Meet The Team
- Partners
- Client Managers
- Accounts Department
- Tax Department
- Payroll Department
- IT Department
- Secretarial and Support Staff
Partners
Gary Sargeant FCA – Partner
Gary trained in the West End and City of London, qualifying as Chartered Accountant in 1982 and was admitted as a Fellow in 1992.
Gary founded the firm on the following major principles:
- We would undertake all of our work promptly.
- We would communicate well with clients.
- We would be proactive in our advice.
Gary's view is his part in building the talented team of people we now have and helping our clients prosper has been undoubtedly his greatest achievement.
Gary’s biggest ambition for the future is to help and create an environment where our clients and our staff can succeed.
Some may say that Gary has too many hobbies, his biggest passion, most people will know, is his interest in Formula 1, followed closely by travel, photography and scuba diving.
Contact Gary Sargeant on gary@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Tony Hughes FCA - Partner
Educated at St. Olaves, Tooley Street, London, then Orpington, Tony commenced ‘Articles’ with a small London firm of chartered accountants and qualified in 1982, becoming an FCA 10 years later. Tony joined Gary Sargeant + Company in 1998 and became a Partner in the practice in December 2000. He looks after our small business department and assists new and developing businesses. Personal interests include photography, collecting antiques and model railways and regular trips to the South of France.
Contact Tony Hughes on tony@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Joanne Brown FCCA - Partner
Jo joined the firm in 1991 as a trainee accountant and qualified in 2000. Jo runs a portfolio of larger Limited Companies dealing with the production of audit and accounts work, corporation tax returns and all other yearly compliance work. Other areas where Jo can assist are; liaising with the Revenue regarding tax enquiries/ investigations, advice re business sales and acquisitions and general bookkeeping and payroll advice. Jo became a partner in the practice in July 2006 and then subsequently went on to have her two children Harvey & Archie. Jo currently works 3 ½ days a week. Her time is very much split between work and the children so she has very little spare time, but if she does manage to grab some free time, she likes to read and of course, as all women do, shop!
Contact Joanne Brown on jo@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Elaine Beal ACA MAAT - Partner
Elaine qualified as an Accountant in 1992. She joined Gary Sargeant + Company on 22nd May 2000 as a portfolio manager and became an equity partner on 1st May 2010. She runs the largest portfolio in our accounts and audit department and is often deemed our "sage expert". She is also the Staff partner and is responsible for staff recruitment and training. In her spare time, Elaine does voluntary work for her local RSPCA centre and enjoys spending time with her family and pets.
Contact Elaine Beal on elaine@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Client Managers
Nicholas Saffell BA (HONS) FMAAT – Senior Manager
Nick joined us from another local firm of accountants in 1998. He is a Senior Manager of our Small Business Department with particular responsibility for Sole Traders and Partnerships. Qualifying with the AAT in 1992, he obtained Fellowship status in 2007. Having completed an Honours Degree in History in 2009, Nick remains interested in the subject and hopes to undertake a Masters Degree when time and money allow! Nick’s ‘spare time’ is usually spent ferrying his two children about and watching them play football for their local clubs.
Contact Nicholas Saffell on nick@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Joanne Spry FCCA – Client Manager
Jo qualified as an accountant in 1993 and joined Gary Sargeant + Company in January 2001, having worked in practice for 21 year’s! Jo is a client manager looking after various clients that include solicitors, charities and small limited companies. Jo is currently working 3 days a week, allowing her time to play tennis and have extra time for her various hobbies. Jo has 2 children and enjoys travelling with her family. She is also a massive Take That fan!
Contact Joanne Spry on jos@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Laura Lincoln FCA - Client Manager
Laura joined the company in December 2006 as a client manager dealing with accounts, audit and tax. Before that she worked for a firm of London accountants for 26 years but now enjoys working locally. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984 and is now an FCA. When not digging for victory on her allotment she can be found hoping for victory at the Valley (for Charlton Athletic). Her ambition is to visit a few more far flung places around the world.
Contact Laura Lincoln on laura@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Stuart Page ACCA – Client Manager
Stuart joined Gary Sargeant and Company in November 2000 at the age of 20, after a brief amount of time spent in New Zealand travelling and playing rugby and also brief career as a chef. He qualified with the ACCA in 2009 and has progressed though the company and now manages his own portfolio and assists Elaine, one of the partners, managing other clients. Stuart is looking forward to many more successful years working for the company and with our clients.
Contact Stuart Page on stuart@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Accounts Department
Allan Shanta – Accounts Senior
Allan joined the firm in July 1995 as an accounts and audit clerk and is currently assisting Nick Saffell in the Small Business Department. When not watching sports on television, his other hobbies are jigsaw puzzles and golf.
Contact Allan Shanta allan@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Kevin Bodman ACCA – Accounts & Audit Senior
Kevin joined the practice in September 2005 studying towards his ACCA qualification. Having recently completed his final exams, Kevin was accepted as a member of the Association in September 2010. Having originally joined the firm as a trainee, Kevin has had spells working with both the small business department and the audit department but has most recently taken up the role of audit senior in April 2010, dealing with all aspects of accounts and audit as well as specialising in solicitors accounts. Outside of the office, Kevin has just bought his first home in Swanley with his long term partner Nicola, where they await the birth of their first child due in early January 2011. As well as his new family life Kevin also has a passion for Arsenal Football Club. He plans to hopefully become a manager of the firm with the ambition of one day becoming a partner.
Contact Kevin Bodman kevin@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Hannah Brailsford ACCA – Accounts & Audit Senior
Hannah joined the firm on 4th November 2006 as a Semi Senior in the Audit and Accounts department, and was promoted to a Senior in October 2008. Hannah qualified with the ACCA in February 2010 with all first time passes, her highest mark being 81%. Having achieved high exam results, she is set to complete a first class honors degree with the ACCA in the near future. Her role within the firm includes working on audits, consolidations, annual accounts, monthly management accounts and bookkeeping. In her spare time Hannah likes to keep fit and socialise with friends. In the future Hannah wishes to grow and develop in her accountancy career and become more involved with the management of clients and staff.
Contact Hannah Brailsford on hannah@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Simon Smith - Accounts and Audit Senior
Simon joined the firm in September 2008 as an accounts senior. He is currently studying for his ACCA qualification and is about to sit his final exams. He deals with all aspects of accounts and audit work and has a good knowledge of Corporation Tax and the implications for companies. In addition to his main duties Simon has also been involved in preparing management accounts and Sage bookkeeping services to a number of clients. Once qualified, Simon is interested in the prospect of progressing into management. As well as being a keen Arsenal supporter Simon can often be found enjoying a round of golf in his spare time.
Contact Simon Smith on simon@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Leanne Marks - Accounts & Audit Junior
Leanne joined the firm in November 2007 from A-Levels and since then has been taking her exams to become a qualified accountant. Since joining the firm Leanne has been working in the accounts and audit department, small business department and recently started to help in the payroll department. In addition to her main duties, Leanne also takes care of the annual returns for the client's we act for. Leanne’s ambitions for the future are to qualify and to gain more experience in the accounts department and also within the payroll department. Outside of work Leanne enjoys socialising with friends and attending the gym.
Contact Leanne Marks on leannem@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Amie Reilly – Accounts & Audit Junior
Amie joined the firm in August 2009 straight from school and is currently on her final level of exams to be ACCA qualified. She currently works on both the audit and small business department. Amie’s future plans are to finish her exams and qualify and also gain more experience to further her career. Outside of work, Amie enjoys socialising with friends and going to the gym.
Contact Amie Reilly on amie@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Tax Department
Andy Littlejohn CTA - Tax Manager
Andy (also know as George) joined the firm in July 1997 as our tax manager. In the same year he qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser. He deals with all aspects of taxation including Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and Corporation tax, but he specialises in all aspects of personal taxation. In addition to his main duties Andy also acts as our new client manager, fielding all potential new client calls and contact. Andy is the proud, but tired father of 2 children and cannot wait for his son Archie to represent England at Rugby Union. He may have a bit of a wait as Archie is only 2 years old!
Contact Andy Littlejohn on andy@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Ian Gregory – Tax Associate
Ian started his career in tax working for the Inland Revenue as it then was. After working for several large firms of accountants he was working for a national firm of tax consultants when he first came across Gary Sargeant + Company of Swanley. Having enjoyed some successes advising the firm and resolving matters with the Inland Revenue, Gary asked him to become the firm’s Tax Associate. Ian specialises in advising on all forms of direct taxation for individuals, trusts and companies. Ian has two daughters, one who aspires to be a lawyer and the other to be an economist. When not reading tax books such as the Red books, Ian sometimes turns up at his local golf club and tries to play golf.
Contact Ian Gregory on ian@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Sarah Gibson BA (HONS) – Tax Senior
Sarah qualified from University with a BA Honours degree in Business and Finance and has been with Gary Sargeant + Company since April 2001, working with Andy (George!) in the Tax Department. Sarah specialises in Personal and Trust Tax and assists many of our private tax clients, trusts, solicitors and specialist partnership clients with their personal tax. She is charged with keeping our main accounting, taxation software and client database running smoothly and trying to keep it and everyone up to date; she is always on the look out for ways to reduce our administrational burdens. Sarah also administers our Enquiry Fee Protection Scheme. And all this part time! Sarah’s full time and most rewarding position is being Mum to her daughter Maddie who came into the world in January 2007. She has a life long love of horses, all things Disney, and would love to visit Forks, WA.
Contact Sarah Gibson on sarahg@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Payroll Department
Jane Croxton ACCA – Payroll Manager
Jane started at GS & Co in July 2009 as an administration assistant. After a couple of years she moved into the accounts department and started studying for her ACCA qualification where she went on to qualify in February 2008. Jane has since moved into the payroll department where she has taken the role of payroll manager. Outside of work Jane enjoys socialising with friends and walking her beagle, Neo. She will soon be leaving us to go on maternity leave as her first baby is due on the 14th December; hopefully he/she will not arrive on Christmas day!
Contact Jane Croxton on jane@gary-sargeant.co.uk
IT Department
Andrew Washington – IT Manager
Andrew is Manager of our IT Services Department. Having gained extensive UK wide experience in Network Management and consultancy prior to joining us in 2000 his brief is to ensure Gary Sargeant + Company have an up-to-date, fault tolerant IT system and provide a similar service to contracted clients of the company. Andrew married Tina in December 2002 and in his spare time competes locally with two football teams, enjoys playing and listening to music, watching movies and sunshine holidays.
Contact Andrew Washington on andrew@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Secretarial and Support Staff
Josie Cheshire - Personnel Manager
Josie joined the company in August 1995 as an Office Junior. During her 15 years with the company, Josie has undertaken many roles in the admin department, from Secretary to PA and in 2007 took over the role of Personnel Manager. Josie’s other duties include ensuring the professional staff are all up to date with their ongoing CPD requirements, organising our quarterly newsletters and helping to ensure that the company is complying with current money laundering regulations. Josie was married in 1998 and has two girls aged 8 and 5 and therefore now works on a part time basis 3 days per week. Although combining looking after two small children and working part-time doesn’t leave much time for hobbies, when she does get any spare time Josie enjoys playing the piano and going to the cinema. Ambitions for the future include having more time to do both of these things!
Contact Josie Cheshire on josie@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Carolina Howe - PA to Gary Sargeant
Carolina joined the company in April 2000 as full time maternity cover in the secretarial department. Intending to reduce to part time hours after 6 months, many years later she is enjoying very full time hours and her current job titles include Office Manager and Credit Control Officer but by far her most important role is PA to Gary. Carolina is married to Martin and they have three super sons, Chris (25), Tony (25) and Darren (22) being the last son living at home. Carolina's keeps chickens and enjoys gardening, walking and boating but mostly shares her spare time with Martin. Carolina is hoping to travel all the inland waterways of England in a narrow boat, when she can find the time.
Contact Carolina Howe on carolina@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Maureen Lynn – Senior Secretary
Maureen joined the firm in August 2005 as a part-time secretary, progressing to full time and is now Senior Secretary within the administration department. Maureen is in charge of all aspects of typing, ordering stationery and runs the administration side of the Business Breakfast Club held once a month at Frogpool Manor Tea Rooms in Chislehurst. This is a very successful breakfast meeting which hosts a variety of interesting and influential speakers. Maureen’s hobbies include spending as much quality time with her 3 children as possible and swimming, cinema, holidays. Her ambition for the future is knowing that her children are happy, contented and achieving their goals in life.
Contact Maureen Lynn on maureen@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Sarah Pearson ACA – Practice Accounts Manager
Sarah joined the firm on a part time basis in 1996. She qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1989. Sarah’s main responsibility at the current time is as the practice accountant. She is also responsible for the Company Secretarial department and provides managements accounts for clients. She is married with two teenage daughters and a mad terrier. The past ten years have been spent on a very hands on self build project; her aim at the moment is to live in a house that is completely finished. The end is in sight, so Sarah and her husband have now turned their attention to the garden, the aim being to transform what was a field into a lovely garden.
Contact Sarah Pearson on sarah@gary-sargeant.co.uk
Christine Sargeant – Time & Fees Manager
Christine has worked for Gary Sargeant & Company for 22 years, partly because she is married to Gary!! Christine is responsible for timesheets, fees and reports. She also helps the secretarial department by answering the telephone when needed. Christine has been married to Gary for 32 years; they have 1 daughter Louise who is 25. Christine’s hobbies are travel, reading, cooking and her 2 cats Albert & Einstein.
Contact Christine Sargeant on christine@gary-sargeant.co.uk
