10K races and is currently training for a half marathon.

Karl Stock - Assistant Client Manager

Qualifications: Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT)

Experience & specialisms: Karl joined Landers in February 2021, having started working in the accountancy industry in 2015. Karl worked for five years in Rickmansworth in a medium sized chartered accountancy firm where he trained on a mixture of clients from sole traders through to limited companies and audits.

Outside work: Karl is a sports enthusiast particularly Rugby, Football, Golf and Mixed Martial Arts. He plays 6 - A - Side in the week and Golf most weekends followed by watching his beloved Arsenal FC. Other than sports Karl sees himself as an amateur chef and baker along with being a self-proclaimed music and film/TV critic.

Sarah Flanagan - Assistant Client Manager

Qualifications: Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT)

Experience & specialisms: Sarah has worked in practice for 14 years gaining lots of experience and knowledge. She has achieved a level 3 AAT and will be completing her level 4 shortly, progressing to ACCA. She carries out a variety of work including bookkeeping, management accounts, VAT Returns, year end accounts and has a good working knowledge of IRIS, Sage, Xero and QuickBooks.

Outside work: Sarah is married with a young child. When she has some free time she enjoys arts and crafts, historic car trailing, outdoor fitness classes and being with her family.

Nicole Butler - Payroll and Assistant Client Manager

Qualifications: Level 3 MICB Certified Bookkeeper, NEBOSH General Certificate

Experience: Nicole has specialised in bookkeeping, management accounts, VAT Returns and payroll for 10 years. Nicole is keen to expand her knowledge in the various areas of accountancy and is currently completing Level 4 ICB Advanced Bookkeeping and Accounting Courses including financial statements for micro and small businesses, Business Insight, Corporation Tax and Self-Assessment Tax.

Outside work: Nicole is married and in her free time enjoys long walks with the dog and spending time with family.