Coventry accountancy firm gearing for growth after ambitious appointment
A Coventry accountancy firm is primed to embrace the many benefits of AI after making a forward-thinking addition to its audit team.
Demsey Slater took up a Director role at Spencer Gardner Dickins at the start of December, bringing with him two decades of invaluable industry experience.
Having risen to the rank of Director and Partner in his most recent position, Demsey’s appointment is something of a coup for Spencer Gardner Dickins and put the icing on a hugely successful 20th anniversary year for the business.
“This opportunity really stood out to me and wasn’t one I could really say ‘no’ to,” the Coventry-born accountant said.
Implementing AI-driven efficiencies and staying ahead of the technological curve will be central to Demsey’s role. And he fully expects his new colleagues to be right behind his progressive approach.
“I’m very pro-change if it benefits the organisation,” he said. “In ten years’ time, technology wise, we’ll be in a completely different landscape to where we are now. Especially in the audit space, there’s a lot of data analytics and we’re seeing that more and more.
“The information AI can process at lightning speed is phenomenal and it is now forming part of professional studies with the likes of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) now including data analytics in their syllabus’ as the trainees are coming through.
“Historically, there might have been some blockers to adoption whereas now, with people coming through who are studying it, they’re just familiar with it. That means my job, trying to implement this, is going to be a lot easier.
“I’ve worked at a number of different firms of different sizes. I’ve built a lot of knowledge about how to do things well and I hope to instil that in the team.”
Demsey, who was only 21 when he achieved his professional ACCA qualification, will strengthen an audit team already brimming with expertise and experience following the arrival in 2024 of Steven Mugglestone as Associate Director.
Martin Chapman, Director at SGD, said: “We’re delighted to have someone of Demsey’s calibre and reputation join us.
“Being able to attract such talent shows how far we have come as a business and how attractive a proposition working at SGD has become.
“We expect Demsey’s methods to bring about real efficiencies, which is fantastic for us as a business and our clients too.”
Demsey is confident he is well placed to move onwards and upwards by winning new business and cultivating the strong client relationships already in place at SGD, based at Coventry Innovation Village.
Demsey added: “We’re not trying to grow too quickly too soon, but growth is inevitable as I feel we can adopt most clients into SGD. It’s an exciting time not only for the business, but the market as a whole.
“We’re really delivering great client service because of our vastly experienced and client focused team. I’m excited to be on the SGD bus during this time of upwards transition.”
