I am a partner within the Insolvency, Forensic and Restructuring group, heading up Forensic and Investigation Services.
As a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the ICAEW, I have specialised in accounting and commercial disputes since 2001, acting as expert witness or adviser or as expert determiner of disputed accounting issues. Prior to specialising in forensics, I was an auditor.
I lead the firm’s cross-disciplinary accounting integrity and conduct practice group, advising on:
- accounting irregularities, misstatements and fraud
- professional negligence and associated professional indemnity claims
- regulatory matters relating to auditors and accountants.
I support subject matter experts (eg an auditor) to act as expert witness on breach in professional negligence claims and I have significant experience in regulatory enquiries by the Financial Reporting Council, which investigates matters affecting the public interest. I act as expert on financial causation and quantum of loss issues in professional negligence and other accounting and commercial disputes in litigation or arbitration.
I am recognised as a Global Leader in Who's Who Legal 2024 for expert witnesses, which quotes: "Philippa is a very impressive expert", "She has an excellent ability to work under pressure". Her 2022 entry says "a strong expert with a leading reputation". Her 2021 entry notes: "Philippa is very thorough and possesses an impressive depth of expertise in professional negligence matters".
As a leading member of the firm’s cross-firm SPA advisory practice I advise parties pre-deal on the accounting terms of the sale and purchase agreement and purchase price adjustment mechanisms, helping to mitigate the risk of disputes and guarding against value leakage for parties. I am a specialist in SPA dispute resolution, acting as expert determiner, expert witness or party adviser, including post-deal disputes involving:
- Completion accounts
- Earn outs and other deferred consideration
- Breach of warranty
- Warranty and indemnity claims
- Fraudulent misrepresentation
Who's Who Legal for Expert Witnesses: the 2020 client comments note my "precision and calmness" and commend my "writing style, technical excellence, and specialist knowledge in the SPA dispute arena".
I have given evidence and been cross-examined in a number of cases, including in the English High Court and in arbitration, criminal and regulatory matters. Who's Who Legal 2019 refers to my "ability to respond calmly in questioning and withstand hostile cross-examination". One source commented: "She is able to assimilate information and present coherent and strong arguments and analyses".
In a personal capacity, I am a trustee, director and Chair of Risk and Finance Committee of a national charity called ‘Pause – creating space for change’, which provides intensive support to women at risk of having children removed from their care.
