about us >

Partners

F S K Durrani FCA (FSKD@CLBgatwick.co.uk)
Farouk qualified in 1974 with Menzies and joined Thomson McLintock (now part of KPMG) in their London Office.  Farouk rose to the position of Audit Manager with McLintocks, where he eventually ran, (together with John Pannett), one of the five main audit groups in the London office, before forming Durrani, Pannett & Co in 1981.

Having established Durrani, Pannett & Co in Horley for over 20 years, the firm merged with the Reigate Office of CLB to form CLB Gatwick LLP.

Farouk originally worked for a medium-sized firm before joining what was then the 6th largest firm in the UK at McLintocks.  There he oversaw a wide range of large companies and particular multi-national companies with an American influence.  At Durrani, Pannett & Co, Farouk re-learnt some of his earlier skills in dealing with smaller businesses, but was also able to bring his experience of dealing with larger firms owned by American holding companies.  As a result, Farouk has considerable experience, particularly in transfer pricing issues and the different aspects of both UK and American reporting.

Farouk is a member of the Rotary Club of Horley, of which he has been President (twice) and is currently, yet again, the Treasurer.

A B Higgs FCA (ABH@CLBgatwick.co.uk)
After qualifying with Williams Stoker & Co, which was later to become Brewers, Alan moved to Whinney Murray to widen his experience.

He then joined the family firm Stringer Higgs & Co operating from Moorgate, and following relocations, retirements and amalgamations, linked up with CLB in Reigate in 1987.

He has been principally concerned with proprietorial businesses and professional partnerships with some consultancy and non-executive directorship roles.

Over the years he has been closely involved with a number of local sporting organisations and family companies and, as a result of long associations has become increasingly involved with executorship and Estate planning aspects.

His outside interests include squash and golf, with the emphasis more on the social rather than competitive side.

M R Neve FCA (MRN@CLBgatwick.co.uk)
Martin joined the profession in 1974 with Mellors Basden & Co, a firm that can trace its origins back to 1852.  Although a small firm, Martin had the opportunity to work on clients that ranged from top FTSE100 Companies through to family-run groups and small personal tax cases. 

In the 1970’s and early 1980’s, the firm went through various mergers, eventually becoming part of CLB, which decided to open an office in Reigate in 1978, with Martin joining it in 1981.

Having developed the Reigate Office, Martin was instrumental in negotiations to create CLB Gatwick LLP. 

Martin has looked after a series of large companies and has also managed to obtain clients with very different backgrounds, with large charity clients and even one National Union.

This experience in the diversity of businesses was recognised by one of the local Building Societies,which first invited him to become a Board Director in 1995 and, since 2003, its Chairman.  This role is regulated closely by the UK Financial Services Authorities. The recent problems in the banking sector demonstrate that good governance is central to such organisations. 

Martin always likes to take part in the community and as such, on a voluntary basis, he acts as a School Governor and is Treasurer or Independent Examiner of several voluntary organisations.

Shortly after moving to Reigate in the 1980’s, Martin and his family moved to the Surrey Hills and have been there ever since.  Walking up and down the hills with the dog keeps him fit, but on top of that, he often manages to cycle to the office and back.

J C Pannett BSc FCA (JCP@CLBgatwick.co.uk)
John graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in Chemistry in 1972.  The job market at the time for Chemists was very poor and to get into business, one needed some training.  John joined Thomson McLintock in 1972 and qualified with them in 1976. He stayed on to eventually become audit manager where, together with Farouk Durrani, they ran one of the five main audit groups of the London Office.

In 1981, John and Farouk formed Durrani, Pannett & Co in Horley, Surrey.  Having worked on some of the largest companies in the country at his time with McLintocks, Durrani, Pannett & Co required completely different skills for clients with completely different requirements.  The variety of work that is carried out for our clients makes life interesting as an Accountant and we can truly say that there isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t learn something new from a situation.  John acts as the Managing Partner for the administration of the firm, but also heads the Tax Department and has his own portfolio of Accounting and Auditing Clients.  Whilst John deals with a wide range of clients, he has been involved with the restaurant sector for many years.  John acts as the Joint Contact Partner in respect of the Polaris International Association both for requests from our existing clients for assistance abroad and corresponding requests from our overseas associates for work to be carried out in the UK.

John is an active (if not proficient) golfer and tennis player. In his spare time (?) he has served on the local Chamber of Commerce as Chairman (twice) and Treasurer.  Presently, he is a Councillor for Limpsfield Parish Council.