BA FCA
Director
Barry leads the Audit & Assurance department at the firm having significant experience providing statutory and non-statutory audit services across a wide variety of client sizes and sectors. Barry also has significant expertise in financial reporting, general accounting and financial advice.
Prior to joining Wisteria, Barry had nearly 15 years of experience working in Central London and the City. Barry trained at Alliotts LLP and post-qualification moved to Grant Thornton UK LLP where he gained a further 10 years of experience delivering high-quality national and international audits. In the first half of Barry’s career, he worked across a broad range of industries and sectors such as financial services, professional services, real estate, charities, mining, manufacturing, wholesale & distribution, retail and hospitality.
Barry then went on to focus his industry and sector specialism with Privately-Owned, Private-Equity backed and listed Media, Technology & Telecoms (TMT) companies predominantly within the London and US-based markets.
This experience allows Barry to provide both a UK and global perspective to better assist both your immediate needs and future growth ambitions.
Barry’s specialisms include privately owned business audits, non-statutory assurance services and service charge audits.
Barry is a statutory auditor and a fellow member of the ICAEW.
What led you to pursue a career in your current role, and how did you get started in the field?
I started my career in Audit & Assurance at Alliotts where I qualified and stayed for 4 years before joining Grant Thornton where I gained a further 10 years of experience in a big corporate environment.
I then joined Wisteria in 2021 to take on the role of Head of Audit & Assurance, which has provided me with the platform to be able to make a positive difference within a boutique firm of like-minded individuals and to drive a progressive culture of growth and development.
I learnt a lot before joining Wisteria and have brought with me an abundance of positive experiences and an awareness of “what not to do” in my leadership style! I am now in a position as an owner of the business where I can support our people and our clients for life – however that may be interpreted!
What do you enjoy most about your job, and what do you find most challenging?
I enjoy going on the journey and interacting with my clients and my teams; whether that’s understanding the strategy of my client’s business to support them achieving their goals and ambitions, or learning about all the exciting things my team have been up to professionally and personally.
I love the coaching and development side of my role. Being able to support, nurture and collaborate with all the talent within our business and helping my clients achieve their full potential. Every single day provides a different challenge, which is what excites me!
What do you believe are the most important qualities for success in your current role, and how do you strive to embody those qualities in your work?
Understanding that our people are the key to our success. That building great relationships is key. Being open-minded. Never thinking I know it all. And to enjoy every day.
Whilst I have a vast depth of knowledge and experience from my mid-tier and big-firm corporate experiences, I am on a journey to achieve our vision and I want everyone to come along for the ride (and have some fun along the way)!