Karen Whitehead

Director, KEW Accountants and Tax Specialists

IN A NUTSHELL, WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO? We take the worry out of running your own business

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT JOB? 4 years

EXPLAIN A TYPICAL WEEK IN YOUR WORKING LIFE: There simply is no typical week: So far this week I have completed a gaming duty form for a client, made a research and development claim resulting in a large refund for a client, advised on capital gains tax, had a meeting with HMRC to consult on their next step with their plans for modernising the tax system.

 WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YOUR INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW? HMRC

AND WHAT ARE THE BIG OPPORTUNITIES? The biggest opportunities are coming from the large increase in entrepreneurs.

 HOW DO YOU GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR STAFF? We work together as a big family. We are there for each other if someone is struggling we make sure no one is scared to ask for help and we laugh together.  I make sure that I am very open about financial targets and where we need to be aiming.

 WHAT WAS YOUR LAST MEETING ABOUT, HOW LONG DID IT LAST, AND WAS IT PRODUCTIVE? My last meeting was with a new client who wanted advice on how to start up his new venture and yes it was very productive.

 HOW MANY EMAILS DO YOU GET IN A DAY, AND HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO READ THEM? It varies but probably around 50 I have to take as much time as it takes. After all people have emailed me for a reason – but I do have a good team around me so I can pass some of them on to be dealt with by others.

 DO YOU ANSWER WORK CALLS OR EMAILS AT HOME? WHAT’S THE RIGHT WORK-LIFE BALANCE? Not often but I do sometimes.  When you own your own business it is difficult to juggle everything but I try my hardest never to work weekends.  I also make sure that I attend as many school events as possible and make sure that no  matter how busy I am I make time for my family.

HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? You will need to ask them but I hope they would describe me as someone who supports and nurtures but who can be tough when that is what is needed.

BREXIT – WHAT’S YOUR VIEW OF WHAT IT’S ALL GOING TO MEAN? This is impossible to answer. Some of my importing clients have seen their profits slashed whilst my exporting clients are finding an increase in demand especially the online clients. But as to the future – there is so little information as to the practical effects that I wouldn’t want to guess.

HIGHLIGHTS OR LOWLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Highlight was starting my own business in 2014 I am not sure there have been any low moments.

PET HATES? Ticking clocks

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Give it a go! What’s the worst that could happen?

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I go scuba diving with my daughter

 WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE SHROPSHIRE BUSINESS COMMUNITY? The Shropshire Business Community are very supportive. Even others from the same industry are often happy to talk and offer advice and make recommendations for services and suppliers

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. I once abseiled down the Windsor Life Building. I also signed myself out for a skydive but chickened out and said my other half would do it instead!!

YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Book – Complete works of Shakespeare, Film – Grease, CD has to be Bryan Adams

YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? Mary Berry, Dawn French, Graham Norton, my nan, Chanchez from Goggle box

WHAT WOULD YOU COOK FOR THEM? That’s why I am inviting Mary Berry!!