Accounting & Business People
Watson Associates consists of a unique team of professionals totalling 41. Within this team there is a broad range of specialist skills required to meet the needs of the business community at large in both a personal and corporate level.
The practice is structured in such a way as to ensure the delivery of a personal service. By indentifying our clients needs we are able to ensure our individual skills are utilised thus ensuring the best service for our clients.
The Business accountancy services team is spearheaded by the six highly experienced partners, profiles of which are below:
Steve J Moore FCCA
Qualified in 1987, Stephen gained considerable experience in the Corporate sector. During his post qualification years he developed his skills in all professional work surrounding large corporate entities including Company restructuring, tax planning, acquisitions and sales and business planning strategy. A born enthusiast with first class communication skills, Stephen teamed up with Martin in 1994 to acquire the business as it now stands.
Stephen is a keen sportsman and has played table tennis for Country and county.
Geoff Slater ACA ATII
Geoff qualified as an ACA (i.e. ICAEW member) in 1986, passed Institute of Tax final exams in 1987 and became a member of the Institute of Taxation. In 1990 he became a Partner in another Sussex practice, Ashdown Hurrey, which he left to join Watsons in June 1999. His Client base is mainly larger partnerships and companies/groups. His main areas of work involve tax and business planning and business strategy, including group restructuring and preparation of businesses for sale and acting for business owners during a sale process alongside their lawyer.
Geoff enjoys a range of sports and is a keen sailor, skier and golfer.
Ian Hamblyn ACA
Ian joined Watsons shortly after qualifying 1992. Appointed a Partner in 1995, he has acquired considerable experience as a result of acting for an extensive portfolio of business clients. His portfolio consists of largely corporate clients and other owner managed businesses across a range of business sectors.
He particularly enjoys working with businesses to help then to achieve their objectives and undertaking tax planning to ensure that tax liabilities are minimised.
Married with three children Ian lives in Eastbourne and enjoys sailing and golf.
Richard Harris BA ACA
Richard graduated with a degree in accountancy from Sheffield University in 1992 and qualified in 1994. He joined Price Waterhouse in the Bahamas, where he developed his audit knowledge. He joined Watson's in 1997, initially as the Audit Manager, and was soon appointed Audit Partner. Since then he has developed a sizeable client base covering a wide spectrum of sizes and industries.
Richard is married, lives in Eastbourne and, when out of the office, he is usually found on the golf course, playing off a single-figure handicap.
Martin Wickens FCA
An original Partner with David Watson, Martin qualified as a Chartered Accountant at the age of 21. He quickly adopted an efficient style that has enabled him to build up a first class reputation as a capital taxes and litigation support expert. He is experienced in most aspects of accountancy, taxation and Investigation work. Martin teamed up with Stephen Moore in 1994 to acquire the company and has been actively building the team ever since. He is married with two sons.
John Males BA (Hons) ACA
John read accountancy and finance at the University of Brighton. He then studied for his Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, whilst working in private practice. As a Partner he focuses on the practical application of academic and professional studies, combined with a genuine desire to drive owner managed businesses forward.
He is a keen networker, often holding seminars to advise and develop businesses with varying profiles. John lives in Eastbourne with his wife and two sons.
Mark R Sellings FCCA
Mark joined the firm in 1992 and went on to undergo his training with the firm and achieve MAAT status in 1996, going on to qualify as an ACCA in 2000. Mark gained vast experience managing large corporate clients over the years, assisting with tax planning and technical issues.
Mark became Partner in April 2010 and has a varied portfolio of clients including corporate and owner managed businesses.
Mark lives in Eastbourne and enjoys golf and family time with his wife and daughter.
