Meet The Team

Gillian Clarke MAAT Licensed Accountant, Managing Director

In 1998 Gillian set up her own practice with one vision, to enable small businesses to understand their overall financial wellbeing and support them in navigating the complexity that is compliance within the financial arena.

Having started her career learning to support small businesses and then grew to work in a corporate international environment, she was ultimately responsible for setting up budgets across entire organisations, handling complex international transactions and reporting at board level.

It was at this time Gillian found that their problems were similar, whilst the preparation needed to manage monthly accounts, the fast turnarounds required and the importance of using computerised systems seemed to be exclusive to larger companies, strides in technology meant this was now applying to smaller companies and it was easy for SME’s to get left behind in this new fast-paced environment.

Using her extensive experience, Gillian sought to provide a first class service with that personal touch and has built a team around her to achieve these goals and we’re so glad she did!

Gillian says…

“I saw first-hand how important it is, that as owners, we’re happy to get up in the morning and start work and for some, handling this new world of accounting was making that difficult.

Building open and transparent relationships with my clients and ensuring that they feel valued and supported is still what drives me.

It’s not all work though, so when I’m not crunching the numbers, I love to do a spot of gardening and needlework or head to the theatre. I’m also an Arctophilist — an avid teddy bear collector.”

Chris Clarke, Licensed Accountant, Operations Director

After spending over 30 years in corporate managerial roles, Chris joined the practice in 2012 as Operations Director.

Having set and controlled multi-million-pound budgets as well as all other financial aspects including stock control and valuation, cash flow management, controlling expenses and salary budgeting; he had already had a wealth of experience to bring to us and a new dimension and approach to what we offered.

Chris’ robust experience on business planning, assessing competitors and managing change and developed new initiatives, along with coaching and motivating staff means not only is he an asset to our business but he is well placed to help and advise you on yours.

It’s his job (and privilege!) is to ensure that everything we do, from both a functional and service perspective, meets the expectations of you, our customers and he does it really well.

Chris says…

“I share our vision to overcome finance as a taboo subject and ensure that business owners fully understand the impact of their financial decisions and how we can support them in this. Ethics and integrity are our highest priorities and this enables us to help businesses make decisions today that impact their future, positively.

In my spare time, I enjoy watching the cricket and reading up on World War II History. I also quite like public speaking and have been fortunate enough to win some accolades from Toastmasters International UK.”

Numbers know-how: An accountant invented bubblegum. Yep, Walter Diemer, a US accountant who worked for the Fleer Corporation in the 1920s was embroiled in numbers by day and bubblegum by night.

Lizzy Hampton, Administrator and Bookkeeper

Lizzy comes to Accounting Clarkes with a variety of experience from corporate organisations, including Executive/Personal Assistance, Corporate Events and Marketing, Accounts and Bookkeeping. In more recent years, she set up and previously ran a construction company, and brings her knowledge and experience on the dreaded CIS taxation Scheme.

Her role will be assisting the team with all things administrative, bookkeeping and micro accounts to help us continue to run a smooth efficiently organised ship. Bringing her high energy and strengths in multitasking, organisation, alongside her personable skills, will all help us in dealing even more efficiently with our client base, ensuring we receive the information we require in and orderly timeframe. This allows the rest of the team to focus more on the Management Accounting. She is currently training to complete her ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeeping Qualification) Level 2.

When not with us, she runs her own successful business (Look Good Feel Good With Lizzy) as a complementary therapist practising for over 19 years. Lizzy started my holistic journey in 2006 in Thailand where she did her beginner’s Thai massage. From there, she has carried out many courses over the years, including Reflexology, several types of massage, alongside becoming a Reiki Master. She is also a personal stylist consultant for Tortue UK, selling gorgeous sustainable French Fashion from her Treatment Studio/Boutique based in Church Crookham. She loves and believes helping ladies look good helps them feel good.

Lizzy says…

“I’ve lived in Church Crookham, Fleet, for most of my life and I love what the area has to offer. I enjoy nothing more than spending time with my son and blended family, who all love the outdoors and nature, walking, and camping. I’m a regular walker up to Caesar’s Camp, where on a clear day you can see the London skyline.

I have a passion for travelling and visiting new places. Some of my favourite places are the New Forest, Croyde, Italy, Jamaica and Thailand. I also love cooking and eating my favourite foods: Vietnamese, Thai and Jamaican cuisine.

Numbers know-how: Who knew one of the biggest dates on the film calendar, the Oscars, and accountants had so much in common. In 1935, and every year since, a collection of accountants have spent around 1700 hours counting each Academy Award ballot.