The Team

Peter Cannon Director. Specialisms: Audit, Business Planning. Email: peter@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Peter graduated in Economics and Business Studies at Aberystwyth University, where he met his wife Louise - a Welsh-speaking English teacher.

Having trained with a seven-partner firm in London, Peter qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1975 and a Chartered Tax Adviser in 1978. In 1981 he moved to the High Wycombe office of a national firm and became a partner in 1982. He left in 1992 to form Cannon Moorcroft with James.

A generalist, Peter is particularly experienced in business start-ups, raising finance and all aspects of the development of small and medium sized enterprises. Outside interests include: Walking, boating and currently restoring a Welsh Long House for holiday letting.

James Moorcroft Director. Specialisms: Tax, Business Advice, Expert Witness. Email: james@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

James was educated at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe. He obtained a degree in Business Administration from the beautiful city of Bath.

Following a sound audit and accounts training James became a Chartered Accountant in 1984. He then joined a top twenty firm, where he began to specialise in tax, becoming a Chartered Tax Adviser in 1986. In May 1987 he joined another top 20 practice as Tax manager. There he worked with Peter Cannon for five years before accepting the challenge to form Cannon Moorcroft.

Special skills include Tax planning and problem-solving; Trust work; business development advice to new & established trading companies; information technology within the accountancy arena. Outside interests include: amateur dramatics; film; music, script-writing and more recently, dancing.

 Douglas Simmen Director. Specialisms: Audit & Accounts Email: doug@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Douglas is originally from Blackburn and studied Physics at Manchester University. Following graduation in 1985 he started accountancy training in Manchester with Ernst & Young. After a spell in industry at Manchester and Heathrow airports Douglas returned to work in audit and accounts for two large accountancy firms in Wycombe.

In 1990 an opportunity arose to specialise in tax with a local firm. Redundancy beckoned in 1991 so he decided to 'paddle his own canoe' as a self-employed accountant. Douglas has worked with Cannon Moorcroft since the practice began in 1992, taking on the role of audit/accounts manager in 1998, progressing to associate in 1999 and to partner in 2000.

Golf and tennis are Douglas' regular sporting activities. He also has a keen interest in cars and especially 'classic cars' and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Jim Curtis Director. Email: jim@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Jim qualified as a Chartered Accountant longer ago than he cares to admit! After several years in Brussels working for Price Waterhouse and sampling the best of European life, Jim settled in High Wycombe and was chief accountant of a major firm of international consulting engineers for nine years. He made a half move back towards the profession as Partnership Secretary and administration manager for a London firm of Chartered Accountants.

By 1991 the challenge of starting his own practice with the advantage of working close to home was too attractive. James Curtis and Co grew to the point where it was advisable to find more resources in order to improve client service and it was natural to join with friends in 2002 to form Cannon Moorcroft Curtis Limited. Jim is happy that the vast majority of his clients have made the move with him, and is enjoying the opportunity to share the workload! In his spare time Jim is chair of governors of a school for children with learning difficulties. Other interest include church and music, and he shares Doug's great interest in cars.

Robin Wallhouse Consultant. Email: robin@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

A long-standing fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Robin formed his own business in 1975, following a time overseas and in merchant banking.

Although he moved office on occasions, Robin's practice has always been based in the Wycombe area, latterly in Holmer Green.

Robin decided to take his well-earned retirement in June 2007 but continues to visit the CM office and has some ongoing responsibilties for clients as well as acting as consultant in areas such as personal investment advice, profit and cashflow forecasting and audit work, particularly in relation to Charities.  

Martin Ashcroft Director. Email: martin@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Martin was born in New Jersey, USA but as his accent will testify he was educated at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School in Lancashire. He obtained a degree in Finance and Accounting from Salford University.

He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1992 and has been a partner in two successful firms of Accountants based in the City of London. In January 2007 the desire to escape from central London and take up a new challenge prompted him to join Cannon Moorcroft.

Martin has always been in general practice offering a full range of accounting, tax and business advice to enterprises ranging from sole traders and professional partnerships to public limited companies.

Outside interests include : playing cricket, golf and all racquet sports; listening to and playing music (tenor saxophone or guitar) ; fell-walking and canoeing.

Lesley Miller Tax Manager. Email: lesley@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Lesley was educated at Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, Northumberland. She was delighted to leave school at 16 and went to work for a national firm of accountants, starting off as the office junior and working (and studying) her way up the ladder!

After moving to a top 20 firm of accountants, Lesley qualified with the Chartered Institute of Taxation in May 1993. She worked for a large independent accountancy firm in the North East before moving down to the South East following her marriage. Lesley joined the Cannon Moorcroft team as Tax Manager in May 1996.

Outside interests include travelling and reading and she has recently taken up painting. Another occupation has been motherhood, which restricts Lesley's working days to Mondays and Tuesdays at the present time.

Elizabeth Lewis Director. Email: elizabeth@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Elizabeth was born and brought up in the Rhondda Valley in south Wales.

She ‘fell’ into the profession after attending an accountancy government training course as a result of friends saying ‘why don’t you do this – you might like it!’. She did like it and consequently took it a bit further, eventually qualifying and becoming a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.

Following a move to High Wycombe due to a change of job for her husband, Elizabeth worked for many years in a local firm of chartered accountants. After working for a short time in another firm in Aylesbury. Elizabeth decided to start her own business. What! Her husband says – you have no clients. A small problem Elizabeth replied, and promptly went out to search for clients, eventually achieving a substantial client base. 

As part of CM, Elizabeth provides services for all types of clients. This includes personal, corporation tax and VAT advice as well as assistance with accounting packages, typically Sage, Quick Books and MYOB. Having been a sole practitioner, Elizabeth has personal experience of the opportunities and problems of starting, growing and managing a small business.

Outside interests include reading, keep fit, travel and wine tasting

Alison Simmen Accounts/Audit Senior. Email: alison@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Alison was born and bred in South London. She attended a girls' day school in London and continued her education at Sheffield University. Having gained a degree and a Yorkshire accent she started her accountancy training with one of the 'big 8' firms and worked on audit and accountancy assignments in the North and South of the country. Back South (and minus accent) Alison joined a smaller practice gaining further experience in audit and tax (and meeting James Moorcroft into the bargain).

After a spell as audit manager in another local practice, Alison started working with Cannon Moorcroft in 1994, on the more technical accounts and audit assignments. After hours Alison can be found in the gym or swimming pool and latterly on the golf course! Spotting that she was in serious danger of becoming a 'golf widow' she decided to take up the game herself - look out Doug!

Olga Holtom Role: Accounts senior. Email: olga@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Olga stems from Russia and came to England in 1996 on marrying her English husband. Olga is an accounts/tax senior, currently awaiting the results of her final Certified Chartered Accountancy examinations.

She is responsible for the preparation of accounts of limited companies, sole traders and partnerships as well as dealing with the various Corporation Tax and Personal Tax aspects.

Having previously split her time between Robin and another professional firm, CM were delighted when in April 2005 Olga agreed to work full time in the newly enlarged firm.

 Denise Hunt Corporate Tax Manager. Email: denise@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Denise started work in a local general practice in 1980 and qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 1988. Over the years she has worked at various practices and worked her way up to being a manager. She also spent two years working in the tax department of a medium sized firm.

Denise has considerable experience of accounts, Corporate and Personal taxation, as well as VAT. Denise spends her spare time dealing with the accounts for her husband's business, working on a complete refurbishment of her house, holidays, yoga and, occasionally, Ceroc dancing (which, for those who don't know, is French Jive).

 Marina Legge Audit and Accounts Portfolio Manager. Email: marina@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Marina started work in 1990 in general practice. After a varied career in industry and local government she returned to general practice in 1996. She passed her exams in February 1999 and was admitted as a member of the Associated of Chartered Certified Accountants in May 1999.

Marina has been working part time since February 2000 whilst bringing up her two children. Most of her experience is with small owner managed businesses although she has dealt with some larger organisations as well.

Most of Marina’s spare time is spent with her family, although she does enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles when she gets the time!

Frances Wells Administrator. Email: frances@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

You may still find Frances holding the fort on the reception desk or at the other end of the telephone, though she is increasingly involved in administrative work away from the reception desk. She is generally to be spotted on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Frances joined the company in March 2002 following a varied career in the FMCG industry.

Originally from London, Frances is delighted that her children and grandchildren now live close by and she is able to enjoy being part of the extended family. As a keen cricket supporter, in winter she often tracks down the England team to some sunny part of the globe and, in addition to travelling, includes walking, swimming, theatre, wining and dining amongst her preferred pastimes.

Margaret Bartlett Payroll Manager. Email: margaret@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Margaret grew up in Perth, Western Australia but came back to England as a teenager. After travelling back and forth she eventually settled in West London, working for a computer company, in the payroll department. From the City office she also worked as a Branch Accountant and Fixed Asset Analyst before leaving to start a family.

In 1996 when Jasmine was 4 and Ashleigh 3, the family moved to Buckinghamshire. Margaret then worked with her previous employer for the next six years. In 2003 she joined Cannon Moorcroft, completing a full circle, since her first ever job was with a Chartered Accountant. After work Margaret enjoys jogging, cooking and mosaicing, when time allows.

Claire Holmes Administrator / Receptionist. Email: claire@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Claire was born in Pembury, Kent (Maid of Kent) and lived there until joining the Army at the age of 18. She served in the Army for 6 years, living in Germany, many bases in the UK, Kenya, and the Falkland Islands (after the war).

On leaving the Army, Claire joined the Territorials. Subsequently she lived in Jersey, Norfolk, Sussex and finally Buckinghamshire. Claire enjoys languages and has some spoken/written knowledge of French, Spanish, German, Russian. She is a part-time piano teacher . A member of RSPB (Twitcher) and The Sherlock Holmes Society of London.

 Celia Correy Administrator / Receptionist. Email: celia@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Her parents originally emigrated from St Vincent in the Caribbean in the early 60s, though Celia herself was born and bred in High Wycombe.

Prior to having a family, Celia's work experience covered Recruitment Consultancy to Office Management. However, after having her 1st son she gained employment as a part-time PA for a Principle Financial Adviser which continued for 6 years. When that company closed their offices in High Wycombe, Celia was made redundant and decided to stay at home with her second child until he started school. 

Although most of her spare time is spent with her family, Andrew her husband, and their sons Tom aged 9, and Joe 4, Celia enjoys swimming, going to the cinema, and dining out – not necessarily in that order! She believes in a ‘me’ time and would highly recommend it to anyone! Celia joined Cannon Moorcroft in March 2007 as administrator (job-sharing) working Tuesdays and Fridays, and has already spent her first 6 months salary on her ‘me’ time.

 Matt Bass Accounts Senior. Email: matt@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Originally from Ipswich, young Matt ‘went west’ to the Promised Land of Oxford in 2000. He studied Accounting and Finance and Environmental Policy at Oxford Brookes University, graduating in 2003 after narrowly surviving the perils of student life. Loathe to go back to the farm, Matt stayed in Oxford and went into practise qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant in February 2007. Matt joined Cannon Moorcroft after a spring spent rediscovering the joys of student life while taking a hard earned career break. Outside work Matt spends lots of time partaking in interests such as fishing, keeping fit, playing golf badly, go-karting, writing and following anything which vaguely resembles a sport.