Andrew Bennett BSc, FCA, CTA, CF Partner

Andrew is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Practitioner and Corporate Finance Practitioner, one of the few professionals in practice with these three distinct qualifications. He joined Rothmans in Winchester in1977 and became a partner in 1983, setting up the office at Chandlers Ford six years later.

Andrew has a broad experience of working with both individuals and corporate clients, particularly owner-managed businesses. His areas of specialisation include acquisitions, business structuring, and both short term and long range planning for individuals and businesses. Andrew’s approach is very much hands-on and he enjoys working closely with his clients to develop financial and taxation strategies.

Andrew lives in Chandlers Ford with his wife and two children and plays Competition Bridge in national events.

Andrew Perriam DChA, FCA, CF Partner

Andrew is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Corporate Finance Practitioner. He has been a partner since 1995, having joined Rothmans in 1991 from a national firm.

Andrew has broad experience, covering a wide range of corporate clients from large listed companies to SMEs, as well as charities. He provides advice and assistance on many areas including, accounts, taxation and general business guidance.

Andrew lives with his family in the New Forest. He takes advantage of the nearby coast for sailing and surfing and also enjoys running.

David Smyth FCA Director

David qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1972, specialising in tax. He takes a close interest in technical tax issues and is a member of the Tax Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

He joined Rothmans in 1988, after relocating to the area from London. David has overall responsibility for tax services and advice in the Chandlers Ford office and has developed a team which has the technical capability to handle a wide range of tax advice for both individuals and commercial organisations.

David has three children and spends as much of his free time as possible sailing and windsurfing.

Carolyn Cox ACA Dip PFS, Partner

As well as being a Chartered Accountant, Carolyn holds high level Financial Planning qualifications. She is able to use the expertise she has in both fields to provide advice that takes into consideration both your business and personal aspirations.

Carolyn advises business owners regarding general financial and tax issues as well as maximising their overall personal financial position. To do so, she uses her in-depth knowledge of tax, together with her expertise in investment and pension planning, which she provides through our sister firm, In Partnership Financial Design Limited.

Richard Showan BA, ACA, ATII Partner

Richard originally taught Geography at secondary school before joining Rothmans in 1981 and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1984.

He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and enjoys developing tax strategies and tax planning schemes to minimise tax liability for both individuals and companies. He has a particular interest in forensic accounting and has acted as an expert witness in personal injury and matrimonial cases.

Richard lives in Fareham and is a rugby union referee in Hampshire.

Charles Cable FCA Partner

Charles qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1987 and was made a partner at Rothmans in1990.

He is a general practice partner and acts for all types of businesses but has a particular specialism in working with solicitors. He has considerable experience also in advising farming and agricultural clients on all financial and tax planning matters.

Coming from a farming background, Charles lives in Berkshire with a variety of animals as his wife is an animal trainer to the TV and film industry. He and his son can very often be found in the local countryside with rod or gun.

James Reilly FCCA Director

James originally trained with Deloitte in Southampton, moving from audit to a general practice role with a similar size firm to Rothmans. He joined Rothmans in 2006 and was made a director in the Fareham office in 2008.

Since qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant James has used his experience and knowledge in assisting owner managed businesses to provide them with accurate and timely management information presented in a format that enables informed decisions to be made.

James spends most of his spare time with his young family encouraging his children from the side lines in their various sporting interests.

James lives in the Meon Valley with his wife and three young children.

Richard Hutchinson FCCA Partner

Richard trained as a Chartered Certified Accountant with a practice in Bournemouth, qualifying in 1996. He moved to the Portsmouth area in 2000 before joining Rothmans in 2004.

Richard has a wide range of general practice experience, dealing with many different business sectors, focusing in particular on the needs of owner-managed businesses. In addition he is responsible for audit and compliance services to some of the firm's largest clients.

Richard is also Secretary of the Southern Society of Chartered Accountants' Technical Advisory Committee, which advises on changes in audit and financial reporting issues as well as reviewing government consultations on tax and company law changes.

Richard lives with his wife in Fareham and is currently fulfilling a childhood ambition by learning to fly.

James Shaw ACA Partner

James qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Rothmans in 1979 and became a partner in 1983.

James is one of the South's leading tax experts. He specialises in private client work for high net worth individuals and technical tax planning for company acquisitions and disposals and he is responsible for the tax affairs of some of Rothmans’ largest clients. James is also the firm's tax investigation specialist having successfully concluded many investigations for the Serious Civil Investigations office.


Living close to the famous Hampshire rivers, James is able to indulge his passion for fly fishing when not working.

Daren Laidlaw ACA Partner


Following his graduation, Daren trained and qualified with a small firm in Fareham before joining Rothmans in 1997 and becoming a partner in 2001.

Daren has considerable general practice experience in owner-managed businesses, where he enjoys a close working relationship advising clients on long-term financial and tax planning on both their personal and commercial affairs. He has also a specialism in handling the UK affairs for foreign-owned subsidiaries, providing the tax and business advice normally only found in larger national firms.

Daren lives in Whiteley with his wife Louise and their three young children. He has recently succumbed to the lure of the water by taking up canoeing and sailing.

Daren works from both the Segensworth and Portsmouth North offices.

Martin Osborne, FCA Partner

Martin has been with Rothmans for 25 years and became a partner in 1986. He trained with an accountancy firm in the Midlands and qualified in 1982. Having gained considerable experience in advising small and medium sized businesses, Martin enjoyed a two-year secondment in Zimbabwe prior to joining Rothmans, where he worked on large international audit assignments.

Although he deals in all aspects of general practice, Martin gets a great satisfaction from ensuring that clients make the most of tax planning and wealth creation opportunities.

He lives in Bishops Waltham with his wife, Helen, and has three children. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys participating in golf, squash and tennis.

Martin works from both the Portsmouth North and Segensworth offices.

Adam Bolger ACCA Director

Adam joined Rothmans in the Portsmouth South office in 1999, qualifying as a Certified Chartered Accountant in 2005 and was appointed to a directorship in 2009.

He works with a wide range of companies but has developed an impressive portfolio of clients in the property and construction sectors whom he advises on a range of financial planning issues.

Adam is married and lives in Portsmouth.

Terry Stocker FCA Partner

After qualifying, Terry joined Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (now KPMG) where he remained for 12 years, working first in Jamaica and then, after a spell back in the UK, in Kuala Lumpur. While overseas he handled audits for both international and local corporations, becoming the company's technical specialist in Malaysia.

On his return, Terry brought his significant experience in working with listed companies to general practice, joining Rothmans in 1983 and setting up the Portsmouth South office in 1994.

As well as working with some of Rothmans' larger clients on tax, auditing, corporate finance and acquisitions and disposals, Terry has attracted a wide range of SMEs to the Portsmouth office as well as developing cost-effective accounting packages aimed at smaller companies.

Terry's early experiences overseas gave him a taste for travel and he and his wife spend as much time as possible diving the oceans of the world.

Brian Corlett FCA Partner

Brian has been in practice at the Ringwood office since 1971 with a client base that covers the whole of the country.

With an emphasis on understanding his clients and their businesses, and a reputation for providing effective financial and tax planning, Brian has established long client relationships, some of which have been in place for over 25 years. In particular Brian has an extensive knowledge of the issues pertaining to construction and related industries.

Brian has lived in Ringwood most of his life which gives invaluable local knowledge and contacts. He is very much part of the local community and he and his family have a close association with the Ellingham and Ringwood Rugby Club.

Sue Sullivan FCA Partner

Sue trained and qualified at Rothmans, becoming a partner in 1987 and opening the Salisbury office in 1990.

She is a general practitioner with a taxation bias and her particular interest is the tax and accounting strategies of owner-managed businesses where personal and company financial issues often blend together. Sue gets great satisfaction in solving clients’ problems and providing help and support, firmly believing that the accountant’s role is to work with their clients to get through the downturns as well as maximising opportunities in a strong economy.

Sue is a keen skier and walker, and is currently adding learning Italian to her achievements.

Martin Osborne, FCA Partner

Martin has been with Rothmans for 25 years and became a partner in 1986. He trained with an accountancy firm in the Midlands and qualified in 1982. Having gained considerable experience in advising small and medium sized businesses, Martin enjoyed a two-year secondment in Zimbabwe prior to joining Rothmans, where he worked on large international audit assignments.

Although he deals in all aspects of general practice, Martin gets a great satisfaction from ensuring that clients make the most of tax planning and wealth creation opportunities.

He lives in Bishops Waltham with his wife, Helen, and has three children. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys participating in golf, squash and tennis.

Martin works from both the Portsmouth North and Segensworth offices.

Daren Laidlaw ACA Partner


Following his graduation, Daren trained and qualified with a small firm in Fareham before joining Rothmans in 1997 and becoming a partner in 2001.

Daren has considerable general practice experience in owner-managed businesses, where he enjoys a close working relationship advising clients on long-term financial and tax planning on both their personal and commercial affairs. He has also a specialism in handling the UK affairs for foreign-owned subsidiaries, providing the tax and business advice normally only found in larger national firms.

Daren lives in Whiteley with his wife Louise and their three young children. He has recently succumbed to the lure of the water by taking up canoeing and sailing.

Daren works from both the Segensworth and Portsmouth North offices.

Simon Elliott FCA Partner

Simon joined Rothmans in 1972, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1980 and becoming a partner in 1986, when he established the Southampton office.

Simon has extensive experience with owner-managed businesses across varied market sectors, working with local, national and international clients. His understanding of his clients’ individual needs and aspirations has enabled him to provide effective and efficient tax and financial strategies. Simon particularly enjoys building close, long-standing working relationships with his clients with emphasis on the personal service, endorsed by the fact that some of his clients have retained his services for over 25 years.

Simon lives in Chandlers Ford with his wife Chris and daughter Kate. He is a keen sportsman with a particular interest in rugby and still plays badminton at least once a week.

Graham Hindley Partner

Graham is a Partner in Sutton. He joined the Sutton office in 1984, grew the business and then merged it with Rothman Pantall in 1996.

Graham has been a Partner for 22 years. He specialises in advising owner-managed businesses. He is a very commercial accountant with a sound background in Audit, accounts preparation, tax planning, business systems and accounting systems such as Sage.

Graham is extremely proactive with his clients and is ready to assist and suggest strategies on projects such as the purchase and sale of businesses, raising finance and assisting businesses that are encountering difficult trading conditions.

He lives in Epsom Downs and is married with two teenage children.

Andy Miller FCA Partner

Andy joined Rothmans in 2002 and became a partner in the Sutton office in 2006.

He enjoys working with owner managed businesses where he can work with his clients not only on the preparation of statutory accounts but also help with forecasting and budgeting and looking at long term strategies to help develop their businesses.

Andy has experience with a range of SME sectors and has also developed a specialism in assisting charities and pension funds.

Andy and his family live close to the office in Banstead and outside work he spends many hours pounding the streets in preparation for his next marathon. To date he has completed six, including London, Berlin and Dublin.

Peter Dawson ACA Partner

Peter qualified with Arthur Anderson as a tax specialist before moving into industry as a tax manager in the oil industry. He returned to accountancy practice in 1984, joining Rothmans and becoming a partner in 1989.

Peter is involved in all aspects of taxation for the firm, both for individuals and commercial enterprises. He has established a reputation for developing challenging and creative strategies for his clients. He has acted as an expert witness for Revenue enquires and he is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Technical Advisory Committee in the south.

Peter is married with five children and lives in West End. Having given up playing football he is an ardent fan and season ticket holder at Southampton Football Club.

Barry Lynch LL.B. (LSE). FCA. Senior Partner


Barry trained as a lawyer at the LSE, before qualifying as a chartered accountant with Stoy Hayward in London,

He moved to Winchester and in 1979 became a partner in Rothmans, since when he has specialised in general practice and corporate matters, particularly tax planning, audit, commercial reorganisations and corporate finance. Barry has a particular interest in charities, family businesses and private client work.

Barry lives in Winchester with his family, and enjoys visiting Europe where he likes to ski and walk in the Alps.

John Poulter FCA, CTA Partner


John began his accountancy career with Rothmans, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1973 and became an Associated Member of the Institute of Taxation in 1975 (now known as the Chartered Institute of Taxation).

John is a general practitioner dealing with personal and business taxation planning, including inheritance tax, VAT, business structures and raising finance. His portfolio of clients includes professionals from the world of television, antiques and medicine as well as a range of small to medium businesses.

Originates from Winchester, John still lives in the city and he is a keen member of the Royal Winchester Golf Club.