Senior Management

Key role at Kirk Newsholme:
Graham is passionate about the firm’s success and sets – and oversees the implementation of - the firm’s strategy. His main focus is client service and ensuring client satisfaction. Working with a core team, he regularly reviews key areas of the firm’s business such as operating and financial performance, marketing, technology development and risk management policies.

Specialist areas of expertise:
Graham has vast experience across several areas including construction, manufacturing and service sectors, where he has helped business owners to formulate growth strategies and assisted them in achieving personal and business goals.

What’s the most satisfying part of your role?
Knowing that we have added value in a client relationship - and the client appreciation of the work we do.

What was your first job?
Working on a construction site on a year’s placement whilst at University. I thoroughly enjoyed being outside and seeing the site develop through to its completion – despite my best efforts with a theodolite to prevent this!

My dream day away from the office would be...
an afternoon at Wembley with my sons, to see Leeds United lift the FA cup followed by a celebrationary dinner with all of my family and friends.

Key role at Kirk Newsholme:
Backed by over 20 years’ experience, Mark provides accounting, audit and business advisory services to clients predominantly in the owner managed sector, helping them to plan successfully for growth and development.

Specialist areas of expertise:
Dealing with a wide spectrum of clients across the manufacturing, engineering, construction and service sectors, Mark delivers tailored audit and assurance services to clients and assists them with the development of robust and meaningful systems that enable them to drive profits, stimulate sales and cashflow.

What's the most satisfying part of your role?
Drawing on the expertise across our firm to deliver holistic, value for money solutions to the business challenges facing our clients.

What was your first job?
As a 14-year-old schoolboy I sold turkeys on Leeds Kirkgate Market. I discovered the importance of customer service – and warm clothing!

My ideal day away from the office would be...
spent on the bank of any of the Yorkshire rivers on the glorious 16th June – the first day of the coarse fishsing season.

Key role at Kirk Newsholme:
Justin leads a team of tax specialists, overseeing a wide range of tax affairs for clients, ranging from family businesses through to large organisations. Justin makes it his business to understand what clients want to achieve in business and outside so that he can deliver appropriate tax planning solutions.

Specialist areas of expertise:
Hugely experienced in the tax field, Justin deals with all aspects of tax planning including remuneration strategies and business reorganisation, whilst also having the skills and know-how to conduct business disposals and purchases for clients. Looking after tax through the business cycle, from start up to retirement, Justin understands that needs change and that planning must be flexible.

What’s the most satisfying part of your role?
Having understood what a client wants to achieve commercially – and structuring their affairs to provide a tax benefit – the most enjoyable part is helping a client put the planning into practice and seeing it through to the conclusion.

What was your first job?
Working in the local pub; first behind the bar then providing an evening and lunchtime food menu. I then went on to train as a chef (no jokes about cooking the books please!).

My ideal day away from the office would be...
a round of golf with friends, then out in the afternoon to a water park with my family (in a hot country), finished off with a lovely meal with family and friends in the evening… heaven.

Key role at Kirk Newsholme:
Jill’s broad range of responsibilities include directing and developing the firm’s relationships for the benefits of its diverse range of clients which are operating across many different sectors. In particular, Jill has expertise of working with – and identifying the needs of - professional firms including architects and legal practices.

Specialist areas of expertise:
Jill’s role at the firm takes full advantage of her excellent communication and organisational skills, as she uses these skills for the benefit of all the firm’s clients.

What’s the most satisfying part of your role?
Our firm places great emphasis on investing in our junior members of staff; we hope that they will stay with us for the long term and be our future stars. So, we put a good deal of energy and resource into training whilst giving our team the opportunities to learn, and there’s nothing more rewarding than when they make things happen for our clients and get that sense of achievement.

What was your first job?
During my University gap year I worked as a barmaid in a real spit and sawdust pub, where the boss used to give me the unenviable task of literally pulling customers through the door. It was a real learning curve and I believe I developed some very useful customer service skills!

My ideal day away from the office would be...
spending the day on a cold, wild and windy beach with the family (although the Swiss Alps in Summer comes a close second) followed by a gorgeous dinner – to include a chocolate pudding of some sort and an evening at the theatre watching my favourite musical Chicago.

Key role at Kirk Newsholme:
Neill provides business advisory services to a range of owner managed and family businesses. He also helps to develop the firm’s young, enthusiastic and talented team of people. By working closely with clients, Neill helps them to formulate and achieve their business and financial strategies, drawing on his 25 years’ experience gained in both local independent practices and major international accountancy firms, where he dealt with the full spectrum of businesses from sole traders to PLC’s.

Specialist areas of expertise:
Neill provides audit, accounting and advisory services to owner managed and family business across all sectors but has particularly strong expertise and interest in manufacturing and engineering. Property related businesses are another area where Neill has considerable experience.

What’s the most satisfying part of your role?
There are two really. Firstly, seeing clients act upon the advice given and gaining a benefit as a result and, secondly, passing on the benefit of my experience to my younger team members, developing the new generation of practising accountants.

What was your first job?
Discounting the paper round, I spent my school holidays working as a gardener for the local council. I wasn’t very good at it but at least I ended up with a much better sun tan than on any overseas holiday, as it hardly rained during those six weeks.

My ideal day away from the office would be...
an early morning round of golf with friends at my local club, followed by watching England thrash the Aussies at the Headingley test match. I’d then return home to spend some time with my wife and three daughters and hopefully not be nagged too much before celebrating with a good bottle of red later in the evening!

Key role at Kirk Newsholme:
A highly qualified Chartered Financial Planner, Peter works very closely with us to provide advice aimed at maximising clients’ investments and – where possible – reducing tax liabilities whilst considering benefits to both the business and the individual.

Specialist areas of expertise:
Whilst Peter is highly capable of advising across all areas of independent financial advice, he is particularly skilled in the areas of retirement and tax planning.

What’s the most satisfying part of your role?
It’s the point where I almost become an “invisible” professional partner to a client. It is incredibly satisfying and rewarding to feel that a client has put their trust in you and your advice – and of course, the ultimate goal is achieving their objectives.

What was your first job?
As a boy I worked on an ice cream van. For a sixteen year old it really was a great job - not only did I get paid but I got to eat as much ice cream as I liked!

My ideal day away from the office would be...
A round of golf with Tiger Woods, finished off with dinner at Sous Le Nez.