Our team

Nigel Rea FCA Director

Joined Mitchells: 1997

Qualifications & Achievements:

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Nigel is a Director at Mitchells Grievson and plays a significant role in the overall management of the firm.

With extensive experience across all areas of professional practice including: auditing, accounting, taxation, due diligence assignments, and other corporate finance matters, Nigel works with a range of businesses including start ups, SME’s and subsidiaries of multi-national corporations. Nigel also specialises in the healthcare sector, working for a number of dental practices and care homes.

Nigel has a passion for learning and professional development. Within Mitchells Grievson, he manages the firm’s training programme each year, inspiring young talent with a career that has spanned over many years.

Nigel started his accountancy career at Mitchells Grievson in 1997, where he trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant before quickly progressing to practice partner at the age of 31.

Nigel is married with three sons. In his spare time, he enjoys watching his boys’ various sporting activities and enjoys dining out and home cooking.

Phil Harnby FCA Director

Joined Mitchells: 2018

Qualifications & Achievements:

Phil is a Fellow of the ICAEW and has over 20 years accounting experience and knowledge.  He has worked at various accountancy practices across the North East and is adept in dealing with owner managed businesses of a range of sizes with turnovers exceeding £30m.

Prior to joining Mitchells Grievson Phil has been a Director of a large Newcastle based practice specialising in the Healthcare Sector and looking after clients across the UK. Within this role he has specialised in the ever changing environment of the NHS, allowing him to gain invaluable experience in change management and the challenges this brings to clients.  Phil has been instrumental in building a specialist medical/healthcare accountancy arm of the business which is proving extremely successful and popular amongst professional in the industry.   

Phil has also presented on financial topics at national events, written for various national publications and provided financial training on a national level to the medical and healthcare sectors.

Having previously worked at Mitchells Grievson Phil understands the specific needs their clients have from a firm of Chartered Accountants. From tax and accounting advice, to support around business growth and transition. Phil’s approach has always been to be there for his clients, business never knows what is around the corner and you need the support of a great firm of business advisors to be there for you when they are needed most. Phil’s strengths focus around a can do attitude to provide whatever support his clients need, backed up by a hugely successful team.

Phil spends most of his time looking after his young daughter which certainly keeps him on his toes. He also has an active role as a Trustee / Treasurer for a number of charities on both a regional and national level.

Claire Wilson FCA Associate

Joined Mitchells: 2005

Qualifications & Achievements:

A Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (FCA).

Claire started her career in accounting over 17 years ago and joined our practice back in 2005. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2011 and progressed to a manager in 2012. She manages a diverse and varied portfolio of clients that operate in a variety of industries including construction, property development, leisure and hospitality. She also manages several corporate clients operating overseas dealing with all VAT and accounting matters.

Claire deals with all areas of audit, accounting, VAT and taxation matters including personal tax, corporate tax and tax planning. As a manager, she focuses on growing and supporting her team to ensure the highest level of service is provided to our clients, whilst maintaining excellent attention to detail.

Claire specialises in statutory audits of our small and medium sized clients and independent examinations for a range of charities, social clubs, working men’s clubs and associations. She is also the firms specialist in the Solicitors Accounts Rules, acting for several clients in that sector.

Outside of work Claire enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dog Brian. Claire loves to travel, aiming to visit a new destination at least once a year, and is a keen sports fan. She also has an active role as a Trustee and Treasurer for a local charity.

Helen Griffiths MAAT Payroll Manager

Joined Mitchells: 1999

Qualifications & Achievements:

Helen is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

Helen joined Mitchells Grievson in 1999 as an admin apprentice, then studied for her AAT qualification that she achieved in 2007.

Helen has been involved with payroll since 2000 and deals with the real time affairs of over 150 businesses on a weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis including the Auto Enrolment regulations that all employers must adhere to. As well as payroll, Helen is also involved with the bookkeeping for several clients and regularly provides local businesses with SAGE training.

When Helen is not at work, she can be found playing E Flat Bass with Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band, in her kitchen decorating cakes or making cards. Helen also likes to do her bit for charity by organising various fundraising events.

Lesley Miller Accounts Senior

Joined Mitchells: 2020

Qualifications & Achievements:

Lesley has extensive experience in providing accountancy services to SME’s across a broad spectrum of sectors. Lesley’s key responsibilities at Mitchells Grievson Chartered Accountants includes preparing year end accounts, calculating the corporation tax due, preparation and submission of VAT Returns. A keen eye for detail and outstanding organisational skills, Lesley is committed to providing the best possible outcomes for clients.

Outside of work Lesley enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dog Travis. Lesley has a passion for running and is currently team captain of the Darlington Harriers Ladies Cross Country running team.

Sylwia Woolley AAT Accounts Senior

Joined Mitchells: 2019

Qualifications & Achievements:

Sylwia joined Mitchells Grievson following 4 years’ experience of working in bookkeeping for various GP Practices, so has a wealth of knowledge within the healthcare sector. Sylwia is extremely ambitious, focussed and committed towards her continued professional development and is now studying for her chartered qualification.

In Sylwia’s current role as Accounts Senior she is responsible for the preparation and submission of accounts and VAT returns as well as bookkeeping for SME’s across a range of business sectors.

Outside of work Sylwia enjoys cooking, baking, walking and (if it’s not too wet) cycling.

Daniela Gummerson FCCA Accounts Senior

Joined Mitchells: 2020

Qualifications & Achievements:

Daniela began her accountancy career in 1996, working towards her qualification as an Accounting Technician. After gaining the AAT qualification she progressed towards the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification, which she achieved in 2002 having subsequently become a fellow member of the ACCA in 2007.

Daniela has worked entirely in accountancy practices throughout her career. With over 24 years of experience in accountancy, Daniela has helped clients in almost every sector. She has enjoyed every aspect of the role that has included preparing yearly accounts for a wide range of businesses in the private sector. Daniela has undertaken audit work, management accounts preparation, VAT returns including VAT investigations and has experience of payroll, bookkeeping as well as advising clients on most aspects of their finances.

Daniela joined Mitchells Grievson in 2020 with vast accountancy knowledge and depth of skills. As an Accounts Senior Daniela’s main role is to assist and support clients in the preparation of their year-end accounts and tax returns with a particular focus on limited companies and doctors accounts. On a day to day basis, Daniela is responsible for a portfolio of clients covering a wide range of industries including the healthcare sector.

Outside of work, Daniela likes to spend time with her family and loves visiting new places. She is a keen theatre goer and enjoys anything to do with art.

Sarah Armstrong AATQB Accountant

Joined Mitchells: 2019

Qualifications & Achievements:

Sarah is an ambitious and driven individual who aims to be qualified to Chartered level, she has successfully completed her AAT level 2 & 3 qualifications and has already started level 4.

Sarah joined Mitchells Grievson after leaving the family business after 2 years in a varied role which involved customer services, administration and invoicing. Sarah currently works as an Accounts Technician preparing accounts, VAT returns and one of her main roles is producing annual returns and Companies House confirmation statements. Preparing accounts, interacting and helping clients is what Sarah enjoys mostly about her role.

Sarah enjoys socialising with friends and travelling. She loves dogs and has a 1 year old Hungarian Vizsla called Harry, plus 2 labradoodles Amber and Rosie which keep her extremely busy.