When CavanaghKelly, the Northern Ireland accountancy powerhouse joined CP in July 2025, it marked a huge milestone in our journey to build the UK & Ireland’s most progressive professional services group.
For the last 25 years the team has built an exceptional reputation as one of the region’s most respected accountancy and business advisory firms.
Powered by over 100 inspiring people and 7 Partners who share CP’s energy, ambition, and values.
From Audit, BS&O, Deals and Forensic Accounting to Law, Restructuring, Tax and Transaction Services, our Northern Ireland teams of talent are packed with some of the industry’s boldest and brightest minds.
We caught up with a handful of them below to find out what really makes them tick.
Catherine Martin, Business Development Partner
- What are you most excited for in this new chapter at CP?
“It’s exciting to see how our clients can benefit from what CP can offer: I love being able to signpost them to new specialist services to help make their business even stronger. Being part of a company with such ambition is so energising – the passion is contagious and I can’t wait to see what CP Ireland looks like in 2 years’ time.”
- Tell us something interesting about you
“In my spare time I love getting stuck into creative little projects; anything from building flat-pack furniture (yes, I actually enjoy it!) to random DIY around the house. Most weekends you’ll find me and my crew (my husband and our five kids) down in Donegal. We’re a water-loving bunch with a paddleboard, a surfboard, and a kayak but also love doing yoga on the pier. It’s a bit chaotic but a strong sea breeze keeps us refreshed so it’s always a good time.”
Michael Drumm, Deals Partner
- What’s the best part about your job?
“It’s being part of a team with our clients as we go on that transaction journey together. It can be exciting but intense: long days, deadlines, big decisions, plenty of ups & downs. But there’s real camaraderie and a sense of togetherness in being in the trenches side by side, solving problems, navigating the tough moments, and celebrating the wins. At the end, when you’ve genuinely made a real difference to a client, it’s really fulfilling.”
- What’s exciting about this next chapter for CK > CP
“Joining CP feels like stepping onto a bigger stage while keeping the energy and culture that defined CK. The chance to plug into CP’s national platform, sector expertise, and culture of doing things differently is exciting: it’ll means more opportunities for our staff and more opportunities for our clients.”
- Tell us a career/ life highlight
“Career – winning a trip to Las Vegas as the CK Employee of the Year! Apart from that, joining the Partner team in CK!
Life – we’ve got two young bambinos currently…it’s been mad busy but great!”
Leona Leonard, Tax Director
- What’s the best part about your job?
“The team – they are a great bunch to work with. I love the variety of work: no two days are the same. Tax law is always evolving, as are our clients’ businesses so you never know what project you are going to work on and what someone is going to ask next. And this new chapter means there’s so much opportunity for new work & challenges.”
- Tell us something interesting about you
“I love starting my weekends with a bit of energy at my local parkrun. I’m a big fan of walking and absolutely love to travel: one of my big dreams is to combine the two by walking the Camino de Santiago – the adventure, the challenge and the experience of exploring new places on foot really excites me!”
Jessica Mulgrew, BS&O Manager
- What are you most excited for in this new chapter at CP?
“It’s the chance to connect with more colleagues across the business and learn from them. The flexibility, trust, and opportunity to work from various locations, like my current role in London, is a huge bonus, and I’m also looking forward to getting involved with new processes and technology. Being part of a larger company opens the door to even more progression and growth, which is really motivating.”
- Tell us something interesting about you
“I play both the piano and the fiddle, a bit of a mix! I played the fiddle in the Fleadh, which is an All-Ireland music competition, so that was a cool moment. My go-to piano piece is River Flows in You by Yiruma. I once took a career break to travel around Australia and Bali – one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!”
And a few answers from me as Head of Northern Ireland
- What’s the best part about your job?
“Variety! No two days are the same. I really enjoy collaborating with clients and finding creative solutions to their challenges, which keeps me thinking and constantly learning.”
- What are you most excited for in this new chapter at CP?
“I’m excited about fully integrating and tapping into all the resources available at CP and who we drive out across the island of Ireland to build a strong, dynamic firm. It’s a huge challenge, but with the right mindset, energy, and team, I believe we can really make an impact and take our market approach to the next level.”
- Tell us something interesting about you
“When I’m not working at the farm or with CP I’m a full-time dad to four and grandad to two– a role I take great pride in. They also give me a great excuse to travel, with one in Dublin and another in New Zealand. One of my kids has just moved back home to the farm, and my daughter runs a lovely coffee shop – a weekend ritual is popping in for a pistachio croissant and a catch-up.”
YOUR PRIORITIES. OUR FOCUS
We’ve got plenty of surprises in store over the next few months as we shape our fresh approach in Northern Ireland, but what would you like to see from Cooper Parry in the region?
