Estelle Sherlock, MA, BSc (Hons), FCA, CTA - Partner
After completing my Maths degree at Southampton University I joined a London practice, working across most disciplines of accountancy and taxation, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1981. In 1985 I took a break from practice, when my children were young, and spent time lecturing on accountancy and taxation matters. In 1996 I qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser and went back into practice, joining DMC and becoming a partner in 2000.
In my spare time I love to look after my garden as well as cycling through the leafy lanes of Sussex or over in France.
Robert Brown, FCA - Partner
After finishing my A Levels I joined a firm of accountants in East Grinstead, working primarily on company accounts and audits. This is where I completed the majority of my training. With one exam remaining I took a year out and travelled around Australia and New Zealand. I joined DMC in 2005 and qualified in 2007. I became a partner in 2013 and work on company accounts, audits as well as taxation matters.
I am a proud father and husband and I am really enjoying watching my children grow up. I am also a keen golfer, cyclist and runner and in recent years I have set myself an annual challenge to train for and complete.
Matthew Sankey, FCCA, FMAAT – Partner
I joined DMC in 2010 opting to start a career in accountancy after finishing my A-Levels at Uckfield College. After 3 years of part time study I obtained the AAT qualification. In 2016 I took a short break and went travelling for 3 months exploring North and South America. When I returned, I got back into the textbooks and passed my chartered ACCA exams in June 2018. I am mainly involved in the preparation and review of company and sole trader accounts and tax returns. I also assist with the company audits and am always happy to help clients with any issues they may have.
Outside of work I enjoy watching and playing sports, particularly football, golf and running. I also like going to concerts, socialising with friends, and walking or running on the south downs with my partner Lizzie.
Sandra Stone, FCCA, CAT - Partner
I joined the firm in 1998 and DMC supported me through both my CAT and ACCA studies until I successfully qualified in 2010. I have a detailed knowledge of Sage accounting software and have been able to assist clients over the years with set up, training and troubleshooting when there are problems. When not at work I can be found dancing my way through a Zumba class or enjoying the company of my grandchildren.
Bruce Cunningham, FCA - Partner
I qualified a long time ago – back in 1971. Having completed articles in Brighton I spent some time gaining experience with Price Waterhouse in Spain and Canada before looking after a substantial lighting business in Alberta. On returning with my family to the UK in 1983 I joined the practice - developing the commercial side of the business. It has grown over the intervening years to its current form and size with a great team of professionals to take care of our many and varied clients.
When not cycling or gardening I can be found in random Lewes pubs playing the Sussex game of ‘Toads’.
Barbara Cordner, BA (Hons), ATT, CTA - Tax Department Manager
I gained an English and American Literature degree from Warwick University in 1985, initially pursued a teaching career, but a change of direction saw me applying to the Civil Service. In 1988 I was posted to the Inland Revenue, and thus began my career in tax. After two years at the Inland Revenue, I left in order to study for a formal tax qualification and joined a small Sussex firm where I studied for and passed the exams to join the Chartered Institute of Taxation. I joined DMC Partnership in September 2005 as Tax Manager and deal with all aspects of personal and business taxation.
Outside of work I am an active member of Hailsham Tennis Club and enjoy the social aspect of that as well as competing in match competitions. I enjoy walking, and the occasional run! I also regularly compete in pub quizzes. With all of this, and two young granddaughters, my life is very busy but enjoyable.
Alison Garrido, BSc (Hons), FCCA, FMAAT – Client and Practice Manager
I joined DMC in September 1999 and commenced my accountancy training, undertaking the AAT qualification. In 2004 I took a break from DMC to go to university and obtain a degree in sport and exercise science. I returned to DMC in 2008 and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2014. I am responsible for managing the firm’s workload, allocating work to individuals and ensuring all filing deadlines are met. I produce accounts for all types of clients and prepare individual, partnership and limited company tax returns and VAT returns. I also provide support for the company’s internal IT needs and organise our social calendar.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time tending to the garden, baking up goodies in the kitchen and arts and crafts.
Peter J Fuller, ACCA, MAAT – Client Manager
After A levels I took up a position in banking with NatWest before joining DMC in April 2007. In my time here I’ve worked as part of the accounts production team as well as covering the payroll function for our clients and gone on to complete the AAT and ACCA qualification in August 2015. Outside of DMC I’m a keen badminton player and an optimistic Spurs supporter.
Fiona Bramwell, BSc (Hons) ACIB ATT – Client Manager
After completing a degree in Statistics at University College London, I joined a bank on a graduate scheme working my way through various roles, continuing my studies gaining the professional qualification ACIB. After a career break when my three children were young, I returned to work in a local firm of accountants gaining my ATT qualification in 2013.
I joined the DMC family in 2022 and am enjoying a varied role producing accounts, tax and VAT returns for a range of clients.
When not busy with my family, I am a keen cyclist exploring the local hills . I also enjoy travel, skiing and gardening.
Dawn Brooker, FCCA – Client Manager
After completing my A levels I began a training contract with a firm of accountants in my hometown in Norfolk. I was sent on a foundation course to begin my professional qualification, and enjoyed my time at college so much that I stayed to complete the majority of my exams. I moved to Sussex to complete the rest of my training with a local firm of accountants in East Grinstead, gaining my ACCA qualification in 1996, working my way up through various roles to become an accounts manager.
I have always worked in private practice, gaining experience with a vast array of businesses from limited company financial statements, auditing companies and charities, partnership and sole trader accounts and taxation. I was the accounts manager at a local firm for many years, before moving to DMC to continue a varied role for a wide range of clients.
Outside of work I like to get active outdoors enjoying the beautiful countryside on our doorstep. I am a keen creative and can be found having a go at anything from painting and sculpting to glass fusing and costume design.
Alison Mullins - Taxation and Company Secretarial
I joined DMC in September 2008. After leaving school I worked for Legal & General at their Surrey headquarters for many years. I had a couple of years out to look after my two then small children and then returned to work in the local area. At DMC I look after the company secretarial work as well as assisting with personal and corporation tax matters.
I love to travel, mainly Europe, nothing long haul planned for the moment. I enjoy walking on the Ashdown Forest, eating and drinking in the wonderful local pubs. Looking after my home and garden keeps me fairly fit and swimming when I get the time.
Nicky Sankey, BA (Hons) - Payroll Manager
I joined DMC as the payroll manager in 2016. I started my career in banking and did AAT and payroll training about 20 years ago whilst working for a manufacturing company in Uckfield. After a career diversion into schools and colleges I returned to accounting and finance and worked on a large payroll for a national employer. I now enjoy working with the DMC team and with the variety of the payrolls we run here.
As well as payroll I also provide bookkeeping and VAT services for some of our clients and also assist the tax team with personal tax returns.
I have always lived in East Sussex and my husband and I have recently moved to a new house in the beautiful countryside surrounding Heathfield. We are enjoying the painting and decorating and have grand plans for the garden which we like to share with family and friends.
Victoria Collcutt, BA (Hons) - Accounts Team
In 2002 I gained a Business Studies degree from Brighton University. While working for Sussex Police in various finance roles, I also completed an AAT course in 2006.
After a year out to look after my second child, I joined a local engineering firm. During 10 years with the company I completed my ATT qualification whilst working my way up to becoming a finance manager.
I joined DMC in 2022 after deciding that I needed a change of direction in my career. I now look forward to applying the knowledge I gained in the industry together with the information from my studies in my new work environment with a view to one day becoming a qualified accountant.
I enjoy an active lifestyle and spend a lot of my free time running, indoor cycling or weight training. I also love long walks with my husband and two children, especially the ones that end with a slice of cake.
Christopher Ditcham, BA (Hons), MAAT - Accounts Team
After completing my history degree at the University of Exeter in 2020, I joined a local accountancy practice in Tunbridge Wells where I completed the AAT qualification. I rotated through the different departments gaining experience in bookkeeping, tax, audit and accounts.
I joined DMC in February 2024 and have been immersed in preparing accounts, tax and VAT returns for a broad range of clients. I am currently studying towards the ACCA qualification with the aim of becoming a qualified accountant.
Outside of DMC I am a keen dinghy and yacht sailor where I am looking forward to exploring more of the UK coastline and venturing to more sunny destinations further afield. Alongside sailing, I enjoy a wide variety of culture going to museums and historical houses and seeing concerts, plays, operas and ballets. Recently, I have been trying new English wines and experimenting with different whiskies to accompany me on my sailing trips.
Saskia Gunson, BSc (Hons) - Accounts Team
I obtained my post graduate teaching degree from Canterbury University in 2014 and taught abroad in Qatar for three years before returning to teach Maths and Games at a local preparatory school.
After 10 years in education, I have decided to pursue a career change and have started studying towards my ACCA qualification. I am enjoying being part of the accounts team at DMC, preparing the accounts for sole traders and assisting with self-assessment tax returns.
Outside of work I am kept very busy by my two young children, spending lots of time playing outside, riding bikes and running.