Date posted: 3rd Mar 2025
Clive Owen LLP, one of the North’s leading independent accountancy and business advisory firms, has embarked on an exciting new chapter in its 42-year history after announcing a seamless transition in leadership.
Experienced and longstanding Partners Simon Hook and Kevin Shotton will take on the role of Joint Managing Partners as Gary Ellis, who has overseen a hugely successful period at the firm over the last four years, steps down as Managing Partner.
Gary will remain with Clive Owen LLP and continue to contribute as an integral member of its Management Committee.
After joining the firm in January 1996, Gary established the practice’s Durham office a year later and has been instrumental in its success, before taking on the role of Managing Partner in 2021.
During his tenure as Managing Partner, the firm’s headcount has grown from 100 colleagues to almost 150, during which time it launched two new offices, in Middlesbrough and Newcastle, significantly expanding the practice’s geographical reach.
Under Gary’s leadership, the firm achieved several accreditations and fostered a people-first culture through the introduction of a series of initiatives to support and promote sustainability, employee wellbeing and training and development, including:
- Becoming Great Place to Work accredited, highlighting the firm’s commitment to fostering an outstanding experience and inclusive culture for colleagues
- Similarly, achieving Good Business Charter status, in recognition of achieving commitments towards responsible business practice
- Being one of only a few firms to be recognised as an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Climate Champion
- The development of bespoke training programmes for colleagues to support individual growth and career progression
- The introduction of the firm’s innovative 9-day fortnight, which involves working slightly longer hours over nine days to have the tenth working day off
Simon, who has been at Clive Owen LLP for more than 20 years, started out as a trainee and qualified with the firm in 2004 before becoming a Partner in 2013. He acts as the Finance Partner for the firm and is heavily involved in the running of the business.
Kevin was also a trainee and qualified with the practice in 2005, before spending some time at a Big Four firm, returning to Clive Owen LLP in 2012 as a Director. He became a Partner in 2015 and has been responsible for the firm’s Audit compliance.
Gary Ellis said: “Being part of this amazing firm and its evolution over the last 29 years has been a massive honour, and it has been an immeasurable privilege to lead our incredible team these past four years.
“Clive Owen LLP is a strong, independent practice which is recognised as one of the leading firms of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors in the North, and I am immensely proud of everything that we have collectively achieved. We have built a robust growth strategy that has enabled us to increase our market presence, expand geographically and invest in our people and services, paving the way for continued success, and I look forward to continuing supporting the ambitions of the firm as a member of our Management Committee.
“The firm is in excellent hands with such a fantastic, vibrant Partner group, who I am confident will continue to thrive under the stewardship of Simon and Kevin, both of whom possess considerable experience and leadership qualities. It has been a pleasure to have witnessed first-hand Simon and Kevin’s progression from trainees to leaders of the firm, which is testament to their abilities as well as the positive impact of investing in our people and fostering talent from within, a philosophy that has shaped our culture and remains a key part of Clive Owen LLP’s success.”
Simon Hook and Kevin Shotton said: “It is a great privilege and honour to have been appointed as Joint Managing Partners of the firm, and we will strive to build on Gary’s legacy, who has led the firm through a hugely successful period.
“Joint managing partners are becoming increasingly common in professional services, reflecting a shift toward collaborative leadership in the modern workplace. By combining our diverse expertise and perspectives, together with the existing, experienced Partnership Group and Management Committee, the firm is well-positioned for continued success through a collective commitment to develop our people, drive forward our sustainability agenda as a certified Great Place to Work and deliver an excellent service to clients.
“Our people-first culture and values-led approach will stand us in good stead in this next chapter for Clive Owen LLP, and we are both excited by what the future holds for the firm.”
Founded in 1983, Clive Owen LLP has grown from a small operation with just one partner into a dynamic firm with almost 150 colleagues. The firm prides itself on delivering multi-disciplinary expertise while maintaining a reputation for personal, client-focused service.
