Annual Update Conference

Mark joined HMRC in 1989 and undertook their full training exams. In 1996 he was made Deputy District Inspector for the Derby area and had detailed experience of all types of Revenue enquiries.

Mark joined Mercia as an experienced lecturer and now provides a wide variety of CPD training around the country. He is also a well-known contributor to professional publications and provides technical consultancy to the accountancy profession.

James joined Mercia in October 2022 as VAT trainer and consultant. His role involves writing technical material as well as devising and delivering VAT training courses. James has a wide experience of VAT and indirect tax, beginning his VAT career with HM Customs & Excise (as it then was) before moving to the private sector in 1995 and gaining his CTA qualification. Latterly, he had VAT partner and head of VAT roles in Grant Thornton and Mazars. James was actively involved with the Charity Tax Group for a number of years and has presented on VAT topics for the Charity Finance Group.

Outside of work, music remains a keen interest. Aside from playing jazz on the tenor sax, James is a regular member of the trumpet section of several big bands.

Louise has been continuously involved in training and consultancy since 1987 and is a qualified barrister. She provides advice and assistance to employers through a consultancy company, CompleteHR Ltd and has assisted with the preparation of many disciplinary and investigation reports.

Louise has also engaged in CPD training for most of the national accountancy training bodies and district societies in the UK for many years. She is involved in management training, particularly in employment and HR, for many large multinational and national commercial companies. Louise has also published academic papers in refereed journals, chiefly on employment status and corporate manslaughter.

Peter qualified as a Chartered Accountant with an international accountancy firm before working in industry. He has over 20 years of training experience. He writes and presents technical updates for firms of accountants and qualified accountants of private and listed companies. Peter specialises in financial reporting, auditing and practice regulation. Peter also regularly carries out compliance reviews for firms of accountants, which provides him with an invaluable insight into the practical financial reporting and auditing issues that they face.