Oxfordshire accountancy firm appoints joint managing partners

By Nicky Godding

31 March 2020

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James Cowper Kreston, one of the region’s leading independent firms of accountants and business advisors, has appointed Alex Peal and Sue Staunton to the position of Joint Managing Partners with effect from the 1st May 2020.

In a step away from the firms’ traditional Managing Partner model, Alex and Sue will replace Robert Holland who has decided against standing for re-election after being at the helm of the business for the past six years.

Alex joined the firm as a trainee in 1998 and was made a partner in 2008. He has led the audit service line for six years and has been a member of the firm’s Management Committee since 2010. “This is a really exciting time for our firm and as we continue to grow we have to ensure that the Managing Partner is at the forefront of the running of the firm” says Alex. “The role of the Managing Partner is not just operational but one that also needs the time and effort to actively seek opportunities to innovate and adapt. By sharing the responsibility we can ensure that between Sue and I we can devote the significant time required to seek out and maximise opportunities for our firm, develop and grow our staff and maintain the highest level of support that our clients require.”

Sue joined the firm as a partner in 2004 from Grant Thornton and in this time has led, and grown, James Cowper Kreston’s specialist offering to Technology businesses firmly establishing the firm’s credibility and expertise in this sector. Sue joined the Management Committee in 2014 and has been instrumental in developing the strategic direction of the business.

“We continue to live and work in a fast paced and ever changing world. We need to ensure that we are not just responsive to our clients’ needs but continue to be proactive as a business in embracing new opportunities, technologies and service offerings that will help our clients succeed,” says Sue. “Alex and I share a common vision and have different, but complementary, skills that when combined will ensure that we are able to take our firm, staff and clients to the next level.”

Robert Holland was appointed Managing Partner in 2014 and since this time has overseen an unparalleled growth phase for the firm. “Alex and Sue have been actively involved in the operational and strategic management of our firm for many years and I am confident that between them they will bring fresh ideas and drive to James Cowper Kreston” says Robert. “I look forward to continuing to play an active role as a full time partner in the business looking after a wide range of clients and focusing on delivering our specialist Forensic services.

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.