Meet the Team

Shane Wills BSc(Hons) FCA | shane@esw.co.uk

Shane founded esw in 1996, having trained and qualified within small and medium sized firms in London and the South East. He has an excellent knowledge, and vast experience, of accounting, taxation and general financial matters applying to a variety of clients at all levels.

Shane continues to lead and manage the practice believing his biggest achievement in the success of esw has been to bring together a team of likeminded, professional and approachable people.

Steve Cracknell FCA | steve@esw.co.uk

Steve joined esw in May 2007

Steve has more than 30 years’ experience in general accountancy practice. He trained and qualified at a medium sized Southend practice before moving on to one of the largest accountancy firms in the local area. Prior to joining esw, he spent some 7 years as a senior partner at another local firm.

Steve’s role is to promote the continuing development of esw whilst ensuring that all of our clients receive the best possible service.

Paula Fricker | paula.fricker@esw.co.uk

Paula joined esw in 2003 as a client manager having trained with a large Southend practice.

Paula has a wealth of experience dealing with the accounting, audit and taxation affairs of a wide range of clientele from the sole proprietor and family run business to the larger and more diverse such as property development, public houses, hotels and restaurants. Paula also has experience dealing with clientele from regulated industries covering medical practitioners, solicitors, pension funds, small charities, travel agencies and FSA regulated clients.

Apart from general accountancy, Paula prides herself on being very approachable and willing to discuss any of her clients’ business needs.

Stephen Anstis FCCA | stephen.anstis@esw.co.uk

Stephen joined esw in 2011. He has been involved in the accountancy profession for over 20 years having qualified in 1998 whilst working for a practice in Southend, in which he was subsequently appointed a director.

During these years, Stephen has gained extensive experience dealing with clients’ affairs, ranging from sole proprietors to AIMs listed companies, covering numerous business sectors including the construction industry, software development, and manufacturing.

Stephen has great technical knowledge and enjoys assisting clients with the commercial aspects of their business, as well as information technology requirements.

Jodie Russell | jodie.russell@esw.co.uk

Jodie Russell joined esw in 2006 as payroll manager having gained a number of years experience in practice and specialises in payroll operation and management, construction industry regulations and HR.

Jodie manages our payroll bureau for a wide range of clientele dealing with day to day payroll operational requirements, assisting both contractors and subcontractors within the construction industry and providing general advice to clients on various employment issues and legislation. 

Jodie also assists and advises clients on the implementation of payroll software and provides training for in-house systems.

Jess Bean | jessica.bean@esw.co.uk

Jess joined esw in 2017 as manager of our bookkeeping team. She has worked in both commerce and practice gaining extensive experience of bookkeeping covering a wide range of clients and accounting packages including Sage, Xero and Quickbooks.

Jess also enjoys assisting clients with setting up their own in house bookkeeping systems.

Lisa Fowke-Aherne | lisa.fowke@esw.co.uk

Lisa joined esw in May 2008 as an accounts clerk with an AAT qualification and has been a valued member of the esw team ever since.

Lisa has a wide knowledge of accounting and taxation and works across a variety of clientele including sole traders, family run businesses, medium sized companies and those in the regulatory sector. She is a team player and is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Sarah Stephens | sarah.stephens@esw.co.uk

Sarah joined esw in November 2009. Already being AAT qualified, Sarah carried on with her studying and training with esw and gained her ACCA qualification.

Sarah has assisted many of the managers and has gained a wide knowledge of accountancy and taxation within many different types of industries. Sarah has built a lasting rapport with clients and colleagues.

Sarah also assists with the esw practice professional compliance matters.

Dawn Wallace | dawn.wallace@esw.co.uk

Dawn joined esw in May 2013 as an accounts clerk. During her time at esw she has become AAT qualified and is now working towards her ATT Tax qualification.

She has a wide knowledge of accounting and taxation, having gained extensive experience working within both commerce and practice, and a variety of clientele covering a number of different business sectors. Dawn prides herself on being approachable, dependable and is always willing to help out.

Michael Peck | michael.peck@esw.co.uk

Michael joined esw in August 2014, to start his career in accountancy. During his time at esw he has successfully attained both the AAT and ACCA qualifications.

Michael has a wide range of general accountancy, audit and taxation experience gained from working on a range of clients. Following completion of his ACCA examinations, Michael has now been appointed as the firm’s audit manager.

Mark Semple | mark.semple@esw.co.uk

Mark joined esw in October 2015, having worked in the accountancy profession for over 20 years.

He has a wealth of experience having worked for various small and medium sized accountancy practices. His extensive knowledge in all aspects of accounting and taxation equips him to deal with a variety of small, medium and large businesses across all sectors including small charities, FSA and estate agency audits.

Jade Gartside | jade.gartside@esw.co.uk

Jade joined esw in July 2017, having previously gained experience with another local practice. She is currently AAT qualified and studying towards her ACCA qualification.

Jade deals with a broad range of clients, from the small sole traders to the larger limited companies, and particularly enjoys advising clients and building relationships with them.

Keree Dimbleby | keree.dimbleby@esw.co.uk

After previously gaining 5 years’ accountancy experience within a local practice, Keree joined the esw team in February 2018.

She has part completed the AAT qualification and is keen to progress her knowledge in further study and experience working with clients and other members of the esw team.

Leith Rennie | leith.rennie@esw.co.uk

Leith joined esw in 2019, having worked and trained at small and medium sized local accountancy practices in the London and Southend area over the previous 5 years.

Having obtained his first qualification while at a London based firm, Leith carried on with his studying and training with esw and gained his ACCA qualification. Leith has a wide range of general accountancy, audit and taxation experience and has built lasting relationships with clients and colleagues.

Rosie Dobinson | rosie.dobinson@esw.co.uk

Rosie joined esw in July 2018. She is currently studying towards an Advanced Diploma in Accounting, having achieved the AAT Level 3 qualification.

Rosie has obtained practical experience working as part of the payroll team, including processing for a wide range of clients and handing client queries and is now looking to develop her all round practical accounting skills.

Richard Rands | richard.rands@esw.co.uk

Richard joined the esw bookkeeping team in August 2021. He is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor and has experience of all major bookkeeping packages, as well as assisting clients with the preparation of management accounts and reports.

Richard brings a wealth of experience having worked at accountancy firms around London for more than 20 years, prior to relocating to this area. In August 2023 Richard moved to the esw accountancy team, to progress and develop his skills in accounts production and tax.

Maddii Atkins | maddii.atkins@esw.co.uk

Maddii joined esw in August 2022 having gained 4 years’ experience at a small local accountancy practice.

Maddii has already obtained the AAT qualification and is now progressing through her ACCA training. She is very keen to widen her commercial and practical accountancy and taxation experience as part of the esw team, working for a wide range of clients in a variety of business sectors.

Joe Chalmers | joe.chalmers@esw.co.uk

Joe joined esw in March 2024, following gaining 2 years’ experience with a local accountancy practice.

Joe has a First-Class Honours Degree in Economics. He has now commenced studying for the ACCA, whilst looking to further develop his practical accountancy and management skills.

Kerry Gibson | kerry.gibson@esw.co.uk

Kerry joined esw in September 2021 after spending more than 30 years as an administrator working in commerce.

Kerry brings a wealth of administration experience and is a valued member of the esw team. Her duties include a wide variety of client management tasks, maximising efficiency and enabling our professional staff to concentrate on providing the best possible service to all of our clients.

Rachel Mills | rachel.mills@esw.co.uk

Rachel joined the esw bookkeeping team in 2015 having previously gaining banking experience before working as a bookkeeper within a local accountancy practice for over 12 years.

She manages the bookkeeping requirements for her own portfolio of clients, including preparing VAT returns and CIS returns, whilst also assisting with some of aspects of esw own internal accounting.

Lorraine Pickett | lorraine.pickett@esw.co.uk

Lorraine joined esw in September 2016, after spending 5 years working with Acorn Bookkeeping.

Lorraine works mostly in bookkeeping for a wide range of clients, preparing both CIS and VAT returns, but also provides payroll assistance to both esw and former Acorn clients.

Jenny Bartlett | jennifer.bartlett@esw.co.uk

Jenny joined esw in 2019 as the latest member of the bookkeeping team. She was previously employed as an internal bookkeeper for 10 years and has also worked in Financial Services, during which time she completed the AAT qualification.

Jenny brings extensive experience of all aspects of bookkeeping covering a wide range of clients and accounting packages including Sage, QuickBooks and SAP.

Carly Rowe | carly.rowe@esw.co.uk

Carly joined esw in March 2018 having gained a number of years’ experience running medium to large payrolls before gaining bureau experience.

As a more senior member of the payroll team, Carly assists with the day to day running of the department, in particular the Workplace Pension Schemes, Construction Industry and providing general advice to clients.

Alison Woolford | alison.woolford@esw.co.uk

Alison joined esw in March 2020 having previously gained two years’ experience in payroll and bookkeeping at a practice in Southend. She completed her AAT level 4 in December 2018.

Alison is keen to progress her payroll experience and develop working relationships with esw payroll clients.

Martin Russell | martin.russell@esw.co.uk

Martin joined esw in October 2020 having no previous experience to assist the payroll team during the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially dealing with the submission of furlough claims (and being married to our Payroll Director Jodie!), meant he had to learn fast in a very stressful environment. 

Martin’s confidence grew quickly and he is now a permanent member of the team, assisting with the day to day running of payrolls together with pension management and general administration. 

Leanne Harrison | leanne.harrison@esw.co.uk

Leanne joined esw in October 2011, initially working on reception. Since then her role has developed and she has achieved Level 2 AAT and Level 2 Computerised Accounts.

In 2017 Leanne moved from reception to work within the bookkeeping department. More recently she has also taken on full responsibility for esw’s own internal accounting, which is now the main aspect of her role in the company.

Dione Wark | dione.quinn@esw.co.uk

Dione started her career in banking in the City of London.

Following a break to raise her family she joined esw in 2012, initially working on reception before progressing to office manager.

Dione left esw in May 2018 to assist a close friend with a new venture but returned in July 2022, to take on the role of credit controller.

Kirstie Hayward | kirstie.hayward@esw.co.uk

Kirstie joined esw in November 2023. She has extensive organisational and management experience, including positions as personal assistant to the head partner of a local solicitors and sales consultant for a London recruitment agency. Latterly, Kirstie has successfully ran her own small business, and acted as office manager for a local independent opticians.

Kirstie has a wide range of duties as office manager for esw, and personal assistant to Shane and Steve.

Jess Wright | jessica.wright@esw.co.uk

Jess has spent many years working in a support role within accountancy, and has been a member of the esw team since 2017.

Her strengths lie in organisation and time management and she is experienced in the smooth and efficient running of our reception area, whilst providing administrative support to the team and organising social events. Jess ensures that the office environment is well managed, and prides herself on being welcoming and approachable.

Jess is currently on maternity leave.

Sally Jones | sally.jones@esw.co.uk

Sally joined esw in March 2023, having previously gained over 30 years’ experience in client services and administration for a leading credit card manufacturing company.

Sally’s role is primarily client facing providing a friendly and professional service to clients both on the phone and in person, whilst carrying out a wide range of administrative tasks. Sally enjoys being part of the front of house team and developing relationships with our clients.

Joanne Grover | joanne.grover@esw.co.uk

Joanne joined esw in March 2024 as part of the front of house team, having worked within the banking sector as a customer advisor for some 24 years.

Joanne’s previous customer facing role has given her extensive experience providing a welcoming and friendly service to all of our clients, whilst assisting with other administrative duties.