Who we are
All our partners and the majority of our managers have gained their expertise through working with “Big 4” firms. The open plan layout of the unw office allows for greater communication and exchange of ideas so that each department not only works as a team, but is able to freely interact with other members of the firm.
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Neville Bearpark Corporate Finance Partner
Neville joined unw after 18 years at PwC, initially as an auditor, however as the excitement of this proved too much he transferred to the more subdued world of corporate finance. For the last ten years Neville has led unw’s Corporate Finance team, specialising in providing a range of services to predominantly North East based entrepreneurial business and multinationals.
Neville is also a recognised expert on Government grants having been successfully advising grant applicants for over twenty years. Whilst at unw Neville and his team have handled over 100 applications and advised local, national and international companies.
In his spare time Neville can usually be found applying his DIY skills to restoring houses, classic cars and being the office handyman. Neville has recently discovered sailing and added a yacht to the Bearpark’s fleet of ageing vehicles and boats.
(Neville's PA is Louise Graham: 0191 243 6090 / louisegraham@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6011
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Julie Gilhespie Corporate Finance Partner
Julie joined the firm on 1 August 2011 as a corporate finance partner. She returns to her native north east after spending the last 10 years in a national role as a director in a Big 4 firm.
She has 20 years’ experience of corporate finance transactions covering all aspects for corporate finance work, ranging from small owner managed businesses to large plcs and the public and third sectors.
For the last 13 years she is has specialised in advising on public sector transactions. She is a leading expert on public sector corporate finance, having worked extensively with the health, Local Government and education sectors.
Julie has been at the forefront of the deals to deliver some of the most significant infrastructure initiatives in recent years including the replacement of many of the north east local hospitals, schools and waste and energy facilities.
A specialist in project as well as corporate finance, Julie brings real expertise to our corporate finance offering to the public and third sectors.
(Julie's PA is Louise Graham: 0191 243 6090 / louisegraham@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6068
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Mark Hetherington VAT Partner
Mark was drawn to unw because of the firm’s clear strategy of the client coming first in addition to the ambitious goal to be recognised as the best service provider in the area. Previously he worked for HM Revenue & Customs in various specialist VAT roles for 14 years, followed by a very successful career spanning 10 years with a “Big 4” firm.
Mark is extremely well regarded in the business community in the North East and Cumbria due to his ability to slice through the increasingly complex VAT minefield and by providing common sense advice and solutions for clients in terms which are easily understood. Testament of this is the rapport which Mark has with a wide range of clients and their loyal following.
Living in a small village in the Eden Valley (North Cumbria), Mark tries to spend his time enjoying the scenery and wildlife of the countryside although this has been hampered somewhat in recent years following the arrival of his three youngsters. Most weekends are now spent ferrying his children to birthday parties and trying to catch glimpses of the football results.
(Mark's PA is Elaine Gadah: 0191 243 6082 / elainegadah@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6073
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Paul Kaiser Corporate Finance Partner
Paul joined unw in July 2010 from Deloitte and heads up unw’s corporate finance advisory team.
He was with Deloitte for 21 years where he was an Associate Partner within the Corporate Finance business in both the North East and latterly the capital. Prior to moving to London, Paul established and led the Deloitte advisory team in the North East for many years.
Paul has over 25 years’ experience in corporate finance transactions, including time spent in Industry, and has specialised in advising on mergers and acquisitions, disposals and private equity sponsored transactions. He has a specific sector specialism, the Healthcare sector, and has advised on a number of health sector transactions both locally and nationally. Paul is the trusted advisor to owners of privately owned businesses, boards of directors and private equity investors.
Paul brings experience to a transaction, has a great track record and a network that is established within the North East and critically, a great standing within the financial community in the City of London.
(Paul’s PA is Louise Graham: 0191 243 6090 / louisegraham@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6013
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Steve Lant Tax Partner
Before joining unw, Steve was a director of a “Big 4” firm where he led the private client, entrepreneurial companies and M & A tax services for the North East having spent 9 years in London. Steve trained in audit and then decided to specialise in providing both corporate and personal tax advice, which he has continued to do for over 16 years. As a result of his wide-ranging experience, Steve often takes on a “trusted adviser” role for clients, acting as a sounding board on strategy, succession planning and other business issues.
(Steve's PA is Elaine Gadah: 0191 243 6082 / elainegadah@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6069
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Charles Linaker Tax Partner
Charles has specialised in tax for over 25 years; the first 9 of which were spent as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Taxes in Oxford and London and the next 4 as a senior tax manager with a “Big 4” firm in Newcastle.
Charles advises a range of corporate, personal and charity clients. His experience is often called upon to help settle Revenue investigations and technical enquiries.
Charles is a frustrated thespian and remains bemused that his stage performances in The Alternative Business Awards at the Tyne Theatre have not led to a new career outside the world of tax. He suspects that his partners at unw are equally disappointed.
(Charles's PA is Elaine Gadah: 0191 243 6082 / elainegadah@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6004
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Michael Morris Audit & Assurance Partner
In October 2009, Michael joined unw from Deloitte where he led the entrepreneurial and owner managed business audit team in the North East for four years.
Having been at Deloitte for 13 years, Michael decided that the opportunity at unw was very exciting, working with owners and decision makers, helping them reach their goals throughout the business cycle. Michael has had experience of working in all business sectors including hoteliers, haulage, law firms, residential care, property, manufacturing as well as many new business start ups. Michael is very active within athletics competing nationally for many years in middle distance events and having run the metric equivalent of a four minute mile.
More recently he finished 47th in the Chicago Marathon, completed his first Ironman Challenge in July 2009 in just under ten hours and in May 2010 completed the Austrian half Ironman in under four hours thirty. Michael also enjoys watching Newcastle United although he finds this more stressful and tiring than his other sporting pastimes.
(Michael's PA is Michelle Dunlop: 0191 243 6087 / michelledunlop@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6001
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Lee Muter Employment Taxes Partner
Lee joined the unw team in June 2010 following a successful period leading the employment taxes practice of a "Big 4" firm in Scotland and the Newcastle region. Following 15 years advising local employers across all sectors on employment tax issues, Lee was attracted to the ambitious and progressive attitude of unw and their focus on client service.
Lee is well known throughout the North East for providing proactive and practical advice in the areas of salary sacrifice, employment status, termination payments, construction industry scheme and benefits in kind.
Lee is a keen sportsman having participated in successful football, cricket and athletics teams in his younger days. Now officially "past it" Lee still plays the occasional game of football and has recently taken up cycling and golf. He has already completed the "Coast to Coast" and "Coast and Castles" bike rides although his golf handicap remains stubbornly at 28 with no sign of improvement.
(Lee’s PA is Elaine Gadah: 0191 243 6082 / elainegadah@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6089
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Simon Richards Tax Partner
Simon has many years of experience advising family businesses and their owners on tax mitigation. He also advises High Net Worth individuals on tax issues associated with the creation, retainment and passing on of their wealth. Although tax minimisation is the goal, this is always considered in context -whether the commercial requirements of the business or the family situation. Simon also has considerable expertise in the use of trusts to mitigate taxes whilst retaining control of family assets in a suitable structure.
Simons recent outside interest has centred on consistently coming last on the unw Squash Ladder. His persistent excuse that 'I've had a bit of a cold recently' has failed to impress his victorious colleagues, and Simon is now thinking of setting up the unw Flower Arranging ladder, where he hopes for greater success!
(Simon's PA is Elaine Gadah: 0191 243 6082 / elainegadah@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6002
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Alan Suggett Business Services Partner
Alan joined unw on 1 April 2009 from Baker Tilly Newcastle where he was the partner in charge of the Accounting Services department. Before that he co-led a management buyout of most of the former Binder Hamlyn office from Andersens to form the independent firm Forrestals.
A man of many professional talents (or so he tells us), he is an experienced strategic planning facilitator (and approved Business Link consultant), a nationally recognised dental specialist (including being a member of the NASDAL technical committee), in addition to leading the unw Accounting Services team. He also was a trainee actuary, has been a student at four different universities, and recently progressed to studying Italian at A level.
Alan is married with three sons, including a chartered accountant and a dentist, demonstrating his ability to influence others about his favourite professions! His youngest son however is sensibly avoiding paternal influences
The Suggett family is focused on sport with a strong footballing history, including playing for both the Magpies and Black Cats. Alan remarkably still plays regularly, but now only 5 a side (it was too embarrassing being the oldest full back in the Saturday 11-a-side league).
(Alan's PA is Helen Blades: 0191 243 6231 / helenblades@unw.co.uk)
Follow Alan on Twitter @AlanMSuggett
t: 0191 243 6009
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Andrew Wilson Audit & Assurance Partner
Andrew joined unw in December 2005 from PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was at PwC for almost 20 years, spending some time in Saudi Arabia, but for the most part being a client handler in the North East.
Andrew specialises in advising entrepreneurial privately owned businesses through every stage of their life cycle from start ups through the growth stages and eventually on to exit strategies and succession planning.
In recent years he has helped businesses in many different ways:
- restructuring
- raising Finance
- consolidating share holdings
- a “listing”
- acquiring businesses
- strengthening their finance function and developing their management reporting
Outside of work, Andrew worries and feels guilty about having indoctrinated his children into pursuing some of his own foolish pastimes; supporting Sunderland, playing rugby and asking too many questions.
(Andrew's PA is Michelle Dunlop: 0191 243 6087 / michelledunlop@unw.co.uk)
t: 0191 243 6008
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