Volunteers & Committees

Andrew Mead BSc MBA FCA

Beds, Bucks & Herts President

Andrew is an independent consultant specialising in accounting advice and financial reporting. In addition to his technical consulting work Andrew provides consulting on finance transformations for ERP implementations and interim Head of Finance services to companies across a range of sectors. He has been a volunteer for the Beds, Bucks & Herts District Society since he started his training contract.

Previously he has chaired the local Student Society, the Learning & Professional Development Committee and the Conference Committee.

Simba Mareverwa BSc (Hons) ACA CEDR

Beds, Bucks & Herts Deputy-President

Simba is a Senior Partner at Innofund, leading consultants delivering innovation funding services to Large-SME clients. He trained at BDO then Leyton, specialising in corporation tax and innovation incentives rising to Director level at Leyton. Simba has a passion for problem solving science & technologies which sustain employee retention and drive economic growth. He is an HMRC enquiry specialist and CEDR Mediator who is also excited about enhancing clients’ intellectual property. Simba recently became an active volunteer of BBH to better engage with peers.

Ben Brophy BSc (Hons) ACA

Beds, Bucks & Herts Vice-President

Ben is the founder of a modern accountancy and advisory practice, BAA Group built on over 10 years of experience in the profession. As a Chartered Accountant for more than five years, Ben combines deep technical knowledge with a progressive, technology-driven approach to client service.

His practice focuses on delivering clear, tailored approach to business owners, underpinned by a “person-first” ethos and a commitment to collaboration with other professional advisors. Whether it’s simplifying compliance or enhancing business performance.

Philip Dean BA, FCA

Beds, Bucks & Herts Honorary Treasurer

Philip joined Hicks in December 2001 and became senior partner in May 2020. Philip specialises in new business start-ups, limited company accounts preparation and audit. Philip has a broad range of clients in many diverse sectors including retail, manufacturing, consultancy, property, construction, agriculture and financial services. Philip also looks after the affairs of clients in the not-for-profit sector including sports clubs and charities. Outside of the office, Philip is a keen (if slow) runner and rugby union front row player.

Salman Maqbool BSc (Hons), FCA

Beds, Bucks & Herts Honorary Secretary

Salman is the founder and Director of Adam Accounting Services Ltd for more than 15 years, serving small and new enterprises. Salman works with his clients to adopt new technologies and enjoys working with business owners in getting best out of current regulations/business environment. Previously he has worked as an Audit Manager with Deloitte in St-Albans and before that with KPMG Dubai within there Consumer Industrial Markets sector as an Audit Supervisor. In his spare time he has worked as a Trustee in a local educational charity, as well as worked with ICAEW BASE programme where he had in 2019 was asked to be a team guide in the finals and he is working currently as a mentor under the ICAEW Guider system.

Local Council Members

Derek Blair

ICAEW Deputy President

Derek has been a Chartered Accountant since 1994. He is one of two partners at Pinkham Blair, a general practice which he co-founded in 2004. The business specialises in assisting “corporate refugees” – those who have left large organisations to set up their own business. Derek founded the BBH Digital Accountants Club. He holds a keen interest in military history and enjoys touring battlefields. He is also a member of several military history societies. He is also a season ticket holder to Saracens Rugby Club.

Andrew Mead

BBH Council Member

John Sheehan

BBH Council Member

John is a consultant with the East Anglian member firm of the TC Group. He qualified with Grant Thornton in Bedford in 1981 and has spent the whole of his career in practice in the Beds, Bucks & Herts area. He is a BBHSCA, Past-President and currently co-chairs the independent district society’s discussion group. Away from the office, he’s a keen Bedford Blues, Chelsea and Bedford Town FC fan, walking footballer, sometime runner and cyclist, quizzer, jazz fan, trustee of the Friends of Bedfordshire Youth Music and chair of the Bedfordshire Music Trust.

Julian Daly

BBH Council Member

Julian is Finance Director of Olim Property Limited, a manager of c£0.7bn UK discretionary commercial property portfolios for institutional clients. He trained with KPMG, London before working with them in the USA and later moving into the financial sector in London. He is a former member of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (‘LEP’) Board and of that LEP’s Enterprise Zone Partnership Board. He is also a past Leader of St Albans City & District Council, a current ICAEW Council Member and Immediate Past President of BBH.

BBH Committees

BBH has a management committee and three operational committees.

BBH Management Committee

Committee Chair: Andrew Mead

Responsible for the strategic vision of the Society, each year agrees a plan for the advancement of the services provided to BBH members. The Society’s officers and BBH Council members sit on this committee together with other elected volunteers.

ManCom Members:

Crystal Boston
Ben Brophy
Julian Daly
Philip Dean
Lucy Ghawss
Paul Hingston
Hiral Kanzaria
Salman Maqbool
Simba Mareverwa
John Sheehan

BBH Conference Committee

Committee Chair: Crystal Boston

Organises and delivers the successful and comprehensive local CPD course programme.

BBH Belonging & Supporting Committee

Committee Chair: Julian Daly

Delivers communications, activities and services to members using various local channels. These include Livewire, a bi-annual newsletter, social events including a prestigious annual dinner, evening discussion groups and special interest groups such as a Digital Accountants’ Club, Women’s’ Accountancy Group (WAGs) and activities for retired members.

BBH Education & Training Committee

Committee Chair: John Sheehan

Aims to promote the ICAEW qualification by fostering links with universities, colleges and schools in the area and encourage applicants to train for the qualification. Also to support the qualification by maintaining links with local training firms and encourage them to engage with the District Society.

If you would like to have a say in what we offer to our members locally, make decisions about how the district society uses its resources for members and be part of your local district society team, then please contact Kate Binks, info@bbhsca.org.uk.

2024 Graduates Recognised at University of Hertfordshire and University of Bedfordshire

BBH proudly recognised the accomplishments of the 2024 accountancy graduates from the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Bedfordshire during their respective graduation ceremonies.

The University of Bedfordshire held its ceremony on 18 July 2024 at the picturesque Putteridge Bury Campus. BBH Honorary Secretary, Crystal Boston, was in attendance to present the prestigious 2024 BBH Accountancy Prize, which was awarded to Elena-Felicia Olaru in recognition of her outstanding achievements.

Similarly, the University of Hertfordshire celebrated its graduates on 6 September 2024 at the iconic Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban. During this momentous occasion, Crystal Boston once again represented BBH, presenting the 2024 BBH Taxation Prize to Julia Kowalczyk and the BBH Auditing Prize to Anna Maria Hillier.

Congratulations to all the prize winners for their exceptional achievements!

For details of Accountancy courses at these Universities, follow the links below:

Hertfordshire Business School
School of Accounting, Finance and Law | University of Bedfordshire