Gemma Newstead BFP FCCA ACA - Director

Gemma’s first encounter with Ashdown Hurrey was through a school work experience placement and she cannot have been put off the idea of accountancy, as she joined as a trainee in 2006.  Gemma initially completed her qualification as a member of the AAT and subsequently completed the ACCA examinations to become a Certified Accountant in 2012.

Gemma continues to develop her varied portfolio of clients and works closely with directors Jeff Moore and Mark Weeks-Pearson. Gemma assists the firm in its sales and marketing and also attends local schools to help with their careers fairs and delivers class sessions on a regular basis.  Gemma is also a school governor at a local school, assisting where ever she can.

Gemma describes herself as an armchair sports fan, with a particular interest in football. She has divided loyalties, having been brought up by an avid Crystal Palace supporter and with her husband a loyal Brighton supporter – not a good mix on derby day! Gemma is focused on family and friends, with her own young daughter to keep her busy with the endless sports interests that she has!

Jeffrey Moore BFP FCCA FCA - Director

Jeff qualified as an accountant in 1995, joining Ashdown Hurrey shortly afterwards. Since becoming a director, Jeff has taken responsibility for the firm’s internal financial arrangements and his client portfolio includes some of the larger corporate entities who benefit from his strategic advice.

Jeff is another keen golfer and sports enthusiast - this and the attentions of his young family ensure that all his spare time is fully utilised.

Mark Weeks-Pearson FCCA ACA - Director

Mark joined the practice as a graduate in 2001, having considered other options and undertaken a period of travelling. He qualified in 2006, subsequently successfully completing the practice’s associate scheme, and having run his own client portfolio for a number of years.

Mark has strong communication skills and is actively involved in local networking groups. Mark is an Enterprise Advisor, assisting a local school with its careers strategy and is always looking for business people interested in offering careers advice to young people. Mark tends to lead from the front with the firm’s marketing initiatives and as a family man with two young daughters, he usually has several things going on at one time.

Martin Copland FCCA - Director

Martin first came to Ashdown Hurrey on a year’s placement from University, before joining the firm on a permanent basis in 2009 and completing his training as a Certified Accountant in 2012. Martin now looks after his own portfolio of clients and particularly enjoys advising owner managed businesses from set up, to growth and maturity.

Martin describes himself as a music fanatic, the louder and faster the better, his own guitar playing being at a more leisurely pace. If he is not listening to or playing music, he is likely to be watching it live and he does include the odd bit of socialising with his friends, when he is not entertaining his daughter.

Sam Carter FCCA - Director

Sam joined Ashdown Hurrey as a trainee in 2005 and with first-time passes of his professional exams, qualified in 2009 and was appointed as a director in 2018. In addition to overseeing his own portfolio of clients, Sam is an enthusiastic networker on the local business scene and ensures that the firm keeps up to date with advances in technology that staff and clients are able to benefit from.

Sam regularly participates in sporting activities, including playing football, the odd game of tennis and maybe once a year completing a round of golf without losing all his golf balls.  Sam is also a fishing enthusiast and for a number of years ran a local fishing club.

Stuart Rosling FCCA - Director

Stuart joined Ashdown Hurrey originally in the late 1980s and completed his training as a Certified Accountant. Having completed his training, he decided to broaden his experience with a period of work in London and then returned to Ashdown Hurrey before relocating to the practice's Tunbridge Wells office. When that office demerged, he became a partner in the new entity where he remained for a further ten years. Having stayed in contact and on good terms with the Ashdown Hurrey directors, it was a logical move for him to relocate with his clients and Stuart is now based in the Hastings office. He has a wide range of clients, mainly based in the South East of England, with a particular focus on franchises, and looks forward to developing his client base further.
Once an active sporting participant, Stuart now maintains his enthusiasm for all things sporting as a spectator. Stuart keeps up his twin interests in music and sport through his musically performing daughter and footballing son, the role involving the inevitable provision of a free taxi service!

Roy Jones - Consultant

Roy qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1973 and has been a partner in local practices since then.

Joining Ashdown Hurrey in June 2019 Roy brings an eclectic mix of long standing clients who he will continue to service.

Roy maintains the tradition of ex-sportsmen within the practice, having played local football up to the age of 53. His energies have now shifted to the tennis courts of Amherst where he has been a long standing member. Surely he needs to follow more sedate sports at his age!