A huge welcome to Claire Spencer who joins us as a Corporate Finance Partner in the East Midlands, and to Brett Barton, Director of BLB Advisory who joins us as an Insolvency Practitioner this month too!

Welcome both! Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

Brett: I am originally from Poole in Dorset and grew up with a love of the sea and outdoor living.  Looking back it seems somewhat counter-intuitive that in 1998 I decided to move to the Midlands; being the furthest point away from the sea that you can get in the Country.  However, from a career progression perspective, there were greater opportunities and I learned a significant amount working at a top 10 practice with exposure to large engineering and high-tech businesses.

I have a passion for problem solving and helping people and whilst being an insolvency practitioner isn’t the catchiest job title (not that many people even know what that is), I do get to help people when they are often at their lowest.  The feedback at the end of the process from thankful directors makes the pressure and stress worth it.

On a personal front, I am a keen sportsman and enjoy both playing and watching all sports, anything that involves being outside in the fresh air.  I also have a passion for anything that goes fast from cars to mountain biking. 

Claire: So, I’m Claire! Mum to one daughter: Georgia, 15, and a Cocker Spaniel, Wilson 3.5!  I also inherited my dad’s parrot when he passed away a few years ago so it makes for a relatively noisy household.

I have worked in corporate finance for the past 22 years, 5 at BDO, 14 at Grant Thronton and the past 3 at LAVA.  I’ve worked in Sheffield, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester and London over all those years with clients everywhere.  I love working with owner managed business’s shareholders and their management teams and really enjoy the relationships I develop.

I’m originally from Buxton, spent my teenage years in North Wales and have lived in South Sheffield for the past 30 years.

Why did you join #TEAMPKFSC for the next phase of your career?

Claire: PKF Smith Cooper’s culture is what drew me to applying for the Partner role. The people, the clients and the way everyone seems to work and communicate is just my style and I can’t wait to get started.

Brett: Whilst running your own business is great, with the ability to be both agile and creative, it can be a lonely place in the growing world of compliance and risk. When I spoke with Dean and we discussed the possibility of working together, it felt like I would be joining a firm with a similar ethos, with the same values.  With the support of the wider community at PKF SC, I am keen to explore a world of new opportunities.

Who is your leadership or business role model?

Brett: Wow, too many to mention.  I have been lucky to work with some very talented people and when I reflect, I really benefitted from their mentorship.  This is something that I have tried to replicate with members of my own team and I am proud that through the years of being a business owner, three juniors have gone on to become insolvency practitioners in their own right.

In terms of famous people, in recent years I have become more aware of mindfulness and looking after your own wellbeing. I listen to various podcasts and every guest gives me a takeaway that I bring into my own life.  My favourite story to regale at the moment is when Arnold Schwarzenegger was talking about weight training with Mohammed Ali. Arnie says “How many total reps do you do in a day?” and Ali says, “I don’t know, I only start counting when it starts hurting”.

Claire: It’s impossible to have just one. I take pieces of wisdom from everywhere, not really high-profile characters as such but those I’ve worked with across the professional, corporate and third sector over the years.

What are you most looking forward to in 2024?

Brett: I am not sure I am looking forward to 2024 as I have a big birthday but as a family we’ve got some great adventures planned and I am looking forward to exploring these new places with them.

Claire: Professionally, I can’t wait to get stuck into my new role and really become part of the firm, generating new relationships but also further developing existing ones.

Personally, I have a few holidays lined up to the USA and France, and the start of friends’ 50th birthday celebrations here and abroad!

Once again, a huge welcome to you both! We look forward to working with you all and getting to know you more.