Paul is Deputy President of CIOT, a former president of ICAEW, a member of HMRC's Administrative Burdens Advisory Board and a regular speaker and writer on tax administration and technology. He was appointed OBE in 2009 and is a Companion of ICB.

Bev Flanagan is a multi-award-winning accountant and business coach with over 30 years' experience in the profession. After building and selling a highly successful, cloud-based accounting practice, she now focuses on mentoring accountants and bookkeepers through her CPD-accredited Elite Accountants Academy and Elite Accounting Community. Bev is known for her straight-talking, empowering approach to helping practice owners increase profits, save time, and build businesses they love. As an international speaker, she shares her knowledge and passion across global stages, inspiring others to step up, take control, and create a business that truly works for them.

Alex Newson is the Chief Revenue Officer at XU Magazine, where he’s been flying the XU flag for over a decade. Known for his ability to bring the right people together, Alex works globally to connect brands, partners, and the Xero community in ways that spark ideas and create lasting value.  From shaping partnerships to crafting campaigns, Alex oversees everything from our quarterly magazine to the biweekly digital editions, ensuring XU’s partners reach the right audience at the right time.  Alex’s focus is on building relationships that matter. Creating opportunities where businesses can grow together, collaborations can thrive, and the accounting and fintech ecosystem can feel a little more connected. Whether it’s on the event floor or behind the scenes, Alex brings energy, ideas, and a genuine passion for helping people connect.

Richard spends his time trying to help software vendors understand, communicate and build better products for accountants and bookkeepers. It's a fun thing to do!

Last year's Large Practice Luca winner.

Helen is the founder of Adder Bookkeeping and an Advisory Council member.  

She grew her business from a start up, expanded to a team and this year, having achieved a successful acquisition, is now part of the Fresh Financials Group.

Graham is the publisher and editor of the multi-award-winning PQ magazine.   He is a member of the HMRC Agent Support Group, and until recently was part of the curriculum advisory team at the University of Winchester, Division of Accounting, Finance and Economics.  Last year awarded the Michael Kintore Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession at the 2024 LUCA awards, and has an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration, BPP University, Dr BA (Hon), and honorary membership of the Association of International Accountants FAIA (Hon).  

Farm Administrator with 25+ years' experience providing support to farming businesses across all areas of administration.

Jordan works at the intersection of marketing, technology, and accounting. He’s the co-founder of Vinyl, an AI meeting note taker built for accounting firms, and Global Director at Journey, a marketing agency dedicated to accounting tech companies. With over a decade of experience working with accounting firms, Jordan is passionate about helping firms grow, connect, and embrace innovation. 

Helen retrained as a bookkeeper, after having her 2 children, achieving qualifications with the ICB & AAT - attaining fellowship with both. She set up her own self-employed bookkeeping business 20 years ago.  She now currently offers bookkeeping & payroll services to a wide variety of clients in her local area. Helen is also part of the ICB Advisory Council & an  IAgSA Council Member.

Chartered accountant, founder of two practices, mother of two human beings, and author of three books. Della Hudson knows her stuff so, in additional to 2 business book awards, she was voted one of Accountancy Age’s ‘Top Women in Finance’. Her passion is to help accountants and bookkeepers to build the business that they first dreamed of so that they have the profitability and work – life balance that they deserve.  Della’s talks and books are based on her experience as an accountant and entrepreneur. She has successfully sold one practice and continues to run Minerva Accountants and Minerva Technology while coaching other accountants, bookkeepers and business owners.  In 2021 Della was made a Companion of ICB in recognition of her support for bookkeepers. Like all accountants she knows what a big difference you make!  You can connect with Della on most social media as Della Hudson FCA or hudsonbusiness.co.uk

Working across multiple sectors and with start-up businesses (and starting a few of his own) have given Dayle a very eclectic skill set. Dayle utilises his experience to support clients to effectively source and implement systems that go beyond the traditional financial & accounting function.    Dayle is a proponent of the 4 Day Working Week and he knows the only way to achieve it is the effective adoption and use of technology.

Jo Wood is an award-winning entrepreneur and former practice owner who built and sold a multi–sixfigure bookkeeping business, Jo Wood Virtual FD. With over two decades in the accounting industry, Jo has been recognised for her leadership, innovation, and her ability to help bookkeepers and 

accountants transform their pricing strategies. Her experience of growing (and exiting) her own firm gives her a unique perspective on what it takes to build a business that works for you, not again you. Today, as cofounder of The 6 Figure Bookkeeper, Jo shares the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts that empower bookkeepers to price confidently, scale sustainably, and create businesses they truly love.