News: Leading chartered accountant back in Rotherham

Martin Hagen, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, returned to Rotherham last month, to vist manufacturer, AESSEAL.

Martin was born in Leeds, educated at Rotherham Grammar School and trained for his profession in Sheffield with Knox Franklin & Co (now PKF). He is currently a consultant to Deloitte, having retired as a partner in 2005, and also a deputy chairman of the Regulatory Decisions Committee of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and a member of the Audit Committee of the London School of Economics.

He was in the region to speak at the annual dinner of the Sheffield & District Society of Chartered Accountants with another PKF trainee, Master Cutler James Newman and a visit took place to AESSEAL in Rotherham, the world's fourth largest mechanical seal business.

AESSEAL was established in 1981 and is now selling to 93 countries worldwide with subsidiaries in 33 countries. Their precision engineered mechanical seals are found in industry sectors including oil and gas, pharmaceutical, mining, power generation, pulp and paper and food processing. Mechanical seals are even used in hydrofoils and torpedoes.

The company has seen business pick up with record months in September, October and November last year and again in March this year.

Martin said: "The role of chartered accountants in the local community is vital, and I know that conditions continue to be difficult for many businesses in Sheffield and the surrounding region. The challenge for our members and other finance professionals is to ensure that the businesses we work for and advise have access to the help and support they need to help see them though this difficult period.

"Lessons do need to be learned from the financial crisis but I believe that it is essential for us as professionals to look to the future, to offer our services and work together in a spirit of partnership and optimism over the coming months and years ahead."

ICAEW website
AESSEAL website
Rotherham