The Team

Nigel is an FCA with over 35 years’ experience in accountancy. Having spent most of his career with a Big 4 advisory team dealing with underperforming businesses, his recent focus has been away from client work as a Financial Director of a large professional services business. Now the CFO of Sumer, he is bringing his wealth of experience to help grow a business that is dedicated to supporting its clients. When out of the office you will find him in nature either trying not to lose his dog when out walking him or pottering around the garden, pretending he knows what he’s doing.

As a progressive, personable and driven individual with a career spanning three decades, progressing from Trainee Accountant to CEO, to leading three management buyouts, Sheila has never compromised on the values at the heart of organisations or of herself as a business leader. Her dedication extends to additional endeavours including roles serving as a school governor and Patron and Trustee of various charities. As Chair of Sumer Sheila’s main focus is to the lead the board and drive good corporate governance. As a people person, Shelia loves to spend her spare time with her family and friends and traveling.

Having qualified as a chartered accountant Jason has put those skills to work across roles in private equity, investment banking, professional practice as well as serving as member of the Governing Council of ICAS. As an Investment Director on the Board, he is focused on supporting the development of Sumer Group into a UK and Ireland SME business services leader. Jason is a strong believer in the economic power of the SME, the positive impact accountants can have in their communities and with clients. Being a recent first-time father, Jason’s golf game has suffered significantly, along with his sleep.

Gareth spent the first 10 years of his working life as British Army Officer before joining one of the Big 4 professional services firm. He is most at home in the centre of organisations driving the agenda on multiple fronts. As COO of Sumer, his focus is to create an environment where people can thrive, feel empowered and deliver success for our clients. In his own time, he balances precious time with his young family, trying to keep fit and slowly coming to terms with having to be more of an ‘armchair’ sports fan.

Prior to joining Sumer, Jules has worked in a range of industry sectors delivering risk and compliance programmes, bringing over 24 years experience in both consulting and in-house roles.
Now at Sumer, she is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing Sumer’s risk and compliance functions to ensure we always have the confidence and trust of our clients, our regulators, our investors, and our people. When out of the office, Jules is most likely to be on a hockey pitch saving goals, coaching hockey at her local club or up a mountain in some far-flung place.

Warren is a life-long accountant. He spent most of his career at a Big 4 firm, where he helped hundreds of businesses to raise funding and grow. As CEO and co-founder of Sumer, his main focus is to champion our clients and lead our exceptional colleagues. Warren is a passionate advocate of inclusion in the workplace. At the weekends, you’ll find him cheering (and shivering) at his children’s football matches, or with his nose in a trashy book.

Steven is a founding Partner of Penta Capital LLP who specialise in funding private equity opportunities in the UK mid-market. Penta work alongside Toscafund, a global multi-asset manager, and have been active in platform investments, buyouts and take-private investments, mainly in the UK. Outside of work and spending time with family, very much including his three dogs, Steven is a keen sportsman. Golf, skiing and cycling provide good calendar year coverage with a host of others to watch from the side lines in between.

Sam is an entrepreneur who spent over 20 years building up a leading financial services firm as Founder and CEO, advising many businesses to help them grow. She has a passion for promoting inclusive workplace culture and diversity and inclusion. She loves everything to do with entrepreneurship and has a personal mission to get entrepreneurial thinking into the school curriculum as well as being a big supporter of scale up businesses in the UK. At weekends she loves to be outdoors, either on land, water or snow and spending fun times with her daughter on many adventures big and small.

James’ background as an entrepreneur gives him a uniquely sympathetic view of the journey ambitious SMEs are on as he’s lived the opportunities and challenges these business’ face. More recently, he’s been able to combine that experience with building a boutique professional services firm, harnessing the power of technology, data and people to achieve growth. James brings that dual experience to Sumer, where he is focused on organic growth across the group, helping Sumer deliver its mission of championing businesses across the UK and Ireland. A passionate sports fan, James has dabbled in rowing, rugby, football and golf to varying degrees of success, and is a long-suffering Spurs fan.

With over 40 years in professional services in a Big 4 firm, Steve Wills brings industry expertise, board experience and a strong network that spans industries and geographies. He has a passion for helping businesses large and small win in the market with sales excellence and technology enablement. When not in the market Steve supports the arts on a not-for-profit basis with work at the TATE and ICA as a trustee. When out of the office you will find him walking the dogs and breeding sheep!