Meet the Team
At Elsby, we have a great team of people. Much like an awards ceremony, it’s not always easy to mention them all by name. Those listed below are our core client-facing people (and one or two more who enjoy having their picture on the website) …
Audit Manager
Bio: Sue has always wanted to be an accountant after O Level bookkeeping filled a spare slot in her options at school. Sue trained with a top 20 firm in Northampton, then, after qualifying, she spent the next 20 years as a corporate manager and training manager in another independent practice before making the move to Elsby.
Role: Sue’s specialism is Audit and she comes to Elsby to drive the growing audit team,. Sue loves going out and meeting clients, getting to know their businesses to provide efficient audit services and practical advice. She is also passionate about training the next generation of accountants and auditors coming through the firm.
Fun fact: Sue loves murder mysteries - using all of her audit skills to sift through the evidence and identify the culprit!
Partner
Bio: Having made the tough decision to swap her hairdressing apprenticeship for accountancy, Claire became a Partner at Elsby before she was 30 and has worked in public practice for 18 years, the last 10 with Elsby.
Role: Claire manages a team of 8 and has her own client portfolio ranging from small to medium sized SMEs. In addition, Claire’s specific Partner focus is to drive the business development agenda, identifying new revenue opportunities.
Fun fact: Claire spends most weekends dressed up as Agnetha, one half of the ABBA tribute duo Honey, Honey!
Partner
Bio: Carl co-founded the business back in 1992 and has been the driving force behind its progression to be one of the main independent Practices in Northamptonshire, based on the simple, but important concepts of great personal service and going the extra mile to help.
Role: Carl looks after a portfolio of clients and is responsible for driving the business strategy. Carl is particularly interested in the development of individuals in the team, and providing career opportunities.
Fun fact: Carl loves playing squash, skiing, and mountain biking. In his first junior squash tournament, Carl took the first game off a future World Champion, but reports that it went downhill from there. Going downhill fast is therefore a key factor in all his hobbies.
Partner
Bio: Leona is a Chartered Accountant who has worked in small and medium sized practices throughout her career. Leona left school wishing to become a florist and was encouraged to be an accountant with the view to being able to buy her own florist shop in the future. Leona is yet to buy her flower shop, but still very much loves flowers!
Role: Leona manages a portfolio of SMEs and specialises in Limited Company and Charity Audits. Leona’s bubbly and personable demeanour have contributed to her success, particularly with her involvement in client audits and her management of the Elsby staff social and team building events.
Fun fact: Leona has done a tandem skydive at 12,000ft and been glacier trekking in New Zealand.
Client Manager
Bio: Jack’s accountancy career began in 2009 with an accounting apprenticeship - before he really knew what being an accountant was! Jack gained experience in practice before joining the Elsby Sywell office in 2020, qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant the same year.
Role: As a Client Manager, Jack enjoys working with small businesses, adding value to his portfolio of clients through accounting and advisory support. Jacks particular interest is management accounts and ensuring clients are up to date on their financials to support their decision making.
Fun fact: Jack likes making use of his National Trust membership, though came a cropper when trying to use his family ticket at an English Heritage venue!
Client Manager
Bio: With her heart set on accountancy, Carina left school and took a trainee position to kickstart her accounting career. After many years of hard work, support and determination, Carina qualified in 2021 and has since been promoted to Client Manager.
Role: In her role, Carina has a small portfolio and particularly enjoys working with construction and property clients. Carina is passionate about going the extra mile for our clients, and provides a welcoming, friendly but professional service with a smile.
Fun fact: Carina loves travelling, naming Sri Lanka as a favourite destination and looks forward to more adventures now that she has two precious boys to share them with.
Client Manager
Bio: After graduating from university with a first-class masters degree in Mathematics, Emily decided to pursue a career in accountancy. Emily joined Elsby straight from university in 2014 and has since progressed to Client Manager in 2021.
Role: Emily has her own portfolio of clients and also supports the partners with their portfolios. Emily enjoys supporting her clients with their day-to-day needs and has a focus on developing her surrounding team including training junior members.
Fun fact: Emily enjoys playing squash and tennis in her spare time and is known in the office for arranging an annual Elsby bake off.
Senior Client Manager
Bio: Following a few years spent partying (and studying mathematics) at Cardiff University, Claire put her reservations aside and took a role as a trainee accountant. Claire went on to join Elsby in 2016 and is now a Senior Client Manager.
Role: Claire likes to delve deep to understand the needs of clients and is known for being something of a technical geek. Claire brings her mathematical and people skills together to provide accounting and advisory support to help owner managed businesses grow.
Fun fact: Claire is a very keen hockey player and loves adrenaline filled activities. Claire somehow manages to combine these with creating extravagant cake creations for children’s birthdays.
FCCA
Financial Controller
Bio: Elliott graduated in 2009 with a 1st in Accounting and Finance, qualifying at Saffery Champness in 2013. Previously in the exciting field of film & TV providing tax advice and production finance, he has subsequently held management roles in financial services firms.
Role: Predominantly the accountants accountant, Elliott looks to drive business performance and achievement of strategic goals through operational efficiencies and strong data analysis, introducing his industry experiences to the firm and clients alike.
Fun fact: Elliott attended the Cannes film festival in 2013 and 2014, where he was barred from P Diddy’s boat party for not being good looking enough.
Client Manager
Bio: After not getting the required science qualifications to be a Marine Biologist, Jamie left school in 1994 and found a trainee job before qualifying in 1999. Two business moves later (in 2020), Jamie joined Elsby as a Client Manager.
Role: Jamie supports Leona and her team directly and manages the overall workflow and training of Leona’s team and employees, whilst also looking after his own portfolio of clients and the clients that came over following the acquisition of the RJB Partnership.
Fun fact: Scout leader and adventurer to exploring and falling down mountains (don’t ask), James combines his love of the outdoors with his family and dog. James is also a closet superhero and comic book fan – simply Marvel-lous!
Client Manager
Bio: After graduating from university with a first-class criminology degree, Laura decided the criminal world wasn’t for her and made the switch to accounting in 2015. Laura worked in a practice in Towcester before joining Elsby as a Client Manager in 2021.
Role: Laura has her own portfolio of clients and supports the partners on wider Elsby initiatives. Laura is passionate about client servicing and new business (being an integral part of the Elsby new business team) and also manages and trains junior members of the team.
Fun fact: Laura loves exploring the world. She spent 6 months traveling around Asia, Australasia, and America, with the majority being explored in a campervan! Next place on the wish list is Japan…
Payroll Manager
Bio: Natalie started as a trainee payroll clerk for Trust House Forte 30+ years ago! Since then she has worked in many sectors, from education to high street brands but always in payroll. Natalie has been with Elsby almost 5 years originally as assistant manager gaining promotion to Payroll Manager
Role: Natalie has a small portfolio of clients and heads up the payroll department. She loves everything surrounding payroll and is often heard saying “We don’t have problems, only solutions”
Fun fact: Natalie Is a huge music fan – don’t call at 10.30, the payroll ladies play popmaster… it’s the law, she has also see Simply Red more than 12 times!
Learning & Development Manager
Bio: Ann spent over 25 years in the corporate world managing high performance customer service and sales teams, and latterly as an executive coach. Then, she spent 6 years running her own successful small business providing training and executive coaching in private equity and venture capital start-ups as well as for individual professionals who found themselves managing people alongside their trained technical roles. Ann worked with Elsby and Co as a consultant initially, and came on board as a permanent employee in October 2022.
Role: Ann supports with employee development and training as the Learning and Development Manager, helping us build on the progress made, including developing our key staff to be partners as soon as they are ready
Fun fact: With a friend, Ann does a podcast called The Plodcast - it’s all about running and health.
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Client Services Manager
Bio: Lynda started as a trainee straight from school and spent the next 35 years at the same local practise. Having seen a lot of changes in compliance over the years, Lynda developed a passion for client training and support. She joined Elsby in February 2023 to be part of The Business Hub.
Role: Lynda helps develop the Business Hub so that clients can be supported with their business using an “in-house” perspective.
Fun fact: With 2 gorgeous grandsons spare time is limited for Lynda, but music is her “switch off”, with a love of Ska & Reggae. If you find yourself at the same gig as Lynda, you’ll find her down the front!
Client Bookkeeping Manager
Bio: After becoming a qualified hairdresser and spending a couple of years chopping hair, Debbie decided to do an apprenticeship in accountancy. Debbie has worked in a few practices and gained her AAT qualification before joining Elsby’s in 2017 where she has progressed to bookkeeping manager.
Role: As Client Bookkeeping Manager, Debbie jointly runs the bookkeeping team with her work Bestie, Susie. Together they make sure that all the bookkeeping and VAT returns are in, completed and filed in time.
Fun fact: Both Debbie and Susie did a tandem skydive recently (Debbie talked Susie into doing it with her) not that she needed much persuasion. Out of work Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband, twin teenage girls and Buddy (her beloved cockerpoo).
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Client Bookkeeping Manager
Bio: Working in Residential lettings as an Office Manager from the age of 20, Suzanne supported small independent companies through to large corporate companies, looking after several offices. After 10 years, and with a keen interest in back-office work including reporting and business strategy, Suzanne decided to change direction in her career and work with an Independent Bookkeeper – supporting with monthly accounts through to full Year end accounts. With plenty of practical and transferable skills, Suzanne then wanted a change of working culture and found herself applying for the role of Senior Bookkeeper at Elsby & Co, progressing to Client Bookkeeping Manager more recently. Suzanne enjoys “taking things that are in a pickle and making them straight” and loves that about her job!
Role: As Client Bookkeeping Manager, Suzanne jointly runs the bookkeeping team with her work bestie, Debbie. Together they make sure that all the bookkeeping and VAT returns are in, completed and filed in time.
Fun fact: Suzanne adores horses and has had them in her family since she was born. Now having 2 horses of her own, Baloo and Leo, Suzanne spends most of her time outside of the office with them. Suzanne is super competitive and has big goals with Baloo!
Client Manager
Bio: Libby met Elsby at a career fair while in her final year studying Business Economics at University. Alongside a move to the Northamptonshire area, she joined straight from university in 2017 and has since progressed to Client Manager in 2023.
Role: As a client manager, Libby has her own portfolio of clients and also supports the partners with their portfolios. Libby enjoys supporting her clients with their day-to-day needs and has a focus on developing her surrounding team including training junior members.
Fun fact: Libby is an avid gamer and loves to go to the cinema and watch films whenever she has the time!
Head of People & Culture
Bio: Clare is passionate about business and holds numerous roles with the Federation of Small Businesses at local and national level. Clare was instrumental in helping clients access grants and funding during COVID.
Role: As a co-founder of Elsby, Clare has worn many hats over the years and is proud to be the Head of People & Culture, looking after (she would argue) our most important asset – our people.
Fun fact: Clare holds a UK Latin dancing champion title, winning competitions at the Bournemouth International Centre and at the mecca of ballroom dancing – Blackpool Tower.
Partner
Bio: After graduating, travelling, and working in the family business, an opportunist application as a trainee accountant ensured Kupe’s fate was sealed. Qualifying in 2005, Kupe set up his own Practice before joining Elsby in 2013. Kupe now manages the Sywell office, having been a trainee with Elsby in 2001.
Role: Along with overseeing the Sywell operation, Kupe’s main focus is to ensure Elsby clients receive the best possible service and advice. Kupe particularly enjoys business advisory and tax planning and supporting his clients in achieving their business goals.
Fun fact: Kupe dreamt of becoming a chef but dispensed with his whites and became an accountant! Apart from his love of food, Kupe is passionate about keeping fit and driving fast.
Our vision is to be the only accountant you will ever need or ever wish to consult, throughout the lifetime of your business and beyond