Finest steering group member and Director at Geens Chartered Accountants.

I’m Chris Beeston, a Director at Geens Chartered Accountants. We are based in Stoke and are well known on the local business scene, having been around as accountants since 1884. But don’t let our proud history influence you, we’re not old fashioned, stuffy accountants and we’ve successfully moved to the brave new world of digital services.

Geens offers a full range of accountancy services for all kinds of companies and charities. Our team can provide a dedicated partner to assist with payroll services, VAT advice, financial management, general accountancy services, company secretarial, business planning, audit and regulation, business and personal tax, trusts and estates, inheritance and capital gains tax, financial planning and general tax advice.

I joined the Board at Geens as Tax Director in 2017 when I was just 26-years-old. Most recently, I was elected as President of the ICAEW for the area covering Staffordshire, Shropshire and Wolverhampton and representing 1,800 Chartered Accountants nationally and internationally.

I specialise in tax planning, trusts and estates and I’m highly motivated to help my clients to plan future financial security for themselves and their families.

Geens have supported Finest for many years and we know the value of maintaining good relationships on the business scene in Staffordshire. Finest helps us to keep in touch with other professionals and can lead to new client recommendations and potential for productive collaborations with other professionals. This adds value to all involved.

Joining the steering group of Finest allowed me to grow that influence further, forging stronger bonds and helping to plan high value learning and networking opportunities for our professional network. Stoke-on-Trent’s crest has the motto “Vis Unita Fortior” and this translates to “United Strength is Stronger”, a perfect summation of what networking should be about.

If you want to get in touch, please contact me via email at chris.beeston@geens.co.uk, telephone 01782 847952.

Who are you are what do you do?

I’m an Audit Manager at RSM UK; a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services to middle market leaders, globally.

In the UK we have approximately 3,650 partners and staff, with access to over 48,000 people in over 120 countries across the RSM network. I have the privilege of being based in the Stoke on Trent office but my role is certainly much wider reaching on a daily basis, as we continue to work closely (albeit remotely for now) with colleagues, whether they are based in the North West Region or perhaps as far away as China.

As an Audit Manager at RSM I am responsible for overseeing and project managing the end to end audit process and ensuring that we provide the highest level of service to our clients. However most importantly I aim to add value and insight to clients, as well as ensuring that they maintain compliance. I have a passion for working with global businesses and relish the challenge of project managing global audits which involve multiple overseas members of the RSM network to provide a global audit solution.

I am also fortunate enough to be the Audit Group Manager for the Stoke office, which has given me the opportunity to be involved with recruitment, wider resource planning and further commercial aspects to increase my business acumen, which further increases my ability to hold meaningful conversations with clients about their business.

Why do you do it?

I thrive off the variety within my role. Within a typical week I might be interviewing for new team members, coaching and developing junior members of the team before moving on to preparing reports for a meeting with one of my exciting clients. I also have a passion for delivering great service to clients and spending time getting to know them, as well as their business.

Why is being a member of Finest important to you?

Future Finest has allowed me to build lasting professional relationships within the region, across a diverse range of disciplines and backgrounds that is not usually available in other formats. Future Finest facilitates many great events that expand your local network, contribute to your continuing professional development and allow you to enjoy yourself – all at the same time!

I would always recommend that anyone considering a Future Finest event should attend, I can assure you that whilst it might seem daunting at first, there is always a welcoming atmosphere and someone new to meet.

Why are you a member of the Steering Group?

Having attended Future Finest events prior to joining the steering committee, I understood the importance of what was being achieved by Future Finest in the local professional community. There are very few other platforms where young professionals can network and develop in this manner and I enjoy being involved in making suggestions for future events that may continue to attract new members.

How can someone get in touch with you to learn more about your services?

Once Covid restrictions allow, if you are near Festival Park and would like to drop in for a coffee and a catch up on how we might be able to provide support then feel free to do so. In the meantime you can contact me on 01782 216276 or email me at ben.hall@rsmuk.com.

To find out more about RSM UK visit: www.rsmuk.com

Pete Rossiter – Head of Tax at Sempar Accountancy and Tax limited, a fast growing accountancy firm in Staffordshire and also co-chair of Future Finest.

Moving from Manchester to Staffordshire, Future Finest has enabled me to grow a trusted professional network as well as giving me the opportunity to develop and train alongside my professional peers in an enjoyable way.

I feel privileged to be part of the steering group and to be in a position where I can positively impact young professionals’ development as they grow in their careers.

Who are you are what do you do?

Angela Henry Director at M&M Vehicle Repairs (inc. Fix Auto Stoke & North Staffs) which is part of the M&M Group. My role is quite diverse, I am involved in the Business Development, I manage and oversee Key Accounts and contracts with Insurance, Commercial partners, Fleets and Local Business. I look after our Front of House and Customer Service, including Recruiting and Training. I am Vice President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Stoke and work with Local Brokers. We have a long standing Apprenticeship program and I sit on the Partnership Board with Local Schools and Academy’s. I always say I am lucky because despite having good days and bad days (which is quite normal) I actually love what I do.

At M&M Vehicle Repairs – we specialise in repairing damaged vehicles and we do this for direct Retail Customers, as well being the Approved Repair for Insurers and also carry over 16 Manufacturer Approvals – what does that mean? It means we are experts in our field, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle has been repaired correctly and safely, back to manufacturing standards, by our Qualified Technicians.

Why is being a member of Finest important to you?

Being part of the Finest is about developing soft skills and I personally don’t think this should be under estimated. Finest helps with networking which in turn creates the opportunity to build relationship and connections. I know a lot of people don’t like walking into a room, especially if they don’t know anyone, well my trick has always been to imagine you are hosting your own party, so first of all and most importantly – you have every right to be there. Hopefully by the end of it you have enjoyed it and next time you see some of those people, you will be familiar to each other.

Why are you a member of the Steering Group?

I am honoured to have been invited to join the steering group and lucky that I also get the support and encouragement from my business to do this. It has actually enabled me to increase my profile and in addition to getting involved with the “behind the scene” planning and events, it’s given me a greater understanding of just how hard everyone works to create the environment and platforms for businesses and individuals to engage and help each other where possible.