7 ways to protect your business against a downturn

Abigail is a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW and a Chartered Tax Advisor with the CIOT. She joined GMP in June 2012, and was made a partner of the firm in April 2014. On behalf of the firm, she undertakes Practice Development and Practice Management.

Abigail’s technical role includes providing highly technical advice to a variety of clients on complex and specialist tax issues (to include IHT, CGT, Income Tax, Trusts and Property Taxes), as well as being able to offer business and accounting advice to farmers and OMB’s. She also assists a wide range of Trusts and Estates as well as various Charities and Not For Profit organisations.

She lives in Robertsbridge with her husband and two very boisterous boys and is an active member of the Robertsbridge Bonfire Society. She also volunteers her time as a trustee of her local Charitable nursery and other community groups in and around Tenterden, enjoys cooking and walking in the countryside.

Joe completed his training with other local practices then joined GMP in 2011 and was admitted as an ACCA member in 2012. Joe was promoted to Partner in 2015 and is based at our Rye office. He is an active member of the team and assists with running the firm’s IT committee, Practice Development committee and Management committee.

Joe enjoys working with a wide range of clients, from established businesses to assisting with the tax affairs of private clients. He has particular interest in business growth and supports this through the use of technology, such as cloud based bookkeeping packages, and assisting with the preparing and understanding of management accounts. Joe is a firm believer that access to relevant up to date information is crucial to business success.

Away from the office, Joe devotes most of his time to his young family. When not trying to keep up with his children, he enjoys all things sport, including football, golf and tennis – although increasingly as a spectator rather than a participator.

Danny joined the firm as a trainee accountant in 1987 and qualified in 1991. He became a Partner in 2000 and assists in the Practice Development Committee and Management Committee.

Danny has a wide range of knowledge and a varied client base, including incorporated and unincorporated owner managed businesses, individuals, not for profit organisations and trusts. Danny concentrates on giving bespoke proactive advice to his clients explaining in a clear straightforward language their options and assisting them in solving their issues.

He lives in Bexhill and away from the office is a keen sportsman and enjoys spending time with his family.

Karen has been with GMP Accountants for 20 years. She started as a secretary before becoming Practice Manager and was promoted to a Partner in January 2018. She undertakes the majority of Practice Administration along with assisting with the firms’ IT and is on the Practice Development Committee and Management Committee.

Karen enjoys spending time with her family and whenever possible relaxing at her beach hut.

Keith joined Gibbons Mannington from University to train with the firm and qualified in 2001. Keith deals with all aspects of general practice and has considerable knowledge and experience in tax and accounting issues relating to the service industry, building and property matters, farming, professional practices (dentists and architects) and creative artists who receive royalty income.

Keith specialises in assisting his clients to develop and grow their business so that they achieve their full potential. He also deals with corporate reorganisations, share buy backs, corporate acquisitions and getting companies ready for, and assisting in, the sale process.

Keith is a keen networker and is a member of the ICAEW farming faculty and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Outside of work Keith enjoys spending time with his young family, travelling, walking the family dogs and is also a keen golfer.

David completed his training with another local practice and was admitted as an ACCA member in 2013. He joined GMP in 2016, was promoted to Partner in 2019, and is based in our Rye office.

David deals with all aspects of general practice and advises a wide range of clients in terms of both size and business sectors. He has a particular interest in helping both new and established Limited Companies navigate the numerous accounting hurdles that they face and ensuring that clients continue to benefit from being incorporated.

David is an active networker and attends a number of local groups. Away from the office, David spends most of his time with his young family but also enjoys fishing and watching American football when he can find the time.

Richard trained as a Chartered Accountant locally in East Sussex, qualifying in 2010. Having then spent 5 years specialising in Company Tax at KPMG, he joined the firm in early 2017 in order to return to a general practice role, and became a Partner on 1 April 2018.

Richard has a varied client base, including both incorporated and unincorporated owner managed businesses, individuals and trusts. His specialist area is business tax, including mergers, acquisitions, restructuring and business sales, and he adopts a pragmatic “problem solving” approach, seeking a solution that meets his clients’ goals.

Away from the office Richard enjoys following a variety of sports, and spending time with his family.

Samantha specialises in regulated areas for companies and charities, working with directors and trustees to meet their statutory duties in preparing audited financial statements which comply with the current reporting standards. In addition she is able to complete independent examinations and other assurance reports.

Having worked in general practice for over 25 years Samantha has a wide range of knowledge and experience. She is equally comfortable in assisting small owner managed companies, the self-employed or those in partnership in a wide variety of sectors.

Samantha enjoys ballroom dancing and baking in her spare time.