Ajay Yadav

Managing Director

Ajay qualified as an accountant in 2001 and has worked in practice for over 30 years. As the founder and Managing Director of Berkeley Finch since its inception in 2012, Ajay has played a pivotal role in shaping the firm's trajectory. He has vast experience working with businesses of varying sizes, from start-ups and owner-managed businesses to large corporates.

Ajay’s primary work as the Managing Director is to oversee the delivery of high quality advice and services to new and existing clients. Whilst simultaneously being responsible for implementing the firm's development strategy and for providing leadership direction, he is continually reviewing the plans for taking the firm forward in the years ahead.

With a keen interest in looking after the business, personal and corporate tax affairs of owner-managers, in several cases he now supports the next generations, having looked after the parents, children, grandchildren and their respective companies over a 30-year period. On a larger scale, his tax experience means that he also deals with the firm’s more complex tax affairs pertaining to larger clients.

When not working, Ajay loves good food, both cooking and eating! He is also a passionate cricket fan and enjoys travelling around the world.

Louis Pattichi

Associate Director

Louis joined Berkeley Finch in 2023 at an integral point in the company’s growth. He specialises in auditing companies of all sizes, together with advising owner-managed businesses on business plans and forecasts, financial systems, internal controls and overall strategy.

Louis is passionate about facilitating the growth of his clients and enjoys building long-term relationships and sharing their business journey. He believes this comes down to actively listening and tailoring solutions accordingly. This personalised approach ensures that his clients receive the most effective guidance to achieve their business goals.

When not working, Louis likes to hit the tennis court where he channels his competitive spirit, and socialises with friends.

Alex Krase

Associate Director

Alex qualified as a chartered accountant in 2007 and has a wide range of experience in practice, where he has had the opportunity to be involved in varying aspects of accountancy, including audit and statutory assignments for Charities and Companies.

Alex joined Berkeley Finch in 2022 and is responsible for charity and limited company accounts work and some personal taxation.

In his spare time, Alex enjoys listening to music and watching films, either at the cinema or at home. He also likes walking and in recent years has completed the annual charity walk for a local hospice.

Shiv Fernandes

PA and Office Administrator

Shiv's journey with Berkeley Finch began in 2017, where her customer service and management experience seamlessly transitioned into her role as Personal Assistant to the Managing Director and Office Administrator.

In addition to her primary duties, Shiv provides unwavering support to the whole team, takes charge of Company Secretarial matters and excels in building rapport with clients, a facet of her work she deeply values. Shiv also values, and succeeds at, bringing the fun and playful side to a professional, dedicated and hardworking team (although she is usually the one laughing in the office).

Shiv has a love for music and new experiences exploring destinations rich in culture and history. She has also completed the Cancer Research Race for Life.

Amber Rae Bhanabhai

PA to Managing Director

With over 6 years of experience as a Personal Assistant, Amber brings a wealth of expertise supporting high-capacity C-Suite Executives and Directors across various sectors, including practice, property, and healthcare. Her journey to Berkeley Finch was preceded by valuable experience at a Top 30 accounting firm, where she honed her business acumen.

At Berkeley Finch, Amber plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth operations within the business, dedicated to process improvement initiatives and providing meticulous 1:1 support to the Managing Director.

Outside of office hours, Amber's adventurous spirit takes flight, often jet-setting to different continents throughout the year. Whether it's an impromptu European city break or a spontaneous road trip, Amber embraces her love of travelling with gusto, always seeking out new experiences and horizons.

Komal Savjani

Accounts and Private Client Tax Manager

Bringing over a decade of accounting expertise to the table, Komal has been an invaluable asset to Berkeley Finch since 2014. As a Fellow of the ACCA, she offers a comprehensive suite of services to her clients, including statutory accounts, management accounts, VAT compliance, corporation tax and HMRC enquiries.

As well as heading up the personal tax team, Komal enjoys working with both start-ups and established SMEs and has built long-term relationships with a large number of clients.

Komal is fluent in English, Gujarati and Hindi and when she isn't crunching numbers she enjoys exploring new countries, cooking new dishes, volunteering and spending quality time with her family.

Nika Mammad

Accounts and Audit Senior

Having joined Berkeley Finch in 2023, Nika, a Fellow of ACCA, brings a distinguished background from a prestigious Top 5 accounting firm.

With over 20 years of experience spanning sectors like oil and gas and financial services, Nika is a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of industry intricacies. Her experience has endowed her with a solid grasp of accounting principles and industry norms, enabling her to deliver top-notch financial services

Beyond her professional pursuits, Nika finds joy in long-distance running, reflecting her dedication to staying fit and engaged. This commitment to physical well-being mirrors her approach to her career, where she consistently strives for excellence and pushes herself to new heights.

Cherry Cho

Accounts Semi Senior

Having been in accounting since 2007, Cherry has over 17 years’ experience specialising in private clients of owner-managed businesses in a wide range of sectors including property, retail and bridging loan companies.

Cherry thrives on the dynamic nature of accounting services, relishing the challenge of solving problems for her clients. Her keen analytical mind and knack for navigating complexities make her a trusted advisor in financial matters. Whether it's untangling accounts intricacies or assisting with audits, Cherry approaches each task with precision and dedication.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Cherry finds solace and rejuvenation in activities like yoga, cycling, walking, and meditation. These practices not only contribute to her physical well-being but also foster mental clarity and resilience, enabling her to tackle challenges with a calm and focused mindset.

Dhrupa Sompura

Accounts and Audit Semi Senior

Dhrupa joined Berkeley Finch in 2022 with over 15 years’ experience working with owner-managed businesses. She is AAT qualified and ACCA part qualified. The primary focus of her role is working on Statutory Accounts, Management Accounts and VAT returns.

Dhrupa's role is further augmented by her certification as a Xero advisor and QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor. Leveraging her expertise in cloud-based software, she not only manages clients' financial affairs efficiently but also provides training to them, ensuring they make the most of these digital tools.

When Dhrupa is not steering clients in the right direction, she is a personal chauffeur to her two boys and works on her badminton skills.

Nastasia Nichitoi

Payroll Manager and Accounts Junior

Nastasia is a junior accountant and payroll manager with over 6 years’ experience in practice. With a solid background in mathematics and computer science, she has honed her skills to ensure meticulous accuracy and efficiency in managing financial records. Her achievements include streamlining accounting processes for numerous small businesses.

Beyond the numbers, you'll often find her exploring the great outdoors, whether it's on a motorcycle, cruising or embarking on adventurous hikes during the weekends. These activities fuel her passion for life and complement her dedication to maintaining balance and precision in her professional career.

She is committed to delivering a top-notch accounting service tailored to your needs, with a blend of expertise and reliability.

Patryk Pochec

Accounts Semi Senior

Currently working towards his ACCA qualification, Patryk specialises in VAT and bookkeeping at Berkeley Finch. Patryk serves not only as a skilled user of digital software, but also as a trainer, ensuring his colleagues are equipped to leverage these tools effectively. Clients working with Patryk can expect commitment and attention to detail.

Before heading into the world of finance, Patryk honed his craft as a professional chef, gracing the kitchens of some of the world's most renowned restaurants, evident even in his office lunches, which remain impressive.

Outside of the workplace, Patryk continues to indulge his passion for cooking while maintaining a strong focus on health and fitness. Patryk's dedication shines through in all aspects of his life.

Steven Craig

Compliance Assistant

Having previously run his own business and navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship, Steve brings a unique perspective to his compliance role at Berkeley Finch. He is equipped with practical insights into regulatory compliance and risk management.

Steve plays a crucial role at Berkeley Finch as he assists the Managing Director in ensuring compliance within the company. With a specific focus on client onboarding, Steve oversees the implementation of a robust KYC process to uphold compliance with Anti-Money Laundering regulations.

Some of Steve’s many outside-of-work interests include competing in Triathlons, playing chess, long-distance cycling, and playing squash at county standard. He has competed in many chess competitions and even completed an Ironman Triathlon in Monaco.

Barry Champsi

Senior Consultant

Barry is a qualified Chartered Accountant and consultant at Berkeley Finch, boasting a wealth of experience in the management consulting industry. Barry has been in practice for over 40 years, dealing with a varied portfolio of clients with speciality in the Hotel & Leisure industry. His proficiency in handling start-ups, strategic planning, and offering high-level consultancy to large companies at the Board level positions him as a trusted advisor in the financial realm.

Barry's skill set makes him a valuable asset to Berkeley Finch, where he leverages his expertise to provide clients with tailored solutions that drive tangible results. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, Barry excels in navigating complex business landscapes, identifying opportunities for growth, and implementing effective solutions.