PKF Smith Cooper Systems continues growth with five new hires

PKF Smith Cooper Systems, an award-winning Sage business partner based in Derby, continued to grow its team over the last few months with five new acquisitions.

Ian Barbour, Ben Robertson, Haris Naeem, and Ben Skeels will work across the Consultancy and Support departments, while Lulu Qu is joining as a Senior Project Manager.

Ian Barbour comes to PKF Smith Cooper Systems from Accord Consulting, with over 20 years of experience in implementing Sage solutions, both in the UK and Australia. He has also been certified as a Sage Intacct implementation consultant since July 2020, and will work closely with the team to help grow its Sage Intacct practice.

Ben Robertson joined PKF Smith Cooper Systems from Eureka, where he was a Product Specialist. He has previously worked as a Software Consultant, with deep knowledge of Sage 200 and its add-ons, as well as a manufacturing background. The former will be his speciality in this new role, as he focuses on Cim200 and Sicon add-ons.

Haris Naeem will be the company’s first employee to enter the Sage Academy programme. He is a graduate of Northumbria University and a former director of his family’s fast-food business with franchises across the Northeast. His initial training in the Sage Academy will be focused on Sage Intacct, with an option of future Sage 200 training in-house.

Ben Skeels will be joining PKF Smith Cooper Systems from Paradise Computing, after 5 years as a Software Specialist. He is an experienced Sage 200 consultant with knowledge of Sicon and Draycir add-ons.

Lulu Qu has previously worked alongside PKF Smith Cooper Systems while in her role as a Project Manager for Judge Sampson, overseeing the implementation of Sage Manufacturing. She brings considerable experience as a Project Manager to her new role, having supervised ERP projects in her native China and the UK.

Chris Smith, Managing Director of PKF Smith Cooper Systems, said: “I often see businesses talking about launching a recruitment drive, but planning to recruit quality staff and actually recruiting them are two very different things. At Smith Cooper we take recruitment very seriously, valuing personality and work ethic as highly as technical ability, if not higher. On that basis, I am absolutely delighted to welcome all the new starters to our team. They are all excellent additions and equally excellent people, who I have no doubt will play a key role in helping us achieve our growth targets.”

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