Meet the Team

The Board

Aileen Ritchie
Director & Non Exec Chairman
Susan Pash
Director & CEO
Sarah Lysandrou CIMA
Finance Director
Aidan Loy
Director & Solicitor
Andrew Thornhill KC
Non Exec Director & Barrister
Neil Gray BA FCA CF
Non-Executive Director & COFA

Advisory Committee

Max Eppel
Barrister (Non-Practising)
(Advisory Committee Member)
Grant Robshaw
Chartered Accountant (FCA)
(Advisory Committee Member)

Legal Team

Howard Epstein
Head of Legal
Luke Menzies
Barrister & Solicitor
Kevone Morris
Paralegal
Funmilayo Abimbola
Barrister & Solicitor
Candice Rochford
Solicitor Advocate
(Non-practising)
Gaynor Beckett
Solicitor

Senior Managers

Nicola Jones
Claims Manager
Steve Bennett
Onboarding Manager
Peter Fletcher
Business Development Manager

I.T.

Andrew Scoffings
Head of I.T
Mark Coker
Web & Social Media Manager

Aileen Ritchie

Director & Non Exec Chairman

Aileen was the founder of C4J Ltd in conjunction with Nicola Jones. 

Aileen qualified as a nurse on Level 1 of the register in 1984 in a hospital setting. A few months after qualifying she was promoted to staff nurse, involved in direct care, management and staff training, she was instrumental in the preparation of teams catering for patients movement to the Community in line with Government Policy

Following this, Aileen was instrumental in developing a facility supporting family based clients with respite, emergency care and assessment as a Group Leader. Throughout this period, Aileen provided placements and training support for students seeking qualification in various Health and Social Service disciplines.

In 2001, with a growing family, Aileen left this field to support her husband in developing from scratch a successful Recruitment business, with a turnover reaching £400 million. Following the sale of the Recruitment business, Aileen supported her husband in the purchase of a Football club, where she was a working Director and later CEO, fully immersed in all aspects of the business.

Susan Pash

Director & CEO

Susan is a visionary CEO with a progressive sales and marketing background. She brings focus on growth, confidence in decision-making and expertise in leading organisations through periods of change and development.

She is resourceful and adaptable with over 25 years of experience in business development. Performance-driven with consistent growth to bottom line profits. She is a meticulous team builder with expertise in employee engagement, customer relationship management (CRM), time management and conflict resolution, staff training, protocol development and process improvements. Decisive leader, yet aspiring team player, focusing on staff development and best practices.

Sarah Lysandrou CIMA

Finance Manager

Sarah is a highly accomplished finance professional with a wealth of experience in a range of industries.  As Finance Director for C4J Ltd Sarah has demonstrated her expertise in finance and business management.

Sarah is a qualified CIMA Chartered Accountant, possessing a comprehensive understanding of management and statutory accounts, commercial sales analysis, budgets, forecasting, cash management and taxation.

Sarah’s career spans across acting as a CEO, FD and finance-specific roles within medium-sized businesses and accountancy practices. She is a highly skilled professional with a proven track record of delivering success in diverse environments.

Aidan Loy

Director & Solicitor

After taking a Masters Degree at Imperial College, Aidan joined the Civil Service Fast Stream and worked as Senior Private Secretary to several Cabinet Ministers. He then qualified as a Solicitor in 1997 with DLA Piper specialising in Employment Law. He was a partner in 3 City Firms, before running his own firm for 8 years. He has especial knowledge of finance, banking, aviation and shipping and cross border issues. As well as contentious work, he has a wealth of experience in commercial and corporate support work, his biggest deal being for HSBC at some £5.5 Billion. He has worked in the High Court, particularly on team moves and springboard injunctions, discrimination and whistleblowing. He has also appeared before the Judicial Committee of the European Commission, helping draft EU labour  law, and has appeared in tribunals in France, the Netherlands and Ireland, where he regularly appeared in the Labour Court on behalf of aviation clients.

Andrew Thornhill KC

Non Exec Director & Barrister

Andrew is a Barrister and was called to the bar in 1969.  In 1985 he was appointed Queens Counsel.  In 2015 he was ranked by the Legal 500 as leading silk in both Personal Taxation and Corporate Taxes and VAT.

He has extensive experience across the full range of tax law, with special emphasis on employee benefit trusts, employee remuneration, share schemes, inheritance tax/capital gains tax planning and litigation.

His technical knowledge and breadth of experience is matched only by his commercial awareness.

Neil Gray BA FCA CF

Non-Executive Director & COFA

Neil is a highly accomplished Chartered Accountant, boasting over 25 years of exemplary experience at partner level within both national and regional firms of Chartered Accountants. Additionally, he holds the prestigious ICAEW Corporate Finance qualification, further enhancing his expertise.

Neil’s focus lies within Advisory and Corporate Finance, where he adeptly navigates all facets of merger, disposal, and acquisition activities, alongside providing invaluable insight into profit improvement and succession planning strategies. Beyond his professional endeavours, Neil has demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement, having previously served as Chairman of the East Midlands Urban Development Fund and recently completing 8 years as a Governor of University of Lincoln where 4 of those years were spent as Chair of the Audit Committee.  He also holds several non-executive directorships, including positions within notable not-for-profit organisations, showcasing his dedication to both professional excellence and community impact.

Max Eppel

Barrister (Non Practising) & Member of Advisory Committee

Max is a seasoned Barrister with over two decades of distinguished experience spanning various sectors. Following his admission to the Bar, he immersed himself in the dynamic realm of sports, particularly football, where he honed his expertise for 17 years.  He also has extensive experience in Commercial Litigation and Employment Law which will also add tremendous value to his input as a member of the Advisory Committee. 

Transitioning seamlessly, Max assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at an esteemed international Multi-Family Office, where he successfully led strategic initiatives and cultivated global partnerships for two years.

Presently, Max is the proprietor and principal operator of a Corporate Finance House, where his astute leadership and extensive industry knowledge drive the firm’s success. His illustrious career journey has led him to serve as an advisor to C4J, leveraging his wealth of experience to provide invaluable counsel.

As a distinguished member of the Advisory Committee at C4J, Max’s contributions are instrumental in shaping strategic decisions and fostering organisational growth. Recognising the pivotal role of Advisory Committees in the corporate landscape, Max offers profound insights and guidance, particularly in legal matters such as litigation, to  C4J’s legal team.

Grant Robshaw

Chartered Accountant (FCA) & Member of Advisory Committee

Grant is a highly accomplished Chartered Accountant with a rich and diversified career spanning over a decade and a half. His journey commenced with his qualification in 2008, and since then, he has been a driving force in the financial landscape, particularly renowned for his tenure with prestigious “Big Four” firms.

Over the course of 15 years, Grant has garnered extensive experience across a spectrum of disciplines including audit, corporate finance, management consultancy, and regulatory compliance. His versatility extends beyond traditional roles, having held positions in-house at a major financial institution and a reputable law firm, as well as collaborating with numerous start-ups.

Throughout his illustrious career, Grant has cultivated a vast network of multi-jurisdictional contacts, augmenting his ability to navigate complexities both in the UK and internationally. His profound expertise and global perspective have been honed through diverse engagements and interactions across various sectors.

Currently, Grant serves as a distinguished member of the Advisory Committee at C4J, where his contributions play a pivotal role in shaping strategic decisions and fostering organisational growth. Acknowledging the paramount importance of advisory committees in the corporate realm, Grant offers invaluable insights, expertise, and guidance to the Finance Team, particularly on regulatory matters, thereby fortifying the organisation’s financial integrity and compliance framework.

Howard Epstein

Consultant Solicitor

Howard brings a distinguished career as a solicitor, spanning over more than five decades, to his role as a consultant to C4J.   He is widely recognised as a seasoned commercial lawyer and litigator, boasting an extensive repertoire of expertise that enriches our team’s capabilities.

Renowned for his adept negotiation skills honed over years of practice, Howard excels in resolving disputes and crafting intricate commercial agreements with finesse and precision. His proficiency extends across both contentious and non-contentious areas of law, reflecting a depth of experience that is as vast as it is varied.

In addition to his legal pursuits, Howard has contributed significantly to legal academia, sharing his insights and knowledge with future generations. He has lectured to university students on the intersection of computing and the legal profession, showcasing his forward-thinking approach and adaptability to evolving technologies, and on practical conveyancing, and to professionals on the acquisition of businesses for very many years.

Howard’s contributions to the legal field extend beyond the courtroom and lecture hall; he has also penned articles for esteemed publications such as the Solicitors Journal and has had several mentions in The Times newspaper. His expertise and dedication to the legal profession were further underscored when he was featured as Solicitor of the Week in the Law Society Gazette on more than one occasion, earning recognition for his outstanding contributions and achievements.

Luke Menzies

Barrister & Solicitor

Luke  is a distinguished legal professional, duly qualified as both a Barrister and Solicitor. With a specialisation in employment law, he leverages his extensive background as a Barrister in handling Employment Tribunal and court claims to provide innovative and authoritative counsel.

His career trajectory encompasses notable roles with esteemed firms, including leading South West and City of London firms, a prominent Welsh firm, and the EEF.

Luke holds an ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching & Mentoring from UWE and is presently pursuing advanced coach training with CTI. His expertise extends to areas such as self-awareness, self-management, and the psychology of workplace disputes. Moreover, he has contributed as a Disciplinary panel member for the Bar Council, showcasing his commitment to professional standards and ethics.

Kevone Morris

Paralegal

Kevone Morris is a junior paralegal who joined our firm straight out of university. Graduating from Lincoln University with a 2:1 degree in Law for Business, his academic achievements coupled with hands-on experience equips him to provide thorough legal assistance to clients and senior fee earners. Kevone remains proactive with his engagements, ensuring that he delivers well-informed and practical solutions to intricate legal issues.

Funmilayo Abimbola

Barrister & Solicitor

Funmilayo obtained her LLB in 2010 and thereafter qualified to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She also completed her Master of Laws (LLM) in International Corporate and Commercial Law at the University of Lincoln with a Distinction.

She started her legal career working with some law firms as a Barrister before moving to one of the largest financial institutions in Nigeria as a Solicitor/Legal Counsel. She has over 12 years of legal practice experience and skills in corporate law, banking and finance, commercial law, employment law, litigation, contracts drafting and negotiation, litigation, advisory services, alternative dispute resolution amongst others.

Candice Rochford

Solicitor Advocate (Non-practising)

Candice completed her Legal Practice Course in 2011 at the College of Law and qualified as a Solicitor in 2012. Candice is a distinguished legal professional with a multitude of experience; during her 11 years of practice Candice advised clients in both contentious and non-contentious areas of law. 

Candice later specialised in personal injury litigation and family law; including private disputes and public law cases. She represented clients in and out of the Court arena fulfilling the role of a Solicitor Advocate. Candice has represented clients in County Courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. 

Candice’s contributions to the legal field protracted; she also penned an article for The Law Society Gazette titled ‘Centres of Excellence’.

Gaynor Beckett

Solicitor

Gaynor is a senior employment law solicitor who qualified in 2002. She has gained extensive experience over her 20 years + careers working in the private, public, and not for profit sectors.  

Gaynor renowned for her reliable expertise and commitment to attentively listening to our clients’ needs. She describes herself as a true employment law generalist. In addition to her proficiency in providing advisory services she excels as an employment law litigator. Her in-house experience has equipped her with the expertise to navigate complex scenarios, particularly those involving trade unions.

 Colleagues and clients often refer to Gaynor as ‘a breath of fresh air,’ a solicitor with a healthy sense of humour and a transparent communication style. Her straightforward approach is always tempered with kindness and a genuine understanding of the emotional weight that workplace disputes can impose on everyone involved. She aims to provide legal advice with a blend of professional rigor and compassionate insight.

 

Nicola Jones

Claims Manager

Nicola was a founder of C4J along with Aileen Ritchie.  She is an accomplished Claims Manager with a proven track record of overseeing the complex and unique claims at C4J.

Her adeptness in managing the diverse range of the claims that are undertaken by C4J, coupled with her exceptional organisational skills, ensures efficient case progression and client satisfaction.

Nicola is known for her strategic problem-solving,  having successfully navigated numerous challenges. Equipped with a deep commitment to achieving favourable outcomes for clients, Nicola is a valuable asset to any law firm seeking a dedicated and proficient Claims Manager.

Steve Bennett

Onboarding Manager

Steve Bennett brings over a decade of invaluable experience to his role as Onboarding Manager at C4J. With a rich background in customer-facing and sales roles across the accounting, recruitment, and construction industries, Steve has honed his skills in navigating diverse landscapes and meeting varied client needs.

In his current role at C4J, Steve utilises his extensive experience to streamline and optimise the onboarding process, ensuring seamless transitions for clients into the company’s services. His keen insight into customer needs, coupled with his adeptness in sales strategies, enables him to tailor onboarding experiences that exceed expectations and foster long-lasting partnerships.

Steve’s commitment to excellence and his unparalleled dedication to client satisfaction make him an invaluable member of the C4J team. With his leadership, the company continues to set new standards in onboarding practices, driving growth and success in their industry.

As the Manager and head of the onboarding team at C4J, Steve specialises in designing and implementing comprehensive onboarding programs tailored to the unique needs of the legal team, ensuring a smooth assimilation into the firm’s culture and workflows.

Known for his collaborative approach and proactive communication style, Steve is committed to driving organisational success by empowering new team members to thrive from day one.

Peter Fletcher

Business Development Manager

Peter is a proactive leader and is the Business Development Manager at C4J having worked in the Financial Sector for the past 18 years.

Peters passion is forging strategic partnerships and driving revenue growth. He has a proven track record in identifying new business opportunities and fostering relationships.  His innovation and collaboration are key, leveraging a blend of analytical skills and interpersonal finesse, he specialises in expanding market presence, negotiating deals, and cultivating long-term client satisfaction.

His dedication to exceeding targets and delivering tangible results fuels his commitment to driving sustainable business growth.

Andrew Scoffings

Head of I.T

Andy left school in 1983 and tried various careers before settling on IT.   He has always had an interest in computers and built his own PC from components which gave him his first taste of troubleshooting.  Worked in a customer facing role as a PC World Technician before moving to a local IT support company in Lincoln.  He has been working in IT for almost 30 years and has built, supported and managed many complex IT systems during that time.  He qualified as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer at a Eurocomp Residential Boot Camp in December 2004 and has also completed courses in Networking, HTML and Microsoft Exchange server.  He has been working with C4J since its inception and designed and implemented a solution to allow the company to successfully work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic.  He is constantly looking for ways to automate, streamline and improve our internal IT processes.

Mark Coker

Website & Social Media Manager

Mark is a vastly experienced designer across a broad range of digital sectors. He first embarked onto a career in Graphic Design back in 2004 where he learned his trade as part of the media team for Sports TV. Helping create match day TV channels for football and rugby clubs across England and Wales. Working alongside brands such as Sky Sports, Guiness, Castrol, Sure for Men and Barclays to name but a few.

From here Mark then moved onto a web based role for Contractor Collective then onto Lincoln Ladies Football Club creating the whole brand from scratch before moving into print working for Caine Douglas design and Print based in Nottingham.

Mark then become a senior member of the print team for Your Print Partner playing a role in helping them become the biggest fabric printer house in the country.

He then made the transition into exhibition stand design working on shows such as the Olympia Horse Show, Crufts and the Rugby World Cup.

Mark has been a creative at C4J since it’s concept helping create the brand the website and social media channels.