On Thursday 4 June we’re teaming up with the 'The Rebels and Next-gen of Accountancy', Cooper Parry, to welcome senior business and finance leaders to their Reading hub for the Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges event.

This breakfast get-together is a space to connect with your peers and plug into fresh thinking. A chance to sharpen your technical edge across Audit, Accounting Standards, Tax, AI and Cyber Security. And the perfect way to start your day, and prepare for your future. 

Date and Time: Thursday 4th June, from 9:30am – 11:30am
Venue: 1st Floor, Abbey Square, Davidson House, The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EU, United Kingdom  

What to expect 

Businesses are navigating a landscape that’s shifting faster than ever. Hosted by our own Associate Director, Richard Alborough and Steve Leith, CP’s Head of Tech & High Growth at Cooper Parry, our breakfast event is packed with technical knowledge across topics every leader needs to stay ahead of:

Accounting Standards

This session will explore the regulatory updates and technical developments that matter right now,  and what they mean for reporting, governance and decision making.
Topics will include key upcoming changes and timelines, the practical implications for mid-market businesses, how finance leaders should prepare now, and ways to reduce disruption and improve audit-readiness.

AI & Cyber Security

AI adoption, cyber risk and regulatory pressure continue to evolve rapidly, creating new challenges for businesses balancing innovation with protection and compliance.
This discussion will cover the latest developments, practical ways to reduce breach risk, incident response considerations, common frustrations with finance technology adoption, the role of data, and practical steps towards becoming “AI-ready”.

Tax

This session will focus on the changes shaping tax strategy for private companies, both now and in the years ahead.
Discussion points will include reliefs, incentives and risks linked to investment and expansion, due diligence considerations during growth or transactions, tax efficiency in a changing landscape, and preparation for Making Tax Digital (MTD).

Host & Speakers

Richard Alborough, Associate Director, Savant
Richard is a senior adviser at Savant, working closely with businesses and finance leaders on strategic and operational challenges. With a background in advising growth-stage and mid-market organisations, he brings a practical, real-world perspective on finance leadership, governance, and business performance.

Steve Leith, Head of Tech & High Growth, Cooper Parry
With over 20 years’ experience, Steve is Regional Market Leader for London & the South and Head of Tech & High Growth at Cooper Parry. He specialises in advising venture-backed and high-growth businesses, supporting founders and CFOs through scaling, fundraising, and complex growth challenges. 

Mark Newbold, Audit Partner, Cooper Parry
Mark is an Audit Partner at Cooper Parry with experience spanning both practice and industry. He works across mid-market and international groups, with particular expertise in cash flow, financing, and operational performance. Known for his analytical approach, Mark focuses on challenging assumptions and helping businesses make better-informed decisions.  

Lisa Dargan, CEO, URM Consulting Services
Lisa is CEO of URM Consulting Services, the cyber and information security specialist within the Cooper Parry group. She has built a strong reputation in cyber security, data protection, and risk management, helping organisations strengthen resilience and meet evolving regulatory requirements. Lisa plays a key role in integrating cyber security into broader business risk and assurance strategies. 

Mark Lockton, Partner at CP Digital, Founder & CEO, Embracent
Mark is a Partner within Cooper Parry Digital and co-founder of digital consultancy Embracent. He specialises in helping businesses unlock value from technology, data, and AI through practical, outcome-focused transformation. Mark brings extensive experience in scaling digital capabilities and aligning technology with commercial strategy.  

Matt Appleton, Tax Partner, Cooper Parry
Matt is a Tax Partner at Cooper Parry with over 30 years’ experience advising a wide range of clients, from entrepreneurs to large multinationals. He specialises in delivering practical, commercially focused tax advice, helping businesses navigate complexity and optimise their tax position.  

Join us for a practical discussion focused on the challenges shaping finance leadership today.

Register your interest below.

We look forward to welcoming you.

*The information provided at the event is confidential and supplied solely for the benifit of the attendees. Any commercial introductions are subject to the Savant terms and conditions, confirmed by receipt of the registration.