The Team

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

Peter graduated in Economics and Business Studies from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth where he met his wife.

His eldest son is a playwright and the youngest is a Registered Architect so there's no danger of accusations of nepotism in CM!

Having trained with a seven-partner firm in London Peter qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1975 and as 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 and all aspects of the development of small and medium sized enterprises. Outside interests include walking, swimming and when the opportunity arises, boating. In recent years he has helped convert a derelict barn in Ceredigion into a holiday letting venture.

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.

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.

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

Elizabeth was brought up in the Rhondda Valley in south Wales. She ‘fell’ into accountancy after attending a government training course as a result of friends saying ‘why don’t you do this – you might like it!’. She did, and took it further, eventually qualifying and becoming a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.

Her husband's job brought her to High Wycombe, where she worked for many years in a local firm of chartered accountants. After a short time at a firm in Aylesbury, Elizabeth decided to start her own business. What? Her husband said – you have no clients! A small problem she replied, and promptly went to search for clients, eventually achieving a substantial client base. 

Elizabeth provides accountancy and tax advice to all types of business as well as assistance with accounting packages. 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.

Jim Curtis  Consultant.

After an early career in Brussels with Price Waterhouse, Jim returned to High Wycombe to a firm of consulting engineers then became Partnership Secretary for a London firm of Chartered Accountants.

In 1991 he embraced the challenge of starting his own practice. James Curtis and Co grew until it seemed natural to expand resources and join with friends at Cannon Moorcroft. Unexpectedly six more years followed before Jim finally adopted the mantle 'retired' in April 2008. Since you can't keep a good man down, Jim is sometimes still seen around the office undertaking special projects.

Robin Wallhouse Consultant.  

Robin formed his own business in 1975, following a time overseas and in merchant banking.Though he moved office on occasions, his practice has always been based in the Wycombe area.

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.

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 currently restricts Lesley's working days to Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

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!

 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. 

Marina qualified in February 1999 and was admitted as a member of the Associated of Chartered Certified Accountants in May 1999. Most of her experience is with small owner managed businesses although she has dealt with some larger organisations too, in particular in an internal audit capacity..

Matt Bass Audit and Accounts Portfolio Manager. 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 practice, 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.

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.

Sharon Dell Payroll Operator. Email: sharon@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Sharon para 1)

Sharon para 2) 

Sharon para 3)

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 Principal Financial Adviser which continued for 6 years. When that company closed their offices in High Wycombe, Celia decided to stay at home with her second child until he started school. 

Although most of her spare time is spent with her husband Andrew and family, 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.

Mahroof Ahmed Accounts Trainee. Email: mahroof@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Mahroof graduated in 2006 from Kings College London, faculty of Computer Science. 

Just when he thought that was the end of exams, a close comrade persuaded him to take the AAT Technician course and exams. One thing led to another until Mahroof joined Cannon Moorcroft in early 2008 with the AAT qualification under his belt.

 Currently, as a trainee, Mahroof works closely with Matt. He hopes to start yet more exams in accountancy (there appears to me no end to them!).

Outside work Mahroof leads a less pressured life. He is an ardent footballer and sportsman, in particular badminton and squash and enjoys spending time with friends.  

 Jackie Finn Admin / Payroll / Reception. Email: jackie@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Jackie was born in Windsor where she worked for 18 years: 13 as a secretary/PA for an insurance broker. After moving to High Wycombe in 1997 she took 7 years off to bring up her family and take exams in IT to update her skills.

She has worked for Elizabeth Lewis for 2 years in administration and payroll.

She spends most of her spare time with her husband and children (2 nearly teenage boys and their older sister). Most evenings and weekends are spent watching the boys do a vast array of sport but she also enjoys picnics, meals out and the cinema.

Mark Barrett Accounts Trainee. Email: mark@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Mark was born in the far flung north of our isles in Inverness, growing up in Nairn, a small Highland town on the Moray Firth often referred to as the Brighton of the North. (Mark has since commented after being to Brighton, that this isn't entirely accurate!)

Mark was educated at Nairn Academy, and recently has been working toward his AAT Technician qualification. Mark has a rich and varied experience of working with small businesses, almost entirely within management roles. Mark also has experience in running his own business and therefore has an intimate understanding of the opportunities and problems faced by small business owners.

Mark joined Cannon Moorcroft in May 2008 as a tax and accounts trainee, looking for a change in career. He is looking forward to continuing his studies towards the ACCA qualification soon.  

Riz Hussain Accounts Trainee. Email: riz@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Rizwan was born and bred in High Wycombe. He educated from the Cressex Community School before moving to John Hampden Grammar School to complete his A levels. He graduated from the University of Birmingham in August 2007 with a BSc degree in Accounting and Finance.

Rizwan Joined Cannon Moorcroft in June 2008 as a tax and accounts trainee. He hopes to start his ACCA studies soon.

His interest out of work includes sports (Football and Badminton). He also has a keen interest in Islamic Finance.  

Steve Clarkson Accounts and Tax Assistant. Email: steve@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Steve was born and brought up in Amersham, and now lives in Penn. He went to school both in Amersham and Berkhamsted.

Steve started working life as a ‘Banker’ for 15 years before moving into Insurance. He diversified further when, in 1992, he started working part-time for Robin Wallhouse. When Robin's practice became part of the CM stable in 2005, Steve came as a (welcome) part of the 'package'.

In 2008 with the Insurance connection finally severed he turned to accountancy full time, splitting that time between CM and another local firm.

His spare time is spent on holidays, walking, golf, gym and the rare attempt at Ceroc.  

Larissa Plumridge Accounts Assistant. Email: larissa@cannonmoorcroft.co.uk

Larissa was born in Radnage, Bucks and was brought up surrounded by horses. She went on to train the county pony games team, competing the length and breadth of the UK, and several times to compete in Germany.

She studied Business & Finance at Agricultural College and went on to work as an administrator predominantly in the farming community and several small builders. She retains close farming connections today.

Larissa's accounting expertise extends to the use of Quickbooks and other accounting packages.

With one young daughter she is firstly a family girl with interests in the countryside and as an equestrian spectator.