Southend: 01702 433313
Maldon: 01621 874590
E-mail: enquiries@devonportslas.co.uk

Meet the team

Ian Hornsey FFA FAIA - Director and Joint CEO

I established Devonports in 1994 with a handful of personal friends as clients and since that time the practice has continued to grow. I am a Fellow Member of the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) as well as Chair of the IFA’s Member Advisory Committee (MAC), and Ambassador for the Essex Branch of the Institute.

I enjoy keeping busy and, in particular, being able to look after and advise my varied client base, which includes small micro businesses to medium size clients, especially in this ever-changing world of compliance and tax changes. I make sure that clients are both fully informed and compliant, and that they take advantage of the tax breaks that are available to them. My friendly manner ensures that the fear factor is removed for clients. Indeed, most comment that I am unlike any other accountant that they have ever met.

I live with my partner, who I have been with for over twenty years. I enjoy fast cars and fine dining and the odd bottle of champagne.

Contact: tim@devonportslas.co.uk

Tim Howard FFA FAIA FMAAT CIPFAcert - Director and Joint CEO

Having been involved in many areas of financial services for a substantial number of years I set up LAS Partnership in 1997 with the object of being a proactive firm of Accountants who told clients what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. I also had the relationship with all my clients that I worked “With” them not “For” them. I have always had a very frank and direct approach to problems and problem solving and it is something that my clients have always been very grateful for. This different to normal attitude proved very successful and as I had known the team at Devonports for over fifteen years the decision to merge with such a likeminded company was not very difficult and it brought together two teams of very client focused professionals.

Out of work I enjoy any water sports whether sailing or motor boating and travelling around the country with my wife and our dogs. Like Ian, I also have a penchant for nice cars and good cognac.

Contact: ermal@devonportslas.co.uk

Ermal Krutani FFA FAIA - Managing Director

I joined Devonports as an accounts clerk in February 2003, and have worked alongside Ian ever since. In April 2014, I became a director of the company, looking after my own portfolio of clients, as well as assisting Ian's clients. I am fluent in three languages, including Italian and Albanian. I am the ‘all-rounder’ of the team, being able to assist both companies and individual clients in all areas of accountancy. My friendly manner and approachability ensure that clients feel at ease when talking through any issues.

I enjoy playing football and participating in outdoor sports and sailing. A keen traveller with a Mediterranean background.

Contact: james@devonportslas.co.uk

James Howard FFA FCCA - Managing Director

I qualified from Southampton University with a degree in Physics in 2009 and in 2010 joined (what was formerly LAS Partnership) to undertake my Chartered Accountancy exams and learn how to practice the right way, not just how the textbooks would lead you to believe you should. My internship with PWC in the summer of 2008 made me realise that I craved a more personal and direct relationship with my clients. The merger with Devonports has allowed to me to continue this client based focus albeit on a much grander scale with the support of a much greater team behind me.

In 2014 I qualified with the ACCA and I am now a fellow member of the IFA and the IPA as well as the ACCA. My focus is always on quality over quantity and focussing on the bigger picture, looking forwards and being proactive is a much more arduous task than looking back and being reactive, but it is often the most rewarding and financially prudent path.

In my spare time I am a keen sailor and have been racing competitively since I was 9 years old. I enjoy playing snooker and golf, I am a Marvel obsessive and if I am not spending time with my wife and three young children, I can be found in my workshop making custom woodworking tools and making whatever creations I can possibly dream up!

Contact: robert@devonportslas.co.uk

Robert Watts FCCA FFA - Director

Having joined Devonports in July 2014, I was made a director in March 2018. I now have amassed over 12 years of experience in practice having started my career when I left college in 2006. I gained my ACCA qualification in 2012 and obtained my practising certificate in 2014. I am committed to the profession and enjoy all aspects, from the basics to the very technical, as well as helping clients on a day to day basis with their business needs.

I am a family man and, having got married in 2013, I now have two young children who keep me busy most weekends with football and dancing. When I am not at work or spending time with the family, I enjoy socialising with friends and when the opportunity arises, I like to play football and many other sports, although with a young family these are now the priority.

Contact: susan@devonportslas.co.uk

Susan Beattie BSc (hons), FFA FFTA FIPA - Director

I joined Devonports in January 2020 when they merged with the practice I was a partner in. I have been working in the accountancy industry since leaving school and have 25 years’ experience and am a fellow member of the Institute of Financial Accountants.

I have a range of clients and their businesses in my portfolio and have a vast knowledge of the construction industry scheme. I love helping my clients and there is nothing better than seeing them succeed and grow their businesses.

My son and stepchildren keep me very busy outside of work and I enjoy socialising with my friends and family when we can. Travelling is a great passion of mine and there a lot of places in the world I want to go and visit.

Contact: ben@devonportslas.co.uk

Ben Taylor AFA MIPA - Director

Since starting my accountancy career in 2011 I have amassed over 10 years’ experience in practice and after joining Devonports in 2017, I have worked my way up to Client Portfolio Manager.

I manage a wide range of clients, but mainly specialise in limited companies regulated under FRS102 and 102a. I also have great knowledge in VAT, CIS, corporate and personal tax and other technical matters, where I spend much of my time troubleshooting for clients.

I’m also a great advocate of paperless working and, as the digital age is upon us, I think it’s extremely important to use accountancy software to efficiently report real time information, especially with the upcoming MTD changes with HMRC.

Outside of accountancy I enjoy spending time with my wife and children, going to the gym, cars and fixing things.