Month: June 2025

When Elinor Perry raises a glass to her 20 years at the helm of Pentlands Accountants and Advisors at a special event in Leamington next week, it will give her cause for both celebration and reflection.

Fittingly, the anniversary coincides with her receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ladies First Inspirational Awards at the IXL Centre in Southam earlier this month.

But Elinor’s journey began as a trainee at Marks and Spencer’s at the age of 16 after leaving school with a clutch of O-levels to her name. Only two years later a speculative job application resulted in a role as Tesco’s youngest ever Personnel Manager, heading up a 250-strong team.

New-found ambitions were tested however when, at the age of just 19, Elinor fell pregnant with her son, Joel and, eight years later, became a single mum of two following the birth of her daughter Lucy and subsequent marriage breakdown.

But it was during a period of entrepreneurship, running her own retail fashion business at 23, that opened her eyes to what finally became her successful career path.

She recalls: “I always describe the shop as a great learning curve, but a really bad idea! I did the bookkeeping and learned how to use the accounting software.

“At that time I had this very old-fashioned accountant who was sat in his pinstripe suit on the opposite side of the desk, with his fountain pen and he said to me: ‘Here’s your accounts. Sign here young lady’ and handed over a biro. And I thought, I don’t know what I’m signing, but I was suitably intimidated, so signed the accounts!

“So, when I moved from Gloucestershire to Warwickshire in 1997 as a single mum, I thought, I can’t go back into this retail world. It’s long hours and it just doesn’t work with two young children. That’s when my dad said: ‘You enjoyed the bookkeeping, why don’t you do something with that?’ “

She added: “I started the qualification at Warwickshire College and I wanted to get a part-time job in accountancy but recruiters basically laughed at me and said I had to be prepared to work full time, and at 30 I was too old! They wanted to take on people who were straight out of university, but I was not deterred.”

Her tenacity led Elinor to Edwards and Pentlands in Warwick, where she wasted no time – studying until the early hours around her parenting responsibilities to acquire her ACCA accreditation.

And it was while she was still completing her final exams that Elinor was made a surprise offer.

“In 2005, I did a management buyout from the existing owners of the business – aged 34 – only six months after I’d completed my final exams!” she said.

“So I borrowed some money, along with my business partner at the time but ended up buying her out in 2010. It was a bit hair-raising for the first 10 years. It’s fair to say it’s been an unusual journey with some highs and lows.”

A theme also familiar to her personal life – from the lows of a second failed marriage to dog trainer and Channel 5 personality Graeme Hall, to finding love again with her partner Ian and, more recently becoming a proud grandmother to Olivia and Noah.

Now the focus for Elinor and her 12-strong team is on celebrating success – and at a garden party at Mallory Court on June 25^th they’ll be joined by invited friends, associates and clients, some of whom have been with Pentlands for up to 30 years.

Elinor said: “A real achievement for me is building a business that is all about the people. We genuinely care and are very proud of the client relationships we’ve built over the years. And we’ve helped generations of families where their children are now running the business because the parents have retired. It just feels like a great opportunity to mark the 20 years and to say thank you.”

“I think what I’m most proud of though is always having that belief in myself that I can do it and trusting my gut, even in the testing times when things felt really tough. Everybody who’s in business knows that there are highs and lows, and showing vulnerability in those times where you need support is important!”

Of her recent award, she added: “This was a real ‘pinch me’ moment and completely unexpected. It makes 2025 an even more special year, and I was so pleased that friends, clients, and members of the Pentlands team were there to share in the moment with me.”

Pentlands Accountants and Advisors is a chartered certified firm dedicated to helping SMEs manage, grow, and maximise the value of their businesses.

With a friendly, proactive approach, the team doesn’t just “do the books” but offers strategic guidance on everything from tax planning, cloud-based bookkeeping, and payroll to business growth, exit strategies, and HMRC investigations.

Located just outside Warwick, the firm prides itself on working closely with clients to simplify the complex, support day-to-day operations, and provide tailored advice that delivers real impact to business owners.

Good sports are being asked to get on their marks for the Leamington Spa Half Marathon, on Sunday (June 15th.)

The announcement also reveals Warwickshire’s Safeline as the official charity partner for the race, which is in its eighth year.

The specialist Warwickshire charity is dedicated to preventing sexual abuse and supporting those affected. Safeline offers a wide range of vital services, including free counselling, helplines, Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs), and national support services such as the Male Survivor Helpline and Online Counselling for survivors.

Runners will have the option to enter the race for free by committing to fundraising £100 for Safeline, and a portion of the profits from the race will be donated directly to the charity, helping to fund its ongoing work supporting individuals and families in need.

Starting and finishing at the iconic Royal Pump Rooms, the 13-mile route heads north out of the town through scenic villages and farms and fields.

The race, which has sold out for the past seven years, is organised by Raceways Events, a community interest company which is also behind the Alcester 10K.

David Poole, Event Manager for Raceways, said: “It is our great pleasure to team up with a new charity this year and are delighted to have Safeline come on board. A big thank you to all of our volunteers old and new. And every entry to the race helps us to support Safeline in continuing to provide its invaluable service.”

All runners receive a finisher’s medal as well as the option to purchase a race T-shirt. Youngsters also have the chance to step up and do their bit for the charity by taking part in the Kids Fun Run, which is free to enter with all entrants receiving a medal. Runners will benefit from chip timing, post-race snacks and the option to purchase race photography to capture their achievement.

The #LeamHalf Event Village at the Pump Room Gardens will be buzzing with activities, family entertainment, food, and drink – all just steps away from the finish line and kids’ zone. It’s more than just a race – it’s a celebration of community, fitness, and local pride.

Returning as headline sponsor for the second year, Thomas Flavell & Sons Solicitors, based in Leamington, are again fielding a team of staff and clients, showing their commitment to both fitness and community engagement.  They are joined by new sponsors this year, Bravissimo – a national brand with Leamington roots.

Cathy Berman, Marketing Director said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Leamington Half Marathon this year! With Bravissimo HQ based in Leamington Spa and our Leamington shop part of the high street, we are so proud to be supporting our local community and wish all of this year’s runners the very best of luck.”

Other sponsors include: Fire & Earth, sports therapy and massage provider; Hotpod Yoga; CJS Events; HiQ Tyres & Autocare; Coventry Runner independent specialist running shop; and Winkworth Estate Agents.

Traffic management for the event will be handled by Traffix, ensuring minimal disruption to the local community. Dormer Place and the lower part of The Parade will be closed between 6am and 2pm. Priory Terrace, Leam Terrace (West), Willes Road, Lillington Road, Cubbington Road, Windmill Hill, Offchurch Road, Cross Lane, New Street, Church Lane, Rugby Road B4453, Hunningham Road, Main Street, Long Itchington Road, Offchurch Road, Welsh Road, Village Street, Offchurch Lane, Radford Road and Leam Terrace (East) will be closed between 6am and 12.15pm.

Entries are now open – visit www.leamingtonspahalfmarathon.co.uk for more details. For enquiries, contact: David on 07895 321020 or email David@raceways.org.uk

Raceways events

Raceways Events is a Community Interest Company based in Leamington Spa, founded in 2009 by lifelong friends and competitive athletes Martine Verweij and Catherine O’Carroll.

Since its launch, Raceways has organised more than 60 running and triathlon events in Warwickshire including the Leamington Spa Half Marathon, Alcester 10k, Moreton Morrell Mad Dash and Christmas Cracker, The Shakespeare Raceways Series at Long Marston as well as The Avenger middle distance triathlon at Ragley Hall and many off-road events.

For over 10 years, Raceways Events supported children’s charity Marathon Kids UK, helping to inspire children to become more active through running.

Safeline

Established in 1994, Safeline is a specialist charity that works to prevent sexual abuse and support those affected to cope and recover.

Their vision is that everyone affected by or at risk of sexual abuse should feel supported and empowered to make choices about the lives they want.

Their services include providing prevention/early intervention services to help prevent child sexual abuse and effective early support to children and young people who are at risk throughout England and Wales; counselling and therapeutic support to survivors of sexual abuse throughout England and Wales; independent, non-judgmental emotional and practical support to anyone who has experienced historical or recent sexual abuse and education and training to prevent and address sexual abuse throughout England and Wales.