Our Management Team

Steven Pincott

Position: Managing Partner

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: spincott@apc-accountants.co.uk

Qualifications: Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and Fellow of the Association of Taxation Technicians

I have been with the firm since 1999 and joined the management team in 2009. I led the team that completed a management buyout of the company in 2020 and I am now managing partner.

My speciality is looking at the structure of clients’ businesses and personal tax affairs, identifying all the options that are available and recommending the best one for the client. This can often save the clients thousands of pounds of tax per year.

I generally look after the firm’s larger and more complex clients, including individuals that own multiple companies, groups of companies and companies that require an audit.

I would like anyone that doesn’t believe that they have a great accountant to come and have a free consultation with the team at ApC.

Nicki Kerry

Position: Partner

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: nkerry@apc-accountants.co.uk

Qualifications: Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

I qualified with the firm in 1999 having trained locally beforehand. I have gained experience in audit, accounts, large to small companies, taxation, Academies and unincorporated entities.

I have spent many years building working relationships with clients and currently look after a large portfolio of clients ranging from, rental properties, unincorporated entities, small to large companies and Multi Academy Trusts.

I am aware of how daunting the regulation surrounding modern day business can be, I enjoy supporting clients through the challenges and rewards of running a business. Whether that be from business start-up, adding value, to managing challenges faced by many established businesses, drawing on the experience I have gained working with a wide range of clients. I get great satisfaction seeing businesses thrive and grow and being an integral part of that journey.

Leighton Sharp

Position: Partner & Responsible Individual

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: lsharp@apc-accountants.co.uk

Qualifications: FCCA, MAAT

Leighton works with business owners who need clear, practical advice on their accounts, tax position, audit requirements and wider financial decisions.

With over 20 years' experience in practice, including a top 20 firm background, he combines strong technical knowledge with a commercial understanding of the challenges faced by owner-managed businesses, growing companies and groups.

As a Partner and Responsible Individual at ApC, his role includes responsibility for audit quality and technical standards, while also supporting clients across accounts, tax, reporting and business advisory matters. The focus is on helping clients understand what their figures are really telling them, identify risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions with confidence.

Clients benefit from advice that is practical, straightforward and tailored to their circumstances. This includes support with tax planning, group structures, accounting disclosures, audit and reporting requirements, business systems and more complex or unusual areas, including cryptoasset reporting and taxation.

There is also a strong focus on technology, automation and data, including how these developments are changing financial management, compliance and the accountancy profession. This helps ensure clients receive advice that is not only technically sound, but also reflects the way modern businesses operate.

The aim is always the same: clear, practical advice that helps clients understand where they stand and what to do next.

Matthew Higginson

Position: Partner

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: mhigginson@apc-accountants.co.uk

Qualifications: Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

I joined ApC in 2006 and enjoyed many years experience of preparing and auditing accounts across a variety of industries and sectors before joining the management team in 2017.

Since then, I have worked closely with other members of the management team to deliver the ApC services and honing my client management skills and ability to identify potential tax savings for clients.

I generally look after clients of a small nature (up to £5million turnover) whether sole trader, partnership or limited company. But also have a wealth of experience looking after clients within the charity and academy sectors.

What I enjoy most about my role is finding a solution to a problem, whether it is a client trying to maximise profits whilst reducing tax, or finding solutions to general business problems to help the firm and clients thrive in a challenging business environment.

Louise Sparkes

Position: Practice Partner (non-fee earner)

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: lsparkes@apc-accountants.co.uk

I joined the firm in 1986 as an apprentice and over the years I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge of the business and our clients through my roles as secretary and PA to the managing director.

I was part of the management team that went through a management buyout when the previous managing director resigned.

I was promoted to practice manager in 2018 and then practice partner (non-fee earner) in 2022. I now manage all aspects of the administration side of the business, HR, and recruitment.

Nicola Divine

Position: Manager

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: ndivine@apc-accountants.co.uk

Qualifications: Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

I have been in the accountancy industry since 2001 and qualified in 2010. I gained my knowledge of accounts, audit and taxation, working in practices in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

I am part of the management team and currently look after a portfolio of clients including owner managed limited companies, sole traders, partnerships. I am fully able to support and advise clients through the ever-changing world of accounting and tax, including tax saving advice, build working relationships with clients, and assist clients with the common problems that they may face.

Spencer Garratt

Position: Junior Client Manager

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: sgarratt@apc-accountants.co.uk

Qualifications: Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians

Spencer joined ApC in October 2006 and is ACCA qualified, with many years’ experience supporting sole traders, SMEs, partnerships, limited companies and clients in specialist sectors including academies, charities and solicitors.

His role includes working closely with clients across accounts, tax and day-to-day business matters, helping them stay compliant, understand their figures and make informed decisions with confidence. This includes managing a portfolio of sole trader and SME clients, as well as supporting one of the firm’s partners with a wider client base.

Clients benefit from clear communication, practical advice and an approachable service. Whether dealing with year-end accounts, tax queries, compliance deadlines or day-to-day business issues, the focus is on explaining matters in plain English and providing support that is reliable, well-informed and relevant to each client’s circumstances.

He also supports the wider ApC team on tax matters affecting client portfolios, including personal tax, benefits in kind, capital gains tax, trusts and employee-related securities.

Michele Blinkhorn

Position: Senior Accountant

Telephone: 01623 657111

Email: mblinkhorn@apc-accountants.co.uk

Qualifications: Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians

I joined ApC in 2016 after leaving school and became ACCA qualified in 2024.

I am a member of the accounts and audit department completing management accounts, year end accounts, audit and personal tax.

I manage a portfolio of clients including sole traders, subcontractors and property rentals, whilst assisting other partners with their portfolios and ad hoc assignments.

What I enjoy most about my role is completing regular management accounts work because it allows me to get to know the business and provides the client with up to date information which allows them to plan and make decisions, this experience has allowed me to provide my clients with the business knowledge I have gained.