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our people :: partners

• Andrew Copping :: BA (Hons) FCA

  Andrew joined the practice as a trainee in 1984, qualified in 1987 and became partner in 1995. Andrew advises owner-managed businesses, primarily on tax, profit extraction and business consultancy. A significant element of Andrew's portfolio consists of professional and other service industry businesses, although his client base also includes the manufacturing, property and retail sectors. In recent years, he has advised clients on multi-million pound acquisitions and disposals. Andrew is married with two children and a lifelong supporter of Manchester United Football Club. A qualified referee, he runs and coaches two local amateur football teams in his spare time. He also claims to make a mean spaghetti bolognese. Currently watching: Masterchef. Listening to: Eminem, The Saturdays, The Dead Kennedys, The Sex Pistols. Inspired by: Sir Alex Ferguson. Favourite quote: “Winners make it happen, losers let it happen" My ambition is to: Win Masterchef.

• Chris Wrighton :: FCA CTA

  Chris joined the practice as a trainee and, after qualifying in 1982, left to work in the corporate tax department of an International firm of Chartered Accountants. Chris returned to Harold Sharp in 1986 as a partner and advises SME’s on a wide variety of accounting and tax issues with a view to helping the client develop their business. He has experience of many different businesses including professional practices, retail, construction, manufacturing and healthcare. Chris appreciates that tax planing is very important to clients. Ultimately tax is cash and you want as much as possible to stay in your pocket. Chris has recently been involved in advising a client on successfully raising over £3,500,000 bank finance and in another case negotiated a beneficial settlement for a client who was under enquiry by the Special Civil Investigations department of HMRC. Chris is a keen golfer, plays five-a-side football, supports Manchester United, enjoys keeping fit, eating out and spending time with the family. Listening to: 5 live. Inspired by: Sir Freddie Laker Favourite quote: “The more I practice the luckier I seem to get" - Gary Player. My ambition is to: Learn to fly.

• Heather Cunningham :: MA (Oxon) FCA

  Heather Cunningham took up partnership with Harold Sharp in 1993, after five years in the Channel Islands with Touche Ross and four years in Hong Kong. During her time in Asia, she held a senior position with Jardine Matheson responsible for internal audit and risk assessment across group companies and franchises, involving extensive travel throughout Asia and worldwide. Heather specialises in advising family companies and high-net worth individuals on tax, estate and investment planning, adopting a holistic approach to her clients’ affairs. This offers particular benefit to companies and trusts where corporate tax, income tax, inheritance tax, investment planning, retirement planning and the retention of family wealth all interplay. Property taxation and transactions, which often underpin personal wealth, is a further area of strong expertise. Heather is an active non-executive director. She is a keen golfer and also spends a great deal of time exercising her two dogs, Otto and Bismarck. Currently reading: White Tiger by Avarind Adiga. Listening to: Vivaldi. Inspired by: Daphne Park. Favourite quote: "No matter how good you get you can always get better and that's the exciting part." My ambition is to: Keep fit and enjoy life.

• Richard Evans :: BA (Hons) ACA

  Richard qualified in 1998 and took up partnership with the firm in 2001. He advises on a wide range of business and accounting matters, and has considerable expertise working with entrepreneurial companies. Richard places a particular emphasis on working closely with his clients during fast-growth phases in their business. He advises on financial options for successful cashflow management, and has a strong understanding of businesses operating a multi-channel sales model. He has a growing portfolio of e-commerce clients and an active audit client base. He enjoys playing golf and five-a-side football, though not at the same time, and is kept busy entertaining his three young children. Listening to: Scouting for Girls. Inspired by: Steve Redgrave, Britain’s greatest Olympian. Favourite quote: “Ambition is the path to success, persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.'” My ambition is to: To be a great dad and live my life to the full!

• Tony Lane :: B.Com (Hons) FCA

  Tony joined Harold Sharp after fourteen years with Deloitte Haskins & Sells, now PricewaterhouseCoopers. In previous roles, Tony worked with a number of high profile corporate clients, taking responsibility for not only their audit and accounting requirements, but for the completion of ad-hoc special exercises including investigations, acquisitions and disposals, flotations and business plans. Following secondment periods in the insolvency department and in industry, he transferred to the general practice department, where he developed his interest in dealing with owner-managed companies. Since joining the practice, Tony has concentrated on expanding his knowledge of all aspects of taxation affecting owner-managed businesses. His client base is extremely varied, encompassing manufacturing, retail, wholesale and service sectors. He also has experience in specialist areas such as pension and charity audits. Tony is an accomplished chess player, and is captain of Altrincham and Hale Chess Club in the Manchester and District League and the South East Lancashire League. He is also a keen supporter of Manchester United. He is married with two grown-up children and was born and bred in Sale. Currently watching: Wall-to-wall sport. Listening to: Lennon and McCartney, Brian Wilson. Inspired by: Denis Law. Favourite quote: “Live to work, don’t work to live.” My ambition is to: Live a happy and fulfilling life and see my family do the same.