Board of Directors
Alistair O'Reilly
MD of the Access Technology Group
Alistair O'Reilly is the Group MD for the Access Technology Group and founder of Access Accounting, which he set up in 1991. His vision and passion for business software has seen the Group achieve consistent growth and profitability through the innovative use of IT, ensuring emerging mainstream technologies are usable by, and affordable to, medium-sized companies in the UK and Ireland.
With 30 years in the IT and software industry, his wealth of experience - and that of his team - has helped to benefit more than 10,000 companies that have chosen Access Accounting's solutions. Known for his infectious enthusiasm he has infused the business with his energetic leadership style which has played a huge part in the organisation's success. As a result, Access Accounting has seen many firsts to market including the first true Windows accounting solution, the first integrated middleware and the first in-built business intelligence. In 2008, the award-winning company released a completely integrated solution to account for carbon emissions, allowing businesses to easily measure their carbon footprint.
Having led the acquisition of three IT organisations, he set up parent company Access Technology Group in 2006. Access Supply Chain, Asyst Solutions and Access Accounting Ireland now sit alongside Access Accounting. The Group acquired its fifth subsidiary Armstrong Consultants in April 2008, consolidating its position as the UK's leading mid-market business and accounting software supplier.
John Beech
Managing Director
John Beech is on the Board of Directors of Access Technology Group and is the Managing Director of Access Accounting, the UK's leading business software house.
He joined Access Accounting in the early 90s as Customer Services Director, where his broad-reaching role included quality assurance, support and product management. Previously the owner of an IT company providing accounting software, hardware and maintenance services, his professional experience spans almost every area of business - from software design and engineering through to customer service, marketing and sales.
In January 2006, he was named Managing Director for Access Accounting, assuming full responsibility for the running of the business and now leads a team of 130. Known for his enthusiastic, personable approach, John is passionate about the software and its part in helping growing organisations gain increased business advantage. His keen eye for spotting exceptional talent has also been pivotal in helping the company deliver ground breaking solutions that continue to simplify business.
Together with Access Accounting's founding director, Alistair O'Reilly, John is focused on developing the company's commitment to innovation and development and maintaining agility to respond to changing business needs in the fast paced technological environment.
Tony Barrow
Sales Director
Having joined Access Accounting in 1992, I soon became Sales Director of this young, innovative company. Since then, I have been in charge of recruiting a host of UK and international partners to build the Access community to what it is today. Now responsible for generating over £8m of annual revenue, I am more passionate than ever about bringing the Access solution to the mass market!
When I am not presenting, demonstrating or driving, I like to spend time with my family which includes three children of 9, 15 and 16 years. My leisure time is spent either playing tennis, football or driving go-karts - and when I have to, weeding and feeding my garden!
Ian Little
Finance Director
Ian Little is the Group Finance Director for Access Technology Group and has been the FD for Access Accounting since 2000. Having led three acquisitions - Access Accounting Ireland, Asyst Solutions and Access Supply Chain - he then played an instrumental part in formalising the structure of the Access Technology Group in 2006. Most recently he was involved in the acquisition of Armstrong Consultants.
Ian originally joined Access Accounting in 1997 as Business Development Manager, providing the services of a finance director to Access Specialist Centres around the UK, helping them to prudently grow their businesses. He was then appointed Head of Finance in 1998, leading Access Accounting's finance team, before being promoted to FD in 2000, where he took on full responsibility for the finance function.
Trained by Deloitte & Touche in London, Ian started his career within the company's Corporate Recovery and Restructuring Department where he was part of the first group authorised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) to train outside of the audit department. In the late 80's, he worked on the high profile liquidation of Bank of Credit & Commerce International (BCCI).
Ian moved to East Anglia in 1992, where he set up the Corporate Recovery Department for Ernst & Young, before moving to KPMG to lead the Ipswich Corporate Recovery Team, helping to make it the leading practice in East Anglia for bank-led work.
Ian is a member of the ICAEW, including their IT Faculty and the Finance & Management Faculty.
Kevin Misselbrook
Customer Services Director
Kevin Misselbrook is responsible for the support and customer services that Access Accounting provides to its customers and resellers. His role also entails representing the company's interests at government and industry level and input into the company's product strategy.
Kevin joined Access Accounting in 1997 having spent the previous 16 years in the IT industry where he specialised in the delivery of financial software to commercial businesses and the accountancy profession. His roles at Access Accounting have been broad, ranging from product management, to the creation of a professional services team. In January 2006 Kevin was appointed to the Board of Directors at Access Accounting to look after the Customer Services side of the business.
Kevin is Deputy Chairman of the Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA), Chairman of the BASDA Special Interest Group on Financial software, and also serves on the IT faculty committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Kevin is currently working with HM Revenue & Customs on the new BSI standard for VAT Accounting (PAS76). He also serves on the BASDA Special Interest Group for Green IT and is an active proponent of the need for companies to account for their carbon emissions.
Stuart Allsopp
Director of Innnovations
I rejoined the Access team more than nine years ago from the reseller channel. Over that time, I have held various positions in the company, giving me a keen understanding of the business here at Access that is hard to beat.
I have also had the privilege to follow my true passion for creativity and design. Having led the way in bringing integration to our products with Transaction Broker and the development toolsets, our team here has provided unsurpassed integration with the Microsoft Office suite.
Now I lead a team of "Product Managers" who are dedicated to innovating and managing the solutions offered by Access. We draw our inspiration from our understanding and empathy for the business challenges that "users" come across everyday.
I am a competitive guy, who always wants to be first. Access has given me the opportunity to drive that need by delivering "first to market applications" time and time again.
For kicks as it were, I enjoy village life on the "Sunshine Coast" of Essex with bracing walks in the local countryside or along the beach, although preferably in the summer.
Barry Anderson
Marketing Director
My 25 years in business have encompassed blue chip, medium-sized and small company experience. Initially in manufacturing and operations management, I moved towards the commercial side of business several years ago, and my career has included four years on the Board of Rotary Watches Ltd. I joined Access in mid-2004 having also run my own management consultancy business. Life here at Access is interesting and full of challenges, as we continue our drive to grow the business and to become the software that every user recommends.
When not at work I play bass in a local pub band as well as enjoying cycling to work and back - but mainly during the warmer months!
Richard Hibbler
Development Director
I have been involved in developing accounting and business solutions for nearly 25 years and have been the Development Director at Access from the very beginning. Working closely with the software engineering and quality teams I am responsible for all areas of software production at Access. There are lots of rewarding aspects in my role but the most reward comes from working with the highly talented group of individuals that forms the Development team which continually produces great software.
Outside of Access I make sure I spend as much time as possible with my wife and 2 children and I am also actively involved in a number of Christian projects both locally and in Uganda and Sudan. I enjoy football (watching not playing) and as a Norwich City season ticket holder I look forward to the 'friendly' banter in the office when Norwich play either Colchester or Ipswich who are the 2 local teams supported by many at Access!
Liz Kent
Office Manager
As Office Manager, my role at Access is to be the HUB of the business. This allows me to be involved in a wide range of the business activities and work with just about every person in the company. In addition, I run the Administration and Reception teams which allows me to enjoy my favourite pastime - meeting customers!
We have an array of staff and business culture programs running at Access which enable us to continually work towards two specific goals (1) To produce the software that every user recommends, and (2) to be the very best company to work for. My personal involvement here centres mainly on the Human Resources area, which means that I have regular staff development sessions with every individual in the whole team - I love helping others, especially over a nice cup of tea!
When not at work, I usually wish I was! But when I can be dragged away I enjoy my lovely family including Ian, my husband, and my two, recently married, daughters. Other pastimes, pending my first grandchild (no pressure girls) include bridge, gardening and golf.
