Agriculture & Rural Business

Jose Antonio De Mayne Hopkins

Technical Director ESG

Jose is an ESG risk assessment expert with more than 11 years of big 4 experience auditing global large listed groups and complex entities within the Agricultural, Renewable, Technology and Mining sectors. In the last 2 years Jose has been applying his in-depth technical understanding of environmental (including climate risk), social, governance, accounting, assurance and financial reporting standards to support, validate and challenge organisations translate and disclose material ESG related risks and opportunities.

Jose’s is passionate about a transparent and fair presentation of climate change reporting, consideration of material ESG risks and net zero transition plans.

Jose strong technical knowledge and understanding of the Task Force of Climate Related Disclosures (“TCFD”) strategic framework helps Jose provide support to a wider range of business in developing a resilient ESG strategy, setting up responsibilities for the Board and Management, integration of material risks in the risk management framework and support the alignment and evaluation of material ESG risks in the IFRS financial statements.

In April 2022, Jose was appointed to MHA MacIntyre Hudson as ESG Technical Director responsible of supporting the development of the firms internal and external ESG strategy and to continue to challenge ESG related disclosures and to advise and support a wider range of business and industries in implementing a dynamic ESG strategy.

Neil Berry

Tax Partner

Neil is a Chartered Tax Adviser with over 25 years experience. Starting his career at a local medium sized practice, Neil moved to Edinburgh to join a big 4 international practice where he qualified. Spending time in the private client department, he gained experience in tax planning for high net worth individuals and their associated businesses.

Moving back to the Midlands, Neil then spent 3 years specialising in VAT before moving to London to work for a top 20 firm of accountants. Advising on all areas of tax, in particular corporate, international and financial products, Neil now focuses on bringing a wealth of city and big 4 experience to the firm’s clients.

In his spare time he plays polo and enjoys other country pursuits.

Joe Spencer

Partner

Specialising in the Agriculture & Rural Business sector Joe has developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing farming businesses today. He advises clients from small family farms through to larger commercial enterprises on various issues such as diversification projects, business restructuring, succession planning and benchmarking.

His experience within the agricultural sector enables him to offer considered and insightful solutions to sometimes difficult situations. Taking time to understand not only the business structure but also the family dynamics allows Joe to fully appreciate these relationships and to factor these in when suggesting inheritance tax and other succession planning strategies.

Joe is also involved in advising businesses operating within pharmaceutical and life science sectors. In particular, assisting with tax planning and structuring, and providing a full range of compliance services.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor

Partner

Mark specialises in the rural business, agriculture, horticulture, food manufacture, education and healthcare industries as well as supporting organisations from a wide range of sectors to develop and deliver impactful sustainability and ESG strategies. 

As one of the authors of the firm's Dynamic ESG service suite, Mark is well placed to guide business leaders through the process of integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into their operations with an emphasis on measurable outcomes and RoI.  

Mark has worked in both the public sector and private enterprise, bringing a dedication and enthusiasm to the unique challenges each provides. With an auditor's eye for detail, he has become known for his sharp insights and capacity for business transformation. 

Mark has won numerous awards for his work including National Finance Director of the Year 2007, the ICAEW's National Accounting for Sustainability award in 2012, Finance Director magazine's National Business Finance Director 2014, the Institute for Fiscal Turnaround's Public Sector Award 2016 and the Institute of Directors' Blue Ribbon for Governance and Finance Excellence in 2018. 

He is also a trustee of a charity delivering education in Ethiopia, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, a Member of the Guild of Freemen and a Member of the CBI's South East Council. 

Mark re-joined MHA MacIntyre Hudson again in 2019 having originally trained here in 1997.