Welcoming Our New Team Members – At DonnellyBentley, we take pride in not just what we do, but in who we are. Our team is the heart and soul of our business, and we’re always excited to bring fresh talent on board. With this in mind, it’s time to introduce our newest team members! They bring with them enthusiasm, unique skills, and the drive to make a difference for our clients.
Each of them has a fascinating journey and a passion for what they do, so without further ado, let’s meet Matthew, Josh, Shannon, Pellagia, and Gillian.
Welcoming Our New Team Member: Meet Matthew – Accounts
Matthew joined DonnellyBentley in August 2024 as a trainee accountant, fresh from completing his A-Levels. He’s one of the newest faces in our Accounts team and is working hard to build his career, studying for his ACA qualification.
What Does Matthew Do?
Matthew is involved in preparing year-end accounts and management accounts, helping our clients keep their finances in top shape. He’s enthusiastic, eager to learn, and ready to grow in the accounting profession.
What’s Matthew Like Outside of Work?
Football is a big part of Matthew’s life. He’s a dedicated Liverpool supporter, but football in his family is always interesting since his dad is an Everton fan. Derby days, as you can imagine, come with their share of friendly banter! When he’s not watching football, you’ll find him in the gym, staying active.
What Else is Matthew Passionate About?
- Bucket List: One day, he’d love to travel around Australia in a campervan, taking in the sights of this incredible country.
- Favourite Place: Lake Como, Italy – a place he describes as “absolutely beautiful.”
- Favourite Food: Pizza! A classic choice, and who can blame him?
- Must-Have: Matthew can’t get through the day without Spotify – music fuels his productivity.
Welcoming Our New Team Member: Meet Josh – Tax
Josh brings a wealth of experience to DonnellyBentley, with over 10 years of tax expertise under his belt. He’s primarily focused on working with Directors and shareholders of Owner Managed Businesses, providing a broad range of tax advice for both their business and personal affairs.
What Does Josh Do?
In his role, Josh is all about ensuring our clients receive the best possible tax advice tailored to their needs. His specialism lies in helping Owner Managed Businesses, but he started his career providing tax services to Barristers and their families. Josh’s knowledge, paired with his ATT and CTA qualifications, makes him a key player in the Tax team.
What Keeps Josh Busy Beyond Work?
When he’s not at the office, Josh loves staying active. You’ll find him at the gym, going for a run, or playing football. Exercise helps him stay sharp and ready to tackle complex tax challenges.
More About Josh:
- Bucket List: Josh’s dream is to go on a safari in Sri Lanka, experiencing the unique wildlife and culture.
- Favourite Place: He loves skiing in the French Alps – a place where he finds exhilaration and peace.
- Favourite Food: Like Matthew, he’s a big pizza fan!
- Favourite Movie: The Dark Knight – he believes it’s the best film trilogy ever made.
- Must-Have: Coffee. It’s the fuel that keeps him going throughout the day.
Welcoming Our New Team Member: Meet Shannon – Payroll
Shannon handles payroll for our clients, ensuring that everything runs smoothly from processing payroll to dealing with pension contributions and CIS aspects. Her career began with a Business Admin Apprenticeship at 18, and since then, she’s steadily worked her way up in the world of payroll.
What Does Shannon Do?
Shannon ensures that our clients’ payroll is processed efficiently and correctly every time. It’s a vital role that helps keep the day-to-day operations of businesses running without a hitch. Her attention to detail and dedication to her work make her an invaluable asset to the team.
What’s Shannon Like Outside of Work?
Shannon is passionate about travel. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a longer holiday, she loves exploring new places. She also enjoys attending concerts, reading, and spending time with her dog, Betsy.
Some Fun Facts About Shannon:
- Unusual Fact: Shannon loves collecting magnets. Each new destination she visits, a new magnet goes on her ever-growing fridge collection. She’s also visited Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, which was an unforgettable experience for her.
- Bucket List: Driving Route 66 in a camper van is high on Shannon’s bucket list. She dreams of ticking off every American state!
- Favourite Place: Orlando, Florida, holds a special place in her heart, not only for childhood memories but also because she got engaged there in 2023.
- Favourite Food: Shannon loves a good Indian meal.
- Must-Have: An iced coffee is an essential part of her day!
Welcoming Our New Team Member: Meet PellAgia – Audit
Pellagia is a proactive audit advisor committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients. As an ACCA member with over three years of external audit experience, she helps clients build trust, enhance transparency, and achieve sustainable growth.
What Does Pellagia Do?
In her role, Pellagia designs and executes audit procedures, ensuring that financial statements are accurate and free from material misstatements. Her work helps clients maintain trust and credibility, something that’s critical for any business.
What Does Pellagia Enjoy Beyond Work?
In her spare time, Pellagia enjoys playing basketball and going for long walks, making sure to keep active both physically and mentally.
Interesting Things About Pelligia:
- Unusual Fact: Pellagia has climbed Mount Nyangani, the tallest mountain in Zimbabwe, which stands at an impressive 2,592 metres.
- Bucket List: She wants to visit every continent – a goal we’re sure she’ll achieve!
- Favourite Place: Harare, Zimbabwe, holds a special place in her heart for its sunny weather and vibrant atmosphere.
- Favourite Food: Sadza and braai meat – traditional dishes that remind her of home.
- Favourite Movie: The Notebook – a film that taught her the importance of patience in love.
Welcoming Our New Team Member: Meet Gillian – Accounts, Cloud
Gillian is part of the Accounts and Cloud team, bringing years of experience to DonnellyBentley. She’s been preparing accounts for small owner-managed businesses since 1997 and has been ACCA qualified since 2005.
What Does Gillian Do?
Gillian prepares management and year-end accounts, helps clients with VAT, and handles bookkeeping tasks. Her attention to detail and extensive experience make her an invaluable part of our Accounts team.
What’s Gillian Like Outside of Work?
In her free time, Gillian enjoys gardening, DIY projects, and listening to Spanish podcasts. She’s always keen to learn something new and keep herself busy.
Some Interesting Facts About Gillian:
- Unusual Fact: Gillian has a metal plate in her wrist, making her a true bionic woman!
- Bucket List: She dreams of learning a musical instrument, becoming fluent in Spanish, and one day living in Spain.
- Favourite Place: Home is where her heart is, especially when she’s spending time with her husband, daughter, and their two labradoodles.
- Favourite Food: A roast chicken dinner with Yorkshire pudding – a true British classic.
- Must-Have: She can’t start her day without breakfast, even if it’s lunchtime!
A Warm welcome
We are thrilled to have Matthew, Josh, Shannon, Pellagia, and Gillian as part of the DonnellyBentley family. Each brings their unique skills, passions, and personality to the team. Together, we’re excited to continue growing and providing top-notch services to our clients.
If you see any of our new team members around the office, don’t hesitate to say hello! They’re excited to get to know everyone and settle into the fantastic work environment we have here at DonnellyBentley. Here’s to new faces, new opportunities, and continued success!
