Meet LRM’s speakers and trainers

Michael Blake has worked for 25 years as a specialist in the taxation of farmers, landed estates, bloodstock breeding, mineral extraction and the development of land.

His career includes working for the Inland Revenue, PwC and Grant Thornton, where he was the spokesman for the firm at national events such as the Royal Agricultural Society Show.

For the last 10 years Michael has run his own practice. He acts as a national capital gains tax and inheritance tax specialist for IRIS Professional Tax Ltd.

Dr Ros Martin is a consultant and lecturer covering all aspects of direct tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax. Until 2002, Ros was a fully trained Inland Revenue Inspector. She is now a consultant advising on tax planning for large and small businesses and individuals, as well as dealing with full and aspect enquiry work.

Her clients are mainly small and medium-sized accountancy practices. Her consultancy work means she understands the key issues of concern for accountancy professionals, and the practical application of the legislation.

Tony Jenkins is a freelance tax lecturer with his own practice. He has over 30 years experience in training and advising clients in all types of businesses, gah Clark Whitehill, and Ernst & Young.

Tony currently provides monthly tax updates to major firms of accountants and bespoke specialist training to other business organisations on a wide variety of topics. His practical experience with clients gives him a flair for demonstrating the financial value which can be added through rapid and focused technical training. In addition to his own practice, Tony provides consultancy advice to other firms of accountants.

Brian Ogilvie is a Chartered Certified Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser, based in Hove. He worked for a number of small and medium sized general practice firms in the Sussex area for over 15 years, qualifying with Carpenter Box Chartered Accountants, before establishing his own successful practice in 1997. In addition to his practice work, Brian is a tax consultant with leading accounting firm Chantrey Vellacott DFK LLP. He is also a freelance tax lecturer for organisations such as ACCA, ICAEW, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).

Brian has written online e-CPD training courses for CCH, and is current chairman of the Sussex branch of the CIOT. He has a lively training style, using illustrative case studies, and drawing on his extensive experience of providing tax advice on various areas affecting the SME sector.

Gerry Hart is an experienced Chartered Tax Adviser who provides technical tax support to other professional advisers such as accountants and solicitors, as well as creating tax strategies for individuals and businesses. He also provides bespoke tax planning reports or summaries via My Online Tax Adviser at www.onlinetaxadvice.net.

Gerry is a prolific lecturer on a variety of tax subjects, with an enthusiastic style ensuring delegates get the most out of his presentations.

Over the years Gerry has created and developed several tax practices, including The Tax Team which he formed in 1994. When the company was sold to H & R Block in 1997, Gerry was appointed the Head of UK Operations; a position he held for nearly five years. He is a former National President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and founder chairman of the Sussex Branch.

Neil Warrren is our VAT expert. Neil spent 14 years as an inspector in HM Customs and Excise before setting up his own tax and accounting practice in 1997.

Neil first started lecturing while in Customs and Excise and honed his presentation skills at Barnfield College and with BPP. He now lectures exclusively on VAT, working for institutes and course providers throughout the UK.

During the last 13 years Neil has been the main VAT consultant for a number of small and medium sized practices in the south east. His reputation for being able to simplify complex VAT issues and offer straightforward advice is second to none.

Alongside his speaking engagements and VAT consultancy work Neil also writes in VAT for most of the leading tax publications in the UK including Taxation, TaxLine, Tax Advisor, Tolley’s Practical VAT Newsletter and CCH VAT News. His articles focus on practical topics with clear solutions and advice.

Amanda Fisher  began her career with HMRC and Customs before moving into practice where she qualified with Grant Thornton. In practice she gained considerable experience dealing with private tax clients and their trusts and estates.

For the last five years Amanda has been building her own tax and accountancy practice working with private clients.

Alongside her practice work Amanda regularly lectures both as an exam tutor and on the CPD circuit.

Amanda is also a member of the probate and estates committee for STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Philip Ridgway is a tenant at Temple Tax Chambers having joined the set when he returned to the Bar in June 2007.

Philip lectures and advises on all areas of revenue law both corporate and personal but has a particular interest in corporate tax matters including acquisitions and disposals, reconstructions and demergers, MBO’s, returning capital to shareholders, s245 schemes, Stamp Duty, SDLT and SDRT.