Directors

Richard Dawson FCA

Richard founded Allens back in 1973 and has been here ever since, leading the business from its humble beginnings to where it is now, employing over 40 staff.

With well over 30 years of experience, Richard has great knowledge and genuine expertise in tax and accountancy matters.

Outside of work, Richard is a keen sports fan, particularly enjoying golf, cricket and horse racing. He has seen England facing the West Indies in Barbados on a number of occasions.

Richard is very well known to our clients as he personally conducts accounts review meetings for such a large number of them and enjoys the rapport that that regular contact helps to develop. Richard is married to Pam, who manages our admin department.

E-mail Richard at:   richard.dawson@allensaccountants.com

Simon Leigh FCA, Cert PFS

Simon joined Allens straight from university in 1991.  Inspired by Richard's technical training and passion for client service, Simon became a partner in the firm in 1998.  Since then, Allens have quadrupled in size as a result of delighting clients with unrivalled levels of service.  

In contrast to practice leaders in other accountancy firms, Simon did not graduate from a multi-national practice and thereby more fully understands the ambitions and frustrations of entrepreneurial owner-managers having successfully tackled the same challenges in his own business over the last 10 years.

Simon sees his role as ensuring that Allens are able to offer clients the very best advice at every stage of their business journey and eventual exit.

E-mail Simon at:   simon.leigh@allensaccountants.com

Paul Horrocks ACA, CTA, Cert PFS

Paul has been at Allens since graduating, with a 1st Class Honours degree in Mathematics, in 1996. After becoming a Chartered Accountant in 2000, he also took on the chartered taxation examinations and is a fully qualified Chartered Tax Adviser. In addition to this, he is a qualified Independent Financial Adviser. Paul became at director at Allens in 2002.

Paul specialises in tax planning for owner managed businesses and his areas of expertise include profit extraction planning, research and development tax credits, share reorganisations, EIS/EMI claims, succession planning and share valuations.

Like most at Allens, Paul is a keen sports fan and watches Stockport County at home and away. In fact, as a result of his affiliation with County, Allens have sponsored the odd player in the last few years. He also enjoys playing football and squash.

Paul is married to Emma.

E-mail Paul at:   paul.horrocks@allensaccountants.com

Philip Leah FCA

Phil qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1972, then took a role working at KPMG where he worked until 1975. In 1975, Phil decided to set up his own firm and formed Leahs Chartered Accountants, which he ran as a sole practitioner until 2004 when Leahs merged with Allens.

Phil has extensive experience in dealing with all accountancy and tax issues for small and medium sized businesses.

Outside of work, Phil is a Manchester City season ticket holder, and is a regular on the golf course. He is a long-standing member of Stockport Golf Club.

Phil is married to Linda and has three grown up children.

E-mail Phil at:   philip.leah@allensaccountants.com

Philip Collier FCA

Philip trained at a Manchester firm and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1974. He has been a partner in firms since 1977, including spending 19 years with Proud Goulbourn, who recently merged with Allens.

Philip has extensive experience of advising owner-managed businesses at all stages of the business cycle, from start-up, through business expansion and acquisitions, to exit strategies and inheritance tax planning.

Philip played many sports when he was younger but is now very much an armchair-based enthusiast! He is married to Lynda and has two children, James and Stephanie.

E-mail Philip at:   philip.collier@allensaccountants.com

Ben Furness ACA, CTA, Cert PFS

Ben has been at Allens since graduating, with a 1st Class Honours degree in Mathematics, in 2001. He became a Chartered Accountant in 2004 after achieving second place in the country in his advanced stage examination. A year later, Ben became a Chartered Tax Adviser and subsequently a qualified Independent Financial Adviser. He became a director at Allens in 2007.

Ben specialises in tax planning for owner managed businesses and his areas of expertise include company reorganisations, share restructures and remuneration planning.

Away from the office, he is a keen football fan and now has a season ticket at Manchester United. He is also a qualified referee and sometimes officiates in the Derwent Valley and Rowsley leagues.

E-mail Ben at:   ben.furness@allensaccountants.com

John Sheehan MBA, FFA, MCMI

John set up his first accountancy and business advisory practice in 1989.  He has a wealth of knowledge in many areas, including accountancy, corporate finance and industry, in the UK and abroad.  He assists clients in all sectors and specialises in the purchase and sale of companies, mergers, acquisitions, raising finance from private investors, business angels and other sources.

As well as managing one off projects, John works closely with his portfolio of clients to help them develop their businesses to full potential.

John is married to Jan, and has two daughters.  John has many interests including football and is a keen sailor with a share in a sailing yacht. 

E-mail John at:   john.sheehan@allensaccountants.com

Andy Robertson

After obtaining his degree in economics, Andy joined Allens back in 1998.  Under the tutelage of Richard and Simon, Andy has developed his rounded knowledge of accountancy and tax the Allens way, focusing his energy on small to medium sized businesses, from business start up through to cessation.

Andy is also responsible for the ongoing recruitment and day to day training of new Allens staff, which he views as key to the success of growing and sustaining a successful business.

Outside of work, Andy is a keen follower of Manchester United and whilst he no longer manages to follow United around Europe, he does still make it to Old Trafford on a regular basis.  Andy is also a keen golfer.

E-mail Andy at:   andy.robertson@allensaccountants.com