Our People
Bob Blencowe - Partner
Bob was educated at the local grammar school, Magdalen College School and then joined the practice after completing his university degree in 1972, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant 1979 and became a partner in 1981.Bob adopts a hands on approach providing tax efficient solutions to everyday and exceptional problems clients have with both income and capital taxes.
During the summer months you will find Bob playing competitive bowls on the green.
Throughout the year Bob takes an interest in all sports played with a ball.
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Ashley Painter - Partner
Ashley joined Blencowes in July 2007 and became a partner in April 2008, he qualified as an Accounting Technician in 1995 he then built on his career by qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 2002 and became a fellow member in 2007. Ashley is also a full member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Ashley has a wide range of accountancy and audit experience gained whilst working in a public practice in and around Northamptonshire, ranging from the preparation of accounts from incomplete records and carrying out the statutory audit for a variety of limited companies.
During his career Ashley has also spent some time within industry at a medium sized company, gaining valuable experience of the financial management of daily operations. This now proves invaluable when advising owner managed businesses.
Ashley also works closely with individuals and businesses reviewing their individual requirements and tailoring tax efficient solutions in accordance with their objectives.
Ashley enjoys competitive sailing during his spare time.
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Rob Blencowe – Partner
Rob joined Blencowes in April 2020, having previously worked at KPMG in technology audit and at Waypoint Partners, a corporate finance firm specialising in creative agencies and technology firms. Whilst at KPMG Rob completed the ACA training and is a qualified Chartered Accountant and member of the ICAEW.
Having studied French and Spanish at university Rob is a keen traveller, especially to Provence where his in-laws live.
At home in Oxford, Rob can mainly be found roaming the local footpaths and country pubs, or feeding his two cats.
Jackie Hemmings - Payroll and Company Secretarial Manager
Jackie joined Blencowes in May 2010, during this period she has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in all payroll matters including the operation of auto-enrolment. Jackie is also responsible for all our corporate secretarial services ensuring our clients statutory company registers are maintained and electronic submissions professionally managed.
Ian Burston – Client Manager
Ian is a Fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants he also holds BA (Hons) in Business Administration. Ian has worked in the public practice since 1998 and has a wealth of experienced to support our clients. Ian currently manages a portfolio of our clients and assists the directors with various taxation and accounting assignments. Ian as experience in dealing with tax computations and planning, management accounts, accounts preparation, audits, VAT and advising clients on a whole range of taxation issues.
Outside of work Ian spends his time with his wife and young children, he enjoys watching his home town football club and going to see his favourite comedians.
Christine Faulkner - Client Manager and Payroll Support
Christine is a qualified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and joined Blencowes in 2013. Christine has a strong back ground in supporting businesses in their accounting records and payroll requirements. She is also heavily involved in the preparation of sole trader, partnership and Statutory Financial Statements. Christine is intent on developing her career and is currently studying towards the Chartered Accountants examination’s.
Outside of the office it would not be unusual to find Christine on the bowling green.
Toni Bott - Client Manager
Toni is a qualified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and joined Blencowes in November 2013. Toni joined us from one of the three principal mid-market accountancy firms where she gained an array of excellent experience working for businesses and charities of various sizes. She is also heavily involved in the preparation of sole trader, partnership and Statutory Financial Statements. Toni is determined to develop her career and is currently studying towards the Chartered Accountants examination’s. Toni has a real flair, commercial acumen and a dynamic approach to our clients.
Outside of the office it would not be unusual to find Toni cooking up a storm in the kitchen and coming up with new recipes.
Lisa Parsons - Client Manager
Lisa is a part qualified member of the Association Of Chartered Certified Accountants and joined Blencowes in September 2015 on a part time basis. Lisa has worked in public practice since 2000 and during this time gained a wealth of experience dealing with family run businesses. Lisa can turn her skills to an array of accounting roles, such as management accounts, VAT Returns, cloud based software, preparing clients personal and corporate tax returns.
Louise Purves – Client Manager
Louise is a Fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and joined Blencowes in November 2015 on a part time basis. Some of Louise’s training was with a large multinational firm of accountants and has worked in public practice since 2002. During these years Louise has gained considerable experience in dealing with corporate and personal taxation affairs.
During Louise’s spare time she enjoys reading and spending quality time with family and friends.
Suzanne Gray – Payroll and Client Support Administrator
Suzi joined the team in April 2017. Suzi has a degree in administration, accounting and finance with a huge amount on knowledge and experience, a valuable member of the team, Suzi manages a portfolio of clients providing a variety of services from Bookkeeping to payroll and VAT.
Outside of the office Suzi likes to go to the gym, she also enjoys watching rugby and wild swimming.
Lesley Lane - Accounts Senior
Lesley Joined the Blencowes team in January 2019, she has been an associate member of the Institute of certified bookkeepers for 19 years. Lesley has previous experience working in an accountancy practice and a wealth of experience dealing with payroll, VAT returns, bookkeeping and management reports using various types of accounting software. She is in the process of gaining her ACCA qualifications.
During Lesley’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, learning to play the piano better, reading and country strolls
Martha Horan – Office Manager
When you phone the office, often the first cheerful voice you will hear will be Martha’s. With a background in Travel and Tourism, Martha spent many years working in the hospitality sector, first as a manager with a well-known restaurant chain, and later as Conference Centre Manager for a local League One football club. Capable and organised, she joined Blencowes in October 2020.
Outside of work, Martha is a dedicated marathon runner! She is currently in training for the London Marathon, having completed the Gosport half-marathon last October in 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Martha loves to bake in her spare time - her speciality is brownies. And, when she is not in the kitchen, she can be found travelling the world. Favourite destinations include America and the Far East. One of her most memorable trips was backpacking round Thailand in 2019 – and her next stop is Australia.
Adwoa Asuman – Trainee Accountant
Adwoa is studying to become a Chartered Accountant under the ICAEW training scheme, having spent two years working in accountancy practice, before joining Blencowes in August 2021.
She grew up in Ghana where she worked as an intern in PwC’s advisory division assisting in the preparation of due diligence and valuation reports for several engagements. Her pet dog Lulu, a Yorkshire Terrier cross, still lives in Ghana.
Adwoa comes from a musical family and learned the piano as a child, overcoming her stage-fright to play in local recitals. She loves a good melody.
In her free time, Adwoa enjoys catching up with family and friends, relaxing in front of the TV or working on jigsaw puzzles.
Occasionally, she will find herself in the gym – but not often!
Jenny Johnston – Client Manager
Jenny joined the team in 2021 and has previous experience working in accountancy practices and management roles. She deals with a range of accounts work including Sole Traders, Partnerships and Companies, together with the preparation of Self-Assessment Tax Returns.
Outside the office Jenny enjoys walking her Miniature Jack Russell, going to the gym, dressmaking, and spending time with her family.
Sarah Robinson – Audit and Client Manager
Sarah is a Fellow member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and a part qualified member of the Association of Chartered Accountants. She has worked in practice since 2007, joining Blencowes in 2015 and brings a wealth of experience with client of all sizes.
Outside of work Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, walking the dog and enjoying the outdoors.
Adam Fairhurst-Groethe – Accounts & Audit Semi Senior
Adam joined the Blencowes team in April 2023. Before joining Blencowes, he spent eight years in the legal sector assisting clients with property transactions, will preparation and estate administration. Adam then made the move to accountancy where he began his career in an Oxford based practice, working with both not for profit and corporate clients. His experience ranges from preparation of statutory accounts, management reports, independent examinations, and audit engagements.
Adam has a degree in Human Biology from Loughborough University and is studying towards his ACCA qualification.
Outside of work, Adam enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and when the sun is out, has been known to go for a run.
Olivia Byrda – Trainee Accountant
Olivia has joined Blencowes in May 2023 and is currently studying for her qualification in accounting with the AAT whilst also working on clients accounts affairs.
In her spare time, Olivia enjoys walking her dog in the Oxfordshire countryside, create art and spend time with her family and friends.
Ben Timms – Trainee Bookkeeper
Ben joined Blencowes in October 2023 and is currently studying for the AAT qualification in bookkeeping while working on client accounts. Prior to this, he worked for a local building company where he dealt with the day-to-day bookkeeping and payroll. Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time with family, reading, volunteering at the local Katherine House Hospice charity shop, and visiting his local pub.
Natasha Naga – Client Manager
Natasha started working in practice back in 2014 after working in industry for over 10 years and joined the team at Blencowes in September 2023. Having worked for one of the big 10 practices and also smaller practices, Natasha Became ACCA qualified in 2018 and specialises in the preparation of sole trade, partnerships, limited companies and charity accounts. Her hobbies include lots and lots of cooking and spending time with her family.
