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TaxCalc restructures senior management team to accommodate growth

6th Jun 2018
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Acorah Software, suppliers of award-winning accountancy and business software has recently seen a number of changes in the makeup of its management structure as it continues to attract new customers at an increasing rate and establish a reputation as a trusted, go-to brand for UK accountancy practices. 

Steve Checkley, long-time member of the management team and well-known thought leader on MTD, is leaving the business to return to his roots in Accountancy lecturing. At the same time, a number of others have joined the Board of Directors and senior management team to create a broad base of skills that will see the business through its next phase of growth. 

“It feels like we’re both celebrating past achievements and planning for future ones”, said Tracy Ebdon-Poole, owner and CEO. “Steve has been a huge contributor to the business over his 11 years with us, most recently informing our high-level product strategy and acting as our ambassador to the profession. Since he shared his aspirations to return to the world of academia with me some time ago, we chose to line up his eventual departure with some new senior appointments from within the talented team we’ve been developing in-house. With TaxCalc being a family-run company, I’ve always been a very hands-on CEO but, as the business has grown, I’ve increasingly needed a strong team around me and this seemed the perfect time to recognise that more formally.” 

The business has made a handful of promotions to the otherwise family-dominated Board across a wide range of responsibilities. Chief Operating Officer for six years, Simon Guest, a 25-year veteran of the industry, will focus on New Customer Acquisition alongside his existing operational and leadership duties. Simon will now develop his ambassadorial role for the company, seeking out alliance and partnership opportunities to expand TaxCalc’s footprint in the sector further still. Chris Norton has been appointed Head of Innovation. Chris has a background in advertising, branding and commercial strategy, working for the likes of Apple, British Airways, Diageo and Microsoft in his 30-year career. Chris’s role is to champion the company vision and embed a spirit of creative entrepreneurialism in the company’s culture as well as its ongoing product development and brand communications. Craig Parker completes the trio of new Board appointments as Head of Corporate and Social Responsibility. Craig’s focus is both internal and external, promoting well-being, responsible business practices, and community outreach – and in doing so, helping make TaxCalc a destination employer brand with a strong internal culture. 

Simon, Chris and Craig will sit alongside the existing Board members, comprising Tracy Ebdon-Poole (CEO and owner), Kate Webb (formerly Kate Ebdon-Poole), Adelle GriffithAlex Rado and Andrew Webb. As CEO, Tracy remains at the helm of the company, drawing on her thirteen years as founder and steward of TaxCalc’s success - as well as her roots in high-growth, entrepreneurial business, including her tenure as MD of Dyson. Kate Webb, Tracy’s daughter has been with the company since the beginning, and oversees events and marketing operations. Adelle Griffith has been at Tracy’s right-hand from start-up and uses her considerable knowledge and experience of the company to lead the Human Resources side of the business, working with the Head of HR on legal, talent recruitment, retention and development. As Chief Creative Officer, Alex Rado leads the creative and brand communications output across all digital, print and broadcast media, bringing creative talent and experience gained at some of London’s top design and advertising agencies. Coming from FTSE 100 listed facilities provider Mitie and media giant Sky, Andrew Webb heads up TaxCalc’s Support and Customer Care team, often referred to as the jewel in TaxCalc’s crown for delivering an unrivalled post-purchase customer experience, resulting in exceptionally high levels of customer retention. 

The last year has also seen leadership appointments in Product Ownership, Product Development and Customer Service, all of which position the company to execute its ambitious growth plans whilst maintaining its renowned customer experience. 

“We have a very clear vision to be the number one trusted brand in our sector and a strategy to continue our game-changing ways. These key appointments strengthen our core from a technical and human resource perspective, which in turn frees us to continue to delight our customers and disrupt the marketplace with innovative thinking and products. We are not an ordinary software house. We do things differently, that’s what sets us apart.

 

Tracy Ebdon-Poole. 

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