About
Meet the team
We're proud to have a friendly and approachable team of experts
Prior to joining Benson Wood, John trained with a medium sized Chartered Accountancy firm in Glasgow where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1993 and was promoted to Office Manager in 1995.
In 1998 he was given the opportunity to join Benson Wood as partner.
John oversees a dedicated team of accountants, book-keepers and payroll professionals.
He works with a variety of different clients from small sole trader businesses to large multi-million pound turnover Companies.
“John is always very responsive to our business needs. We are delighted with the service he provides and consider that we and his other clients are fortunate to have him as our accountant & trusted advisor.”
Roderick Meek BA CA – Finance Director at CPA Engineered Solutions Ltd
Chris began his career training with a small firm in Falkirk before progressing to a more senior role within a medium-sized firm in Glasgow.
In 2015 he decided to join Benson Wood as a Senior Accountant, completing his professional exams and qualifying as an ACCA in 2016 shortly afterwards.
He has since been promoted to a Manager and oversees the work of his accounts team, while proactively engaging with clients throughout the year to give advice and support when it’s needed.
Chris works with a diverse group of clients assisting them with everything from their tax arrangements to advising and supporting large million-pound turnover businesses.
His work covers a broad range of sectors including landlords and property investors, professional services, construction and maintenance companies, motoring and engineering repair services.
“Chris has looked after my limited company business and personal tax for a number of years allowing me to focus on running the day-to-day business. He was always on hand to give me advice when I needed it and was helpful with tax and retirement planning, ultimately assisting me with valuations and negotiations when I sold my business prior to retirement. He always had my best interest in mind and I would highly recommend him as an accountant and advisor.”
Jim Carmichael, former Director of Clean Air Containment Services Ltd
Yvonne has more than three decades of experience within the accountancy profession, having initially started as an office junior at a firm in Airdrie in 1985.
She joined Benson Wood in 1999 and heads up our payroll team, where she works with a variety of different clients, including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
“I have known Yvonne for many years now. In her capacity of looking after payroll for my business and indeed helping with many other requests, she always works at pace to resolve any issues or problems that I might well endure in the day-to-day running of my business. Yvonne always works with utmost integrity and discretion and provides expert advice when needed.”
Eddie Phillips, Owner of Eddie’s Hairdressers Coatbridge
Chelsea joined Benson Wood in September 2008 as a trainee and after five years was promoted to an Accounts Assistant. She then made the move to a large accountancy firm in Glasgow.
After two years of progressing her knowledge, Chelsea decided to re-join the team at Benson Wood, initially as an Accounts Senior before then progressing to become an Accountant.
Chelsea provides accountancy, tax, VAT and bookkeeping services to a variety of clients.
“We recently upgraded our accounting software to equip our practice for the 21st century and the help received from Chelsea has been invaluable. Her knowledge and expertise of Xero, coupled with her enthusiasm has been a real motivation to allow us to integrate our accounting procedures into a digital paperless format. Chelsea is a problem solver which is a great asset to allow clients to ask questions knowing they will be answered. Accounting transition can feel like a daunting task, however, having the safety net of Chelsea through this process has been a real confidence booster, allowing this chapter to be seamlessly resolved.”
Raymond and Ruth Angus, Directors at Angus Design Associates Ltd
Laura Duffy trained with a small firm in East Kilbride whilst studying at the University of the West of Scotland, where she achieved a first-class honours degree in accounting, before joining Benson Wood in 2020.
Initially joining as an Accounts Specialist, she has since progressed to become an Accounts Senior. In her role, she deals with a wide range of clients from small sole traders to larger limited companies.
She is proficient in Xero, Sage and other accounting software’s and works hard to help her clients remain up to date with Making Tax Digital, providing training where necessary.
“I appointed Benson Wood to be our company accountants quite recently, but I wish we had done it sooner. Working with Laura has made life much easier. The systems and people at Benson Wood are excellent and Laura has not only helped us, patiently, become familiar with those systems, she has also taken on the range of tasks expected of an accountant. In so doing so she has worked with quiet efficiency, handling all queries and our inadequacies with professionalism and friendly calm. I would have no hesitation recommending Laura to anyone looking for a reliable accountant.”
Keith Whittles, Publisher at Whittles Publishing Ltd
Before becoming part of the Benson Wood team in May 2021, Laura had a career in banking, through which she learned a lot about the financial sector and developed a passion for accounting.
Laura predominantly works with sole traders and limited companies while also assisting a wide range of individuals with their self-assessment tax returns.
She prides herself on being friendly and approachable to clients, providing an attentive service that keeps them in the loop.
Alongside her day-to-day work with clients and the rest of the accounts team, Laura studies towards the ACCA qualification.
Prior to joining Benson Wood, Nicole held various Retail Management roles throughout Scotland and the North of England.
In 2020, Nicole joined the team taking the opportunity to change her career and become an administrator at Benson Wood.
She assists with client queries, liaises with HMRC on our clients’ behalf and helps the team submit tax returns and accounts.