My role
I am a Partner based in our Norwich office but I also cover Waveney and the East Coast. My particular specialisms are advising SME’s and family businesses. I work across many sectors including construction and property, hospitality and local energy sectors. I enjoy making tax planning effective and easy to understand for my clients.
About me
I am a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in practice. I live in Beccles with my wife and two children and, when not working, I enjoy various sports. As a junior athlete I once competed for my country and, whilst no longer as dedicated as I once was, I still enjoy running when I can.
My sectors and specialisms
- SME Business
- Start-ups and Micro-business
- Services to the Energy Sector
- Construction and Property
- Hospitality and Leisure

Speak to me about
- Accounting and Tax compliance
- Cloud accounting
- Payroll services
- Bookkeeping
Latest Articles

Are hybrid cars worth a second look for business owners?
Tax savings are not the only consideration for company car drivers ‘going green’ and more and more often we are seeing a reversal of the green revolution.

Small company exemption proposed changes
Under a current review being undertaken by law makers, small business owners could soon be disclosing much more on the public record than has been required for many years.

A mixed picture for business investment
We knew in advance of the Chancellor’s statement yesterday that he was going to stick with the increase in corporation tax from 19% to 25%, a move which will bring in an extra £17 billion a year to the Treasury. So, it was inevitable that he would feel he had to give a portion of that cash back to business to encourage investment.

Tax year-end planning more vital than ever for leisure and hospitality businesses, says sector expert
With changes to Corporation Tax and Investment Allowances, businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector need to be taking action before the end of the tax year

HMRC launch a new campaign targeting those who sell goods or services online for profit
The new campaign of nudge letters is aimed at individuals who have sold goods or services through online platforms or created content on digital platforms.

Autumn Statement reaction from James Shipp
Jeremy Hunt said that everyone would feel the pain in his Economic Statement; that is certainly true of businesses, and SMEs in particular. Given that they are the real engine of growth in the UK economy, he may find that attacking them on every front will not prove popular in the business community.

Budget reaction from James Shipp
Well, no-one can say that Liz Truss’s government is not implementing the policies she set out during her leadership campaign – in fact, the mini-Budget went considerably further than most of us expected.

New PM announced, what could this mean for business?
We have just received the news that Liz Truss will be succeeding Boris Johnson as our new Prime Minister tomorrow, once the procedural formalities are completed by The Queen.

Leading hospitality and leisure expert welcomes support announced today, but warns of further uncertainty
A leading hospitality and leisure specialist accountant has welcomed the support announced today for hospitality and leisure businesses facing the consequences of the omicron variant – but says that what the sector really needs is certainty going forward.

Employers likely to end up paying the lion’s share of national insurance rise
In an environment where staff shortages are endemic, it may well be businesses which have to bear the brunt of the National Insurance rise, says James Shipp of Lovewell Blake.

Five top tips to make the hospitality ‘grand re-opening’ a success
Monday 17th May is a red-letter day for the entire hospitality sector; it is the day when, finally, restaurants, pubs and cafes can throw open their doors and welcome customers back inside. Whilst those businesses with usable outside space have been partially open for a few weeks now, for most 17th May marks the return to business after many bleak months of closure.

Counting the cost of IR35
Changes to the IR35 rules are designed to ensure contractors pay their fair share of tax and national insurance – but the move could be counter-productive, especially in the energy sector, says James Shipp of Lovewell Blake.

SME Brexit Support fund open for applications
The £20 million fund opened on 15 March 2021 for smaller businesses to apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU.

Leading accountant calls for extension of self-employment COVID support to those who started trading after march 2019
A leading Norfolk accountant is lobbying the Treasury to extend the financial help for self-employed people to those who started trading after March 2019 – saying that these are the very businesses which will help lead the eastern region towards recovery once the pandemic is over.

Brexit trade deal
The signing of a trade deal with the EU will be a huge relief to businesses, averting as it does the potentially damaging consequences of no deal.

Targeted help for employers and employees welcome - but will it be enough?
Rishi Sunak’s announcement of
targeted support for businesses forced to close because of Covid-19 are
welcome, but there are many unanswered questions, says James Shipp
of Lovewell
Blake.

Time to consider whether to defer payment of tax bills falling due
VAT, PAYE and Corporation Tax payments falling due can be deferred – but should you.

Owner-managed businesses largely left to fend for themselves
Government help during the Covid-19 crisis may appear to have left owner-managed businesses high and dry, but there are steps they can take to weather the storm.

Government assistance for start-up businesses
Despite appearing to be left out of government assistance schemes, there are avenues open to start-ups.