Leigh Christou Strengthens Midlands Presence Through Partnership with Jerroms
We are pleased to announce our partnership with Jerroms, part of the Sumer Group, which marks an exciting new chapter for our two practices.
This partnership brings together two firms that share the same values and a strong commitment to helping small and medium-sized businesses succeed. By combining our expertise, local knowledge and complementary strengths, our partnership enhances the support available to clients across the region while strengthening our presence throughout the Midlands.
For more than 40 years, we have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, personalised financial advice to businesses and individuals across Coventry and Warwickshire. With extensive expertise in accounting, auditing, taxation and forensic accounting, we have consistently provided tailored guidance and strategic support that helps clients maintain compliance, improve performance and achieve long-term success.
Joining forces with Jerroms creates new opportunities for clients to access a broader range of specialist services and expertise. Through our partnership, clients will benefit from enhanced resources, deeper technical knowledge and the wider capabilities available through the Sumer Group network.
The collaboration reflects a shared vision of delivering practical, forward-thinking advice that helps businesses navigate an increasingly complex commercial environment. By bringing together experienced professionals with strong regional insight, the combined team is well placed to support businesses at every stage of their development.
While becoming part of the wider Jerroms and Sumer Group family, we will continue to provide the personalised service and trusted relationships that have been at the heart of the firm's success for decades. Clients can expect the same dedicated support, now strengthened by access to a broader pool of expertise and additional specialist resources.
Our partnership represents an important milestone in our continued growth and reinforces our commitment to supporting businesses across Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands area with expert advice, personal service and long-term strategic guidance.
Picture: Arthur Bibbey, Catherine Markou, Chris Christou
Leigh Christou achieves Xero Platinum Partner Status
We are delighted to announce that we have officially achieved Xero Platinum Partner status, marking an important milestone in our commitment to providing exceptional cloud accounting and business advisory services.
Platinum Partner status is awarded to accounting and bookkeeping firms that have demonstrated significant expertise and experience in helping businesses make the most of Xero's powerful cloud accounting platform. It reflects our ongoing investment in technology, training, and client support, and recognises the trust that our clients place in us every day.
What Does Xero Platinum Partner Status Mean?
Xero's partner programme recognises firms based on their experience, knowledge, and the number of businesses they support using the platform. Achieving Platinum status places us among an elite group of accounting firms that have successfully helped hundreds of businesses streamline their financial management through cloud accounting.
This accreditation demonstrates that our team has extensive experience implementing, supporting, and optimising Xero for businesses across a wide range of industries.
What This Means for Our Clients
For our clients, Platinum Partner status provides additional confidence that they are working with a team that understands both accounting and technology.
As a Platinum Partner, we can offer:
- Expert Xero implementation and migration services
- Advanced knowledge of Xero features and best practices
- Support with automation and integration of business systems
- Access to the latest developments and updates within the Xero ecosystem
- Ongoing training and guidance to help businesses get the most from their accounting software
Whether you're a start-up looking to move away from spreadsheets or an established business seeking greater efficiency and visibility over your finances, our team can help you maximise the benefits of cloud accounting. Get in touch today!
Two new staff members for Leigh Christou
We’re delighted to welcome two new additions to the Leigh Christou Coventry office. The arrival of Arthur Bibbey and Sean Haycock reflects the continued growth of our practice, strengthening our team as we expand our services and enhance the support we provide to our clients.
Arthur brings 15 years of experience and specialises in end of year accounting, whilst providing proactive advice on Corporation Tax and VAT and supporting businesses through complex regulatory requirements. Alongside his core work, he contributes to a range of specialist projects, bringing a problem-solving mindset and attention to detail to every engagement.
Sean Haycock joins us a Tax Manager and brings with him a wealth of experience being a qualified AAT accountant, specialising in personal tax and working towards his CTA qualification. He specialises in Self-Assessment tax returns, P11d preparation, residential property disposals and providing support for Making Tax Digital.
They are already making a great impact, and we are pleased to have them on board.
Picture: Left to right: Arthur Bibbey and Sean Haycock
Myton Hospice thank Leigh Christou Duo
In September, two of our dedicated team members, Matty Galland and Ryan Kent completed the challenging Kenilworth Half Marathon to support a charity which is close to many hearts.
Through their hard work, determination and the generous support of the local community, they raised an outstanding £1,560 for Myton Hospice, a charity that provides vital care and support to people and their families facing terminal illness.
To celebrate their achievement, a thank you cheque for the total amount raised was officially presented to Matty and Ryan by Martin Watts, Corporate Fundraiser, from Myton Hospice.
We are extremely proud of Matty and Ryan for their dedication and community spirit. Their efforts reflect the strong values we hold as a team here at Leigh Christou, and we’re delighted to support such an important local charity.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this fantastic cause.
Pictured L-R: Ryan Kent, Matty Galland, Martin Watts
Heart of England Conference and Events Centre appear on Channel 5’s The Hotel Inspector
We were honoured to be invited by our client, Stephen Hammon of The Heart Of England Conference and Events Centre, to attend the screening of their appearance on Alex Polizzi’s The Hotel Inspector last night, Thursday 11th September 2025.
Heart House is a 16th century modern bed and breakfast on the grounds of the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, offering 10 modern bedrooms with luxurious soft furnishings, large screen TVs, and tea/coffee facilities. It is part of a larger complex that also includes charming glamping pods, shepherd huts (some with hot tubs), a log cabin, a restaurant and a conference centre, providing a comprehensive venue for a variety of events.
Alex Polizzi visited owner Stephen Hammon, to give advice and provide ideas to enable Heart House to become a successful venue, offering guests the choice of well-appointed accommodation, along with a range of team building activities within 160 acres of Warwickshire countryside.
Leigh Christou Duo raise over £1,500 for the Myton Hospice
Our Matty Galland and Ryan Kent recently went the extra mile – quite literally – to raise over £1,500 for the Myton Hospice, by completing the challenging Kenilworth Half Marathon on Sunday 7th September 2025.
Their incredible effort and determination enabled them to push through and cross the finish line in approx 2 hours, proud to not have only completed the 13.1 mile run, but to have raised significant funds for an important cause.
Leigh Christou have now raised over £10,000 for the Myton Hospice and are already planning their next fundraising event to give as much as possible to this incredible charity.
Leigh Christou Team take on Kenilworth Half Marathon 2025 for the Myton Hospice
Two of our team here at Leigh Christou have decided to run the Kenilworth Half Marathon on Sunday 7th September 2025, all in support of the Myton Hospice!
This year the race begins and ends in the heart Kenilworth Town Centre. One of the route's highlights is running through the iconic grounds of Kenilworth Castle, before venturing into the picturesque Warwickshire countryside and the race concludes back in Kenilworth Town Centre, where they will cross the finish line at the famous Clock Tower.
Our Ryan Kent and Matty Galland hope their training, through early morning runs in the height of the British summer, will help them complete the course and raise as much money as possible for the Charity, which offers compassionate end of life care and provides support to thousands of people and their families. Every penny raised helps keep their services free of charge to their patients and their loved ones, so please help us and show your support to our staff who are taking on this challenge. If you would like to make a donation, to this worthwhile cause and show your appreciation of Ryan and Matty’s hard work, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/leighchristouhalfmarathon - Thank you!
Masterclass – Talent Pipeline and Succession Planning: How Employee Ownership can safeguard the future of your business
The West Midlands Combined Authority held their Masterclass - Talent Pipeline and Succession Planning: How Employee Ownership can safeguard the future of your business on Tuesday 8th April in Leamington Spa.
Our Chris Christou was asked to speak at the event and he explained how employee ownership could safeguard the future of your business.
An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is a trust that enables a company to become owned by its employees and can be set up by a company’s existing owners, perhaps as part of their exit/succession planning strategy, or by founders starting a new business which they wish to be employee-owned.
The company's owners sell their shares to the EOT, which then holds them for the benefit of the employees.
The EOT is governed by trustees, who represent the interests of the employees.
Should you wish to discuss whether this could be an option for you and your business, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Leigh Christou Team raise £1,865 for the Myton Hospice Coventry Cathedral Abseil Challenge 2024
On Saturday 28th September, Leigh Christou team members took part in the Myton Hospice Charity Abseil down Coventry Cathedral and raised a fantastic £1,865 in the process!
The brave bunch did an amazing job during this adrenaline fuelled challenge and with the blue skies and sun shining over our beloved city, it was a great day out for all.
The Myton Hospice offers compassionate end of life care, providing support to thousands of people and their families. Every penny raised for them helps keep their services free of charge to patients and their loved ones.
Thank you ever so much to all those who donated and came down to show their support, we really do appreciate it!
There is still time to donate, so if you would like to make a contribution, please visit www.justgiving.com/page/leighchristou - Thank you!
Leigh Christou Team take on Coventry Cathedral for the Myton Hospice
A number of our team are taking their fundraising to new heights, (literally!) this time with an Abseil down Coventry Cathedral on Saturday 28th September 2024, all in support of the Myton Hospice.
They hope this adrenaline rush activity will raise as much money as possible for the Charity, which offers compassionate end of life care and provides support to thousands of people and their families. Every penny raised helps keep their services free of charge to their patients and their loved ones, so please help us and show your support to our staff who are facing their fears and taking on this brave challenge. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.justgiving.com/page/leighchristou - Thank you!
Leigh Christou – Double Reason to Celebrate!
We are proud to announce that both of our AAT finalists, Sumaya Miah and Luke Girling have now completed their AAT award with CWT.
Both Sumaya and Luke achieved outstanding results in their finals and can now proudly add the letters ‘AAT’ at the end of their names.
They can now look forward to advancing their careers with Leigh Christou and have the option of studying for their ACCA exams, fully supported by the company.
Chris Christou, Senior Director, at Leigh Christou said: ‘We could not hope for two more capable team members to enhance our team and provide us with progression. We value all of our staff and are proud to have another success story to add to our long list of staff achievements over the years. Well done Sumaya and Luke!’
Employee Ownership Seminar – Thursday 27th June 2024
We held our Employee Ownership Trust breakfast Seminar this morning at the Radcliffe Conference Centre – University of Warwick and provided information and advice to local businesses.
Find out more about Employee Ownership Trusts here.
Should this be of interest to you, please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange a free, no obligation initial meeting on 024 7625 1333.
New Staff to Really Add Value to our Thriving Team
We are happy to announce new additions to the Leigh Christou Coventry office, all of whom are already adding value to our strong and innovative team!
We have Sumaya who is an AAT finalist, Lauren who joins us as a qualified ACCA accountant, and Madi who is studying for her AAT level 3. All committed individuals whose skills and personalities have been welcomed by the team and are great additions to our ongoing success.