Group Directors

Ged Cosgrove FCA
Group Managing Partner

Ged is responsible for developing and delivering Group strategy. He joined Champion in 1985 and was appointed Partner after just one year. Since then he has directed the transformation of Champion, from a compliance focused practice into a provider of wide-ranging business advice. Aside from working closely with current teams, Ged drives acquisition activities, developing relationships with potential additions to the Champion Group.

Ged is a dedicated Manchester City fan.

Karen Baird
Group Finance Director

Karen is responsible for all financial aspects of the business and is involved in developing Group strategy.  With a proven track record with bank relationships and negotiations Karen ensures funding is in place to facilitate long term growth.

Karen joined Champion in 1996, qualified in 2000 and joined the main board in 2003. Having established Champion’s successful Management Accounts department, Karen keeps her hand in with client work leading corporate finance deals.

Karen enjoys a hectic social life when she is not out walking her Rhodesian Ridgeback “Nibs” who is half dog half human! Karen is a Liverpool fan and plans to marry Steven Gerrard when he next becomes available.

Gill Molloy
Group Tax Director

Gill specialises in the corporate aspects of tax planning for the Champion Group including mergers, demergers, corporate restructuring, acquisitions, assistance to listed markets and share schemes. She also deals with all aspects of personal tax planning for high net worth individuals. Gill joined Champion in 2003 and has over 20 years experience in tax planning management.

In her free time, Gill like nothing better than sticking her earphones in and her running shoes on.

Champion - Blackpool

Debbie Thorn FCA
Director

Debbie has over 25 years audit, accounts and tax experience, specialising in manufacturing companies, solicitors, property companies and caravan parks. She works for a wide range of clients, from sole traders through to companies with turnover of up to £10m. Debbie kicked off her accountancy career with Haworth Moore Chartered Accountants in 1983, qualified in 1991 and became partner in 1995. She joined the Champion fold when the two practices merged in 2007

Always one to support a charitable cause, Debbie is Director of The Streetlife Trust, an emergency overnight shelter for young homeless people. When she isn’t in Blackpool, she enjoys being in Italy - preferably in a restaurant.

Gillian Hyde FCCA
Director

Gillian works for a diverse portfolio of clients, her expertise lying mainly with clients in the leisure and catering industry, engineering companies and management consultants. She began her accountancy career with Haworth Moore Chartered Accountants and now has over 30 years experience.

Gillian can often be found down at the stables with her beloved horses. Aside from training and competing dressage horses up to National Level, Gillian also breeds sports horses.

Stephen Crilley FCA
Director

Stephen has over 30 years experience in audit, tax and management accounts, working for businesses such as charities, insurance brokers, general practitioners, motor traders, property companies and healthcare companies.

Starting his accountancy career with Haworth Moore Chartered Accountants, Stephen became a partner in 1987 and joined Champion when the two companies merged in 2007.

Stephen plays for a 5-a-side football team and when he wants to relax, tinkers under the bonnets of clapped out old cars.

Champion - Chester

Andrew Hopwood BSc (Hons) ACA
Director

Andrew has over 10 years accountancy experience, specialising in charities, audits and limited company jobs and working for a diverse portfolio of clients. A keen networker, Andy plays a key role in Chester’s new business activities. Andy joined Allwood Baird Hack in 1997, becoming part of the Champion team when the two companies merged in 2004. He was appointed Director in July 2008

A Liverpool season ticket holder, Andy deals with his frustrations through an array of sporting activities, taking part in badminton, squash, pool and golf.

Mike Jackson BSc (Hons) FCA
Director

Mike specialises in financial due diligence and audit work as well as providing services to SME and family owned businesses and professional partnerships. He acts for clients across a number of sectors, including property and construction, retail, manufacturing, medical and agriculture. Qualifying in 1981, Mike started his career with KPMG, became Partner of Chester firm Allwood Baird Hack in 1988 and joined the Champion team when the two companies merged in 2004.

Oldham Athletic supporter Mike stays active with walking and cycling and is also a keen snooker player.

Champion - Manchester

Mark Turner FCA
Client Partner

Mark’s portfolio of clients is a broad mix of businesses ranging from small limited companies to audit clients with turnover of up to £25million. Mark is also responsible for dealing with all aspects of Practice Assurance and Ethics for the Champion Group. Qualifying in 1984, Mark spent his early career at Royce Peeling Green before joining Champion as Audit Partner over 20 years ago.

In his leisure time Mark is a regular golfer, playing most of his competitive golf at Didsbury Golf Club. He will gladly accept any challenge from potential golfing bandits.

Tony Flanagan FCA
Client Partner

Tony acts for a diverse portfolio of clients and has over 30 years experience as a qualified accountant. Commencing his articles with Mann Judd in 1969, Tony came to Champion from PKF in 1991.

In his free time, Tony likes nothing better than donning his plus fours and taking to the course and is also Governor for a local school.

Champion - Preston

Dave Wood FCA
Director

Dave’s expertise lies in the pub, restaurant and property development industries. He qualified in 1977 with Armitage and Norton and became a partner at Crossley & Davis in 1983. During the early part of his career Dave specialized in corporate recovery work, later moving back to general practice as Partner at Lithgow Nelson. He joined Champion in January 2003.

Champion’s very own David Dickinson, Dave is often found frequenting antique shops of the North West searching for valuable treasures.

Stephen Robinson FCA
Client Director

Stephen has over 25 years experience acting for a diverse portfolio of clients, in particular religious charities and owner run family businesses. He qualified in 1983 as a member of the ICAEW and was made Partner at his family’s accountancy firm two years later. He started his own practice in 2000 and joined Champion when the two companies merged in October 2008.

Stephen is a Borough Councillor on South Ribble Borough Council and a Penwortham town councillor. He is a keen golfer and lover of rugby, although these days he prefers to stick to watching rather than playing. An organiser of the Preston Beer Festival, a weekends Stephen can be found sampling real ales in the Lancashire area.

Champion - Southport

Bob Thompson FCCA
Director

Bob acts as trusted adviser to a diverse portfolio of clients including large owner managed businesses and several charities. He joined accountancy firm Jones Harris 18 years ago, becoming part of the Champion team when the two companies merged in 2003. Bob now drives business development activities at the Southport office.

Bob is a keen swimmer and walker and when he’s not in the pool or halfway up a mountain, he coaches and taxis his three daughters to swimming meets around the North West.

Janice Hurst BA CA
Director

Janice has over 15 years experience in audit and managing the accountancy needs of a portfolio of SME businesses.  She specialises mainly in the manufacturing and retail sectors and also has excellent knowledge of the business requirements of professional practices, particularly solicitors. Janice joined Champion as Audit Manager in 2005 and was appointed a Director in November 2007.

Originally from Edinburgh, Janice previously worked with American International in Paris and Ernst & Young in Bristol before moving to the North West and joining the Champion fold.

Janice stays active through running and walking and loves anywhere hot – especially Spain.