What do you do?
As CP’s Sustainability Advisor, I help calculate the carbon emissions of the company and find ways to reduce to them in order to reach our Net Zero by 2030 target. As part of this, I train and engage employees with all things sustainability. Getting everyone involved in the journey is key.
I also ensure that CP is on top of the many ESG regulations and benchmarks so we can lead by example. I’ll then be consulting to help some of clients join us on this journey.
Why do you do it?
I do it because I want to make a difference to the world we live in. Fighting climate change not only helps the environment but also people, as we will all experience the changes in some way. There is so only so much I can do as an individual, so working for CP means I can scale up the impact.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
My main focus has been internally within CP; creating/delivering sustainability training, running the internal communication, writing environmentally friendly policies and creating reports. I’ll then begin consulting to our clients soon so we can help others to follow in our footsteps.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
To take a couple of months to travel. I want to experience different cultures to my own and see as much of the natural beauty that the world has to offer. I’ve always loved the outdoors and I would love to see some of the natural wonders with my own eyes.
What do you do?
As part of the CP Innovation team, I work alongside innovative companies and help them to gain access to the generous tax breaks available through R&D tax incentives. Essentially, I talk to businesses about their projects which are creating advances within science and technology and help them to translate this into (often significant) tax savings. I also help companies that are commercialising their IP within the UK on their Patent Box claims.
Why do you do it?
Having completed previous studies within the field of Science and Engineering (I have a degree in Bioengineering), I enjoy speaking to businesses about their new and exciting technological developments.
People think tax is ‘dull’… but my job is one of the ‘good’ sides of tax – it’s all about telling companies how much cash they have saved, rather than how much they need to hand over! It is super satisfying to hear all about how my clients have reinvested the cash saved through their claims into further projects, new staff, or equipment. The opportunity for growth through these tax incentives is incredible.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
There’s not enough space here to fit it all into words! I have worked with clients in all kinds of industries – it often surprises people that relief is not just restricted to the more ‘obvious’ manufacturing and engineering sectors!
To name a few, I have assisted clients in sectors such as Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Software, Brewing & Distilling, Clothing and even Air Conditioning.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
I’ve always wanted to become fluent in a second language… perhaps French as I have been on some gorgeous holidays there.
What do you do?
Having a software background, the last place I thought I’d end up working at was an accountancy firm! For the last decade I’ve been helping a variety of clients, but more specifically software houses, claim incentives such as R&D tax and grants. I’m here to provide insight into what potential projects can be put forward and to understand how to carve out qualifying R&D elements to include in an R&D tax claim.
Why do you do it?
As most people would say, I fell into this job. However, I’ve always had a passion to keep up to date with the latest technology! I love working at Cooper Parry and I get a real feeling of fulfilment watching companies grow their innovation teams through additional funding which I’ve helped them obtain.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
I enjoy working with large software companies who have R&D claims across the globe, ensuring they’re getting the most out of their global innovation offering.
I’ve also worked with a number of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence companies which have been really interesting.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
I love getting away from the noise, heading up the mountain and experiencing the fresh air and the amazing views with my snowboards. I want to take that to the next level and jump in a helicopter to encounter some serious off-piste!
What do you do?
I am the Student Support Manager at Cooper Parry. I look after the students working hard studying for their various qualifications. I work closely with them right from the get-go to becoming fully qualified and everything in between! I am the main point of contact for anything study related.
Why do you do it?
I enjoy helping the students become the best they can be by celebrating their achievements and supporting them through the tougher times. My aim is to make their journey as smooth as possible so they can concentrate on being brilliant.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
I work with Kaplan, our main training provider, to ensure the student experience is as smooth and stress free as possible. In a fast-paced environment, I strive to continually improve ways of working for the benefit of those involved.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
I have always wanted to go sky diving; I think it would be extremely scary but exhilarating! If I could combine that with travelling around the world, that would be immense.
What do you do?
My job is to find the right talent to come and join CP across THG, Tax and Innovation and Wealth. Giving them the best candidate experience possible.
Why do you do it?
In reality, most recruiters do just ‘fall into’ recruitment. When I was younger and thinking about what I wanted to do when I was older, I don’t think recruitment was up there! But I love it because there is nothing more satisfying than being a part of the candidate’s journey in securing their dream job. Internal recruitment is especially rewarding as you then get to work with them and see them progress throughout their time at the company.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
I’ve been working with our THG team. They’re are going through a lot of growth so I’m playing a part in building that exciting team for the future.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
Top of my bucket list is to go to New York at Christmas. Elf and Home Alone 2 are up there with my all time favourite Christmas films. I hope it’ll come true at the end of this year!
What do you do?
I am a Transaction Services Partner. I assess the financial aspects of businesses to provide insightful, commercial advice to potential acquirers, investors, lenders and sellers in advance of a transaction. Much of this work is referred to as Financial Due Diligence. I’m part of the CP Deals team, frequently working with businesses seeking Private Equity investment.
Why do you do it?
I enjoy the variety of businesses, transactions and people I interact with – each project is different, with its own unique intricacies and challenges! Financial due diligence is a hugely important aspect of a transaction and I feel privileged to be entrusted to lead this process for clients.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
I have been carrying out financial due diligence since 2005, so I have worked on a wide variety of projects over that time, across most key sectors.
Recent projects have included assisting a Private Equity backed group with its buy-and-build strategy, advising a German Corporate on its investments in the UK and providing financial due diligence to support various MBOs.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
My teenage daughter and son are both keen runners and they would love to run a marathon when they are old enough. Although I have run a marathon, it was a number of years ago (…!). It would be great to run one with them, especially one of the big city marathons such as London, Paris or New York.
What do you do?
I am Recruitment Business Partner and currently look after the Audit, Outsourcing and Deals teams within Cooper Parry. I support them in recruiting the best people to join their teams.
Why do you do it?
I love helping candidates and finding the right role for them. The feeling you get when you have placed someone is such a high. Every day is different and goes past fast but this is what I love about recruitment. It keeps you on your toes.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
I’ve been involved in promoting Cooper Parry as an employer. Helping to get our name and values out there to reach more people and potential candidates who might come to work with us.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
I’d love to travel to America. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go to since I was a child. Basically just to go on more holidays to places I’ve not been to yet.
What do you do?
I look after all things ‘Tech’ at Cooper Parry. I make sure that we have the right systems, infrastructure and support in place to enable our teams to do their best work, anywhere, any time – with the right insights available at their fingertips.
Why do you do it?
Because tech is my language, literally. From primary school; where I was regularly called out of class to fix the shared BBC Acorn computer (identifying at an early age that ‘switching it off and on again’ would resolve most issues); to programming on-the-fly as an 18-year-old software developer working at Standard Life on a gap year deciding that Uni would hold me back. I learnt just what a few 1’s & 0’s could lead to if applied with creativity & expertise and have never looked back.
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
Having chosen the shop floor rather than the University campus, my early career involved multiple installations of complex systems at client sites including Goldman Sachs, EY, Unilever, the IoD, the House of Lords & numerous others. Then, following a brief stint with the UKs first internet bank, Egg, I joined PE backed Gala Group to support their integration of Coral Bookmakers and Eurobet, creating (at the time) the largest privately held company in the UK.
I later joined Capita, where I would discover my ultimate career passion, M&A. The deals came thick & fast, approx one per month, and gave me the platform to develop and showcase what would become my super-powers; combining commercial & legal acumen with a deep technical understanding and strategic vision. I loved the pace, unpredictability & challenge of bringing teams, cultures & systems together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Dozens of integrations and carve-outs later, I still get a huge buzz from supporting deals and everything that goes with it – whether that is being deposed by lawyers acting for the US Federal Trade Commission as part of Steris’s acquisition of Synergy Health, or helping to navigate a distressed manufacturing business through its covid lockdown acquisition. It’s been a wild ride so far and long may it continue
What’s on top of your bucket list?
To doppelgänger Dave Grohl on the electric guitar; to deliver my three kids fully tooled up for adult life; to be the best veteran snowboarder (preferring ‘veteran’ to ‘old’) and to buy my wife an Ibiza villa situated somewhere prime between San An and Ibiza Old Town.
What do you do?
Hi, I’m Martin. A Director at Cooper Parry with a focus on retail and property.
I typically work with decision makers – directors and business owners – and their advisors, helping them with complex projects or solving their issues so they can achieve what they want to achieve.
Why do you do it?
It’s been quite a journey since I joined CP in May 2000! Back then it was a typically traditional, mahogany filled, stuffy accountancy business, trying to conform to stereotype.
Now, as a multi-award-winning business that’s growing fast and with a unique culture, we’re a world away from that!
It’s a great place to be, to learn, to grow, to develop and have fun. You should come and have a look some time.
I’m also a big advocate for giving back to the communities that surround us. So, when I’m not helping my clients with their issues or my colleagues with their development, I’m probably walking the Great Wall of China for causes that matter to me or helping out at my local cricket club. Or, I might be baking for another CP bake sale to support our charity fundraising!
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
I’ve over 15 years’ experience, working with big retail brands on finance raising, group restructuring, business processes, logistics, stock and property. It’s often been challenging, but there’s always a great buzz from delivering on the project.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
The top things on my bucket list indulge my passions – travel and sport. I am ticking off new places to visit around the World and to play at some of the great UK golf courses.
What do you do?
I’m a Service Charge Assistant Manager, currently working for our biggest commercial service charge agent!
Why do you do it?
Anybody that says they didn’t fall into Service Charge Accounting is probably lying!
I fell into it in my first accountancy practice job, starting with a few small sets of residential service charge accounts which soon became hundreds! I loved the fact that it was such a niche area of accounting and didn’t know of anybody working within it.
I’ve also worked for a large property company, so have experience of both sides but am now back in practice with Cooper Parry. There is an infectious ambition here and a big commitment to personal development, the big pink bull in reception, table tennis/pool table and a sports bar are just a bonus!
What kind of projects have you been involved in?
I’m currently working as an in-house Service Charge Manager for our client, which has allowed me to build relationships with management and various teams. In this role I oversee their main elements of Service Charge (Accounts, Budgets and Variance Reviews) as well as bespoke reporting to management and providing vital input on internal service charge projects.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
This would have been a lot different 5 years ago but the main thing on the list in the future is to take my children to Disneyworld. It was amazing in 1998 so I can only imagine what it’s like now!
After I’ve done that, I can update this to something extreme like the world’s highest bungee jump over a tank of piranha!