Mark Leigh - Held to Account

July & Augusts Member in the spotlight

An interview with Mark Leigh, Corporate Finance Partner at Roffe Swayne

 

Tell us about your company.

We are a long-established and successful independent firm of accountants based in Godalming, Surrey with a significant client presence in the West End and the City. Our very active boutique corporate finance team serve the private equity market and SMEs, undertaking a broad range of M&A work. Working in collaboration with business owners, advisers and investors, we help to buy, sell, value and advise on management buy-ins and buy-outs. In-house, we also have a specialist forensic accounting offering. In addition, our skilled outsourcing team can support businesses with their legacy systems and payroll issues, unravel bookkeeping errors and reduce costs by outsourcing their financial processing, management accounts, or even their finance director role. Our tax specialists provide a comprehensive range of tax advice for both corporate and private clients.

What has been your biggest success?
I am extremely proud of the firm that we have created today. We make sure that every one of our team receives the right level of support and development, and with great leisure, social and charity activities throughout the year, we have created a great team spirit. Work highlights
have been getting difficult transactions over the line and the joy that this has brought to our clients – in many instances life changing for them. Whether it has been advising a large international group of private member sports Held to account clubs, or securing a small retirement sale for someone who has spent a lifetime building up their business, it is always extremely satisfying.

What project are you most excited about right now?
Working on a wide range of interesting deals with our clients. The exciting part is working with some of our bright young talented
team who are demonstrating their ability to source and run these transactions. It is great developing and nurturing talent and sharing your experiences with them.

How has being a member of The Clubhouse contributed to the success of your business?
The Clubhouse has provided a great, convenient place to meet our clients and contacts, and The Clubhouse, St James’s and Bank create a great impression. It has definitely given our work in London a boost. Our clients are always happy to come to The Clubhouse.

Where can members find you?

I use all of The Clubhouse locations, with a preference for St James’s because of its close proximity to many of my clients. However, more recently, I have been using The Clubhouse, Bank, which is also in a great location and is a very enjoyable place to work and meet clients.

 

Quick Fire Round 

Favourite place to go in London?
I enjoy walking the streets of London, particularly in the summer – it is a lot more pleasant than the underground.

Who inspires you and why?
Mark Cavendish. A truly great competitor who gives his all. He is a real winner but also quick to acknowledge that he could not do it
without the help of his team and he puts his hands up when he makes a mistake. A good life lesson.

Best bit of advice you’ve been given?
You learn more from the things that go wrong than when things go to plan. It is how you deal with the setbacks that defines you.

If you were on a desert island, what would you bring?
My boat – I love messing around on the water, and it would also be my way home after I had finished enjoying myself!

What is the worst business ‘faux-pas’ you’ve committed?
It has got to be the trials and tribulations of sending an email to the wrong person. It is so easily done and can take a lot of explaining, but I am extra vigilant these days.

 

For more about Roffe Swayne visit their website: roffeswayne.com

This article was originally featured in The Informer. To read the full magazine, please click here.