Retirement Options for Business Owners

Ollie Squire

Partner

Ollie is a Partner at The MGroup Partnership, working closely with business owners and leadership teams across a range of sectors, including construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and sustainable technologies.

He supports organisations at different stages of their journey from start‑ups and established family run businesses to larger, multinational groups providing commercially focused advice to help them grow, restructure and plan for the future with clarity and confidence.

Ollie joined The MGroup over 10 years ago as an Accounts Clerk, progressing through the firm to Partner. This experience has given him a strong understanding of businesses at every stage, from day‑to‑day operations through to strategic decision making.

He works closely with business owners on a range of strategic and commercial matters, including valuations, ownership structures and succession planning, supporting informed decision making around growth, change and longer term planning.

Alongside his client work, Ollie has been actively involved in strengthening The MGroup’s presence within the local business community, including the firm’s collaboration with Oxford City Football Club and the naming of the MGroup Stadium.

Outside of work, Ollie enjoys building strong relationships developing existing partnerships and connecting with new people across the business community.

Chris Denton

Partner

Chris, began his career in the external audit department of Grant Thornton in Bristol whilst completing his exams to become a qualified Chartered Accountant. Chris then relocated to Melbourne, leading the JTP Assurance external audit division for over 7 years before returning to the UK to establish JTP International (UK) LLP. In October 2023, JTP International and The MGroup successfully merged, providing Chris with the platform to offer a full range of accounting, audit and advisory services to his new and existing clients.

Chris also heads up The MGroup Audit Ltd and with 15 years experience, he is accomplished in providing accounting and advisory services to owner run SMEs, large private companies, not-for-profit and multinational corporate clients. He has a broad range of industry and client experience including within the technology, manufacturing, construction, and service sectors to a range of companies from start-ups to established multi-million pound businesses. Chris also has significant experience in Not-for-profit reporting, including in Australia and the UK.

Chris is independent from the accounts production team and will provide a ‘fresh set of eyes’ to the financial statements.

His friendly, professional, and hands-on approach ensure effective and efficient engagements are performed whilst gaining a deep knowledge of a client’s business and needs.

Jordan Lyne

Partner

Jordan has worked with various client’s over his ten years at The MGroup. The services provided range from bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual accounts and management accounts. He has been involved in recruitment of new staff members and helped move the firm on with it’s systems by creating and improving internal controls and procedures.

Jordan manages his resources efficiently to meet deadlines and where clients have specific requirements, he works closely with them to ensure these are both feasible and met in a timely manner. Jordan has clients in various sectors, ranging from international companies to smaller locally based businesses.

Wendy Tatham

Partner

Wendy joined the firm in 2015, after starting in finance for the NHS and then qualifying with another local firm of accountants. She brought with her experience across all areas, having previously managed payroll support, corporate and personal tax compliance and planning alongside other general practice elements.

Wendy works with clients across a range of sectors and enjoys supporting them with their statutory reporting, internal financial processes, corporate and personal tax planning and business advisory services. A key area of interest is working closely with her clients to support them with growing and restructuring their businesses to align with their long term goals.

In her spare time Wendy is the lead volunteer for Oxfordshire Scouts, supporting 95 Scouts groups across the county to deliver a fun programme of activities to young people aged 4 to 24.

Geoff Pinder

Corporate Finance Partner

Geoff has operated in the Mergers & Acquisitions and the corporate finance arena since 2004. He has held Executive roles leading and managing the performance and productivity of cross functional teams focused on delivering a high quality service to clients across complex portfolios.

Selling a business is a life changing event, and Geoff’s passion is working with businesses owners to help them explore the various exit options and strategies available to achieve their objectives, leading to excellent results for all stakeholders.

Geoff has been involved in over 500 deals across multiple industry sectors, working predominantly on the sell side of transactions, including sales to strategic buyers, private equity, and MBO’s.

Darren Green

Partner

Having grown up in North Oxfordshire, Darren joined The MGroup in 1999 as a trainee, qualified in 2003, and became a partner in 2010. Darren is best known for his ability to ‘go the extra mile’ for clients; even changing a flat tyre outside the office when it was discovered after a meeting, helping his clients to safely make their way home.

Aside from changing tyres, Darren enjoys helping clients to grow their varied and interesting businesses, and gaining insights into a wide range of sectors. In particular, he likes working within the corporate finance team, assisting with financial projections and due diligence for prospective buyers. Darren enjoys the challenging and pressurized nature of this type of work. Many of his clients are from manufacturing, technology or start-up backgrounds.

In his spare time Darren is a family man and he also enjoys sport, including football, skiing and running. He has taken part in a 26 mile walk for a cancer charity with colleague Geoff.

Peter Smith

Partner

Peter joined The MGroup in 1990 and became a partner in 1996. Originally from Wiltshire, Peter is a member of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce where he has been a Chamber council member for over 20 years.

Helping to provide a complete finance solution to companies is one of Peter’s key focus areas. He believes this to be a service that sets the partnership aside from its competitors, alongside The MGroup values and employees.

Peter provides financial mentoring, support with strategy and planning, solutions to increase profitability and improve cash flow, and help with expansion/diversification plans. His specialist interest areas include not-for-profit, healthcare and international organisations.

Peter enjoys the opportunities and challenges he is faced with every day at The MGroup and making a difference to clients’ lives. He is also a keen local charity supporter, regularly helping to raise funds and awareness for SeeSaw and SpecialEffect where he is an ambassador.

Outside of work, Peter is a Chelsea Football Club season ticket holder. He likes walking in the local area, especially if there is a pub or café at the end of the walk, and enjoys holidays in Devon, in particular to a secret escape in Dartmouth.

Richard Clayton

Partner

In 1984 Richard became the youngest ever partner at The MGroup at the age of 27 and is now the longest serving partner. Richard is a true team player, having been a prominent local footballer in his early years. He very much brings the team ethos to The MGroup who like to work as an integral part of their client teams.

Richard qualified in 1982 and has worked with many of his clients for decades, evidence of the excellent service provided by both Richard and the firm. Richard is proud of the firm’s exceptional reputation. He continues to develop new strategies and explore improvements to the services they provide and remains highly ambitious and committed. Outside of work Richard enjoys golf, football, spending time with his family and the very occasional glass of wine (normally accompanied by too much food!).

Richard has a depth of knowledge and experience in all areas of the construction industry and also deals with most of the firms agricultural clients. He also deals with a wide range of other clients which include a substantial number of UK subsidiaries of overseas companies together with a number of high profile local businesses. Richard is a firm believer that the role of a trusted accountant is to provide clients with the best possible advice and support. The client does not always have to follow advice but he believes they must have all options on the table to form a meaningful decision.