Group Chief Executive Officer
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Daren Moore FCCA
Daren Moore joined The TaxAssist Direct Group Board of Directors in 2018, having spent his entire career in the accountancy and professional services sector. Prior to joining TaxAssist Daren had partnership positions in national and regional practices, including membership of the Management Board of a Top 25 firm. Daren was appointed as Group CEO in 2022, with responsibility for all aspects of group operations and the implementation of an ambitious strategy for longer term growth.
Daren's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Group Chief Financial Officer
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Nic Redfern BSc ACA
Nic Redfern joined The TaxAssist Group in 2024, as Group Chief Financial Officer, to lead the finance team and support the strategic aspirations of the business. Nic trained with Ernst & Young and then moved into industry where he has spent his career working with fast growing businesses in the financial services and digital sectors. Nic's responsibilities vary from Finance, Legal, Compliance and HR as well as broader strategic planning.
Nic's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Group Director of Franchising
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James Mattam BSc. (Hons)
James has spent his entire full-time career with TaxAssist Accountants since completing his honours degree in Business Information Systems. James joined the Group Board in 2016 as Group Business Development Director. In 2025, he moved to a new role created to focus purely on growing and supporting the franchised businesses which are a key segment of the TaxAssist Group.
James's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Group Director of Practices
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Karl Gessner ACA
Karl oversees the management, integration and growth of The TaxAssist Group's owned practices. Primarily based at the Norwich Support Centre, Karl works closely with teams across the Group's acquired businesses to deliver on the overall Group strategy. Karl has extensive experience, having spent 20 years as a Partner at Deloitte in South Africa, Australia and Ukraine. Since moving to the UK in 2017, his roles have included Director at Price Bailey, and Managing Director and Finance Director roles.
Karl's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Group Chief Operating Officer
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Mike Melling
Mike was appointed as Group Development Director in 2022, becoming the first TaxAssist Accountants franchisee to serve as an Executive Director. In 2024 Mike was appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer. Mike's role is to support the growth of the TaxAssist Group and complementary services, drive best practices through the deployment of world class systems and capabilities, integrate and grow targeted acquisitions as well as supporting franchisees using the experiences he has built up since joining the Network.
Mike's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Group Director
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Sarah Robertson MSc, Dip M, FCIM, FIDM, Chartered Marketer
Sarah joined the TaxAssist Accountants Board in September 2004. Sarah has a vast working knowledge of the TaxAssist Accountants network and her current role as Group Director, is to support the profitability, performance and growth of the UK network of franchisees.
Sarah's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Non-Executive Director
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Phil Sullivan (BSc. Hons), ACIB
During a 26-year career with HSBC Bank plc Phil achieved Executive Management status and undertook roles covering a wide range of disciplines including retail banking, corporate and commercial banking, credit control, strategic planning, human resources and training. Phil established his own business in 2006 providing corporate and commercial advisory services to selected business clients. His main business interests lie in corporate finance and management/leadership theory and practice.
Phil was appointed as an Adviser to the Board in 2007 and became an Executive Director in October 2008. As a full-time Executive Director Phil's main responsibilities included UK and international finance, internal financial control, company secretarial responsibilities and a major input into strategic planning and management of major projects. In 2022 Phil moved to a part-time Non-Executive Director role. As a member of the Group Board, he chairs the Audit Committee, retains an overview of Group finances and supports the Group MD with strategic planning and talent development.
Phil's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Non-Executive Chairman
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Dorian Gonsalves
Dorian joined the TaxAssist Group Board in March 2025 to provide strategic guidance and advice to the executive team.
His experience includes a 14-year tenure as CEO at Belvoir Group PLC. During this period, he led Belvoir’s flotation on to the London Stock Exchange and diversified the business from purely lettings into financial services, property sales and other associated income streams, operating from 487 multi-branded locations nationwide.
A total of 12 corporate acquisitions were completed by Dorian and his team at Belvoir, which increased revenues almost ten-fold. These included six acquisitions of competing franchisors and six complementary financial services businesses. Dorian also oversaw the development of the Belvoir Group’s unique in-house Assisted Acquisition Programme, which sources and facilitates business expansion opportunities for franchisees. This programme resulted in the successful completion of over 140 franchisee-led acquisitions.
An experienced franchise professional, Dorian has achieved the British Franchise Association’s Qualified Franchise Professional status. He also serves as an independent advisor to a diverse portfolio of businesses spanning franchising, property development, house building, accountancy, and The King’s Trust, where he has offered his expertise to young people on a voluntary basis for over 12 years.
Dorian's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Director of Services
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Andy Gibbs ATT, CTA
Andy manages the Technical team who provide support and offer practical solutions in relation to accounting, tax and practice needs of TaxAssist Accountants and their staff. He also heads up Payroll by TaxAssist and Tax Consulting by TaxAssist.
Andy's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Head of Network Development
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Samantha Skyring FCCA, ACIPP, MAAT
Samantha focuses on embedding continuous learning and self-improvement within the network through the 'Training Academy'. She also takes responsibility for the continued growth and development of franchisees through in-depth consultations and coordinating a team to facilitate site visits. She uses her knowledge and experience to work closely with new franchisees and ensure they are set up for success from the beginning.
Samantha's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Head of Group Practice Capabilities
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Jo Nockels FCCA, FMAAT, AATQB
Jo's role centres on maximising software utilisation and enhancing practice efficiency. She empowers TaxAssist practice owners, staff and clients to thrive through knowledge, innovation and streamlined operations.
Jo's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Head of Group Technology
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Richard Washington
Richard is responsible for the relationship management with our recommended IT, telephony and printing partners as well as for the continuing development of our web-based systems.
Richard's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Group Head of Marketing and Brand
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Kelly Chick MCIM, CMktr
Kelly oversees the Marketing, Communication and Inbound teams, implementing the national and local marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility and the acquisition of network leads.
Kelly's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Head of Group Business Intelligence
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Simon Hutchinson
Simon's role reflects the importance of utilising, standardising and structuring the data we have as a network, for the benefit of servicing clients and the network of TaxAssist Accountants.
Simon's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Group HR Manager
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Jill Mackman
Jill is responsible for all HR related matters across the TaxAssist Group.
Jill's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
Head of Group Compliance
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Tim Duffield FCCA
Tim manages compliance for the TaxAssist Group of companies and acts as a source of best practice and guidance for the franchisee network.
Tim's LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.
