Peak Accountancy Training
Advisory Board
Caroline and Clive, have between them worked in industry and in the training industry for around 65 years (scary!). However, as the owners of Peak they recognise how important it is to have support from those who have experience in providing education, and also from those in the accounting industry. These individuals can provide advice and challenge for the decisions being made. The advisory board meet every quarter and is made up of Caroline and Clive with challenge provided by Paul Blackshaw and Paul Boardman.
Mark Simpkins
Mark is an experienced Quality Consultant operating across the further education and skills sector through his own practice, Simpkins FE Quality Consulting. Over a career spanning more than twenty-five years, he has held senior quality leadership roles across independent training providers, colleges and employer providers, with a particular focus on vocational education and apprenticeships.
As nominee for a first full Ofsted inspection graded Outstanding, Mark understands what genuine educational excellence looks like in practice — and how a board can hold leadership constructively to account in pursuit of it. He brings current, hands-on governance experience, holding advisory and external governor positions with providers across the sector, alongside a working knowledge of AAT delivery, apprenticeships, End Point Assessment and the renewed Ofsted inspection framework.
Mark sees his role as a supportive one: asking the right questions and offering honest challenge, but always in a way that strengthens a leadership team rather than undermines it, and never losing sight of the learners behind the data. His core values of integrity, loyalty and stability shape every engagement he takes on.
Away from work, Mark is a keen footballer and volunteers as a manager for a local adult team, as well as looking after his three beloved dachshunds.
Paul Boardman
Following university, Paul trained and qualified as a CIMA accountant with Unilever plc. He subsequently transitioned his career into Executive Recruitment.
Previously a director in the 3i backed RK Group, which exited by way of a trade sale in 2005, he remained as a director in the new AIM listed business until 2010. Paul established his own company in 2011 in recruitment of accounting professionals. He has enjoyed both building the business and delivering a great service to clients ever since. Here at Peak, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge about the accounting industry to help Caroline, Clive and their dedicated team to maintain their position as a leading provider of accountancy training.Â
