The Team

• Mark Phillips

• Director
• 07718 477 812
• [email protected]
• Follow me on LinkedIn

Based in Leeds

“After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2009, Mark has over 10 years’ experience in a Lead Advisory role both in Business Restructuring and Corporate Finance.  Mark’s experience extends over a range of sectors including technology, manufacturing, engineering, leisure and retail.

Over the years, Mark has worked on a number of key SME transactions including Management Buy-Outs, Acquisitions, Disposals, Refinancing, Strategic Planning and Business Reviews.  Throughout his career, Mark has provided value added service and advice to a number of different stakeholders, ranging from business owners, management teams, private equity, institutional lenders and alternative lenders.

Mark’s key driver is to develop long standing relationships through value added service, enabling him to work closely with businesses and investors to understand their business models, goals and key motivators.  This invariably helps to determine the right solutions to help these individuals to meet their objectives and achieve a satisfactory outcome in all instances.”

• Kevan Shaw

• Managing Director
• 07810 275 514
• [email protected]
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Kevan had been leading transactions as a Corporate Finance adviser since 2000, when he started a corporate finance division at one of the region’s largest accountancy practices and built his specialist team to be one of the largest in South Yorkshire.

Moving on to become a Partner at Strategic Corporate Finance, progressing it from a sole trader to a leading independent Corporate Finance Boutique and on the back of this success, winning industry awards.

Kevan created Castle Square Corporate Finance in October 2009, during which time, Kevan has advised on vast Merger & Acquisitions deals, including Management Buy-Ins/Buy-Outs, Development Capital Fundraisings and Disposals.

Kevan is a highly successful dealmaker with specialised experience of Private Equity transactions and has an enviable track record of successfully completing deals, resulting in Castle Square being awarded multiple corporate finance awards for its deals and services.

• Steve Bell

• Director
• 07717 326 182
• [email protected]
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Having previously held the position, Head of Corporate Finance at a leading independent accountancy practice in South Yorkshire, Steve brings with him over 15 years of corporate finance experience, which includes a spell at YFM Private Equity where he was investment manager on the South Yorkshire Investment Fund, providing equity investment to SME businesses.

Steve has also undertaken high profile Due Diligence work, including acting for AIM listed companies on share placement and a variety of Due Diligence assignments for both banks and corporate acquirers.

Steve is actively involved with University of Sheffield Enterprise, providing lectures on a range of topics covering business planning, funding and financial reporting, in addition he acts as a judge on the prestigious annual business planning competition.

• Lisa Ritson

• Associate Director
• 07809 209 420
• [email protected]
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A qualified chartered accountant obtaining her degree in 2002, Lisa began her career with a leading accountancy firm, gaining significant transaction experience working on a broad range of deals, involving Management Buy-Outs, fundraising, company acquisitions and disposals.

Lisa joined Castle Square Corporate Finance in October 2009, where she has focused on developing her dealmaking and project management skills proving to be lead advisor on a number of transactions.

• Patrick Lynch

• Director
• 07855 755 526
• [email protected]
• Follow me on LinkedIn

Patrick joined the Castle Square team in 2016 seeking a new challenge as Corporate Finance Executive, having previously held a senior role for a Sheffield based accountancy practice.

Over the years, Patrick has gained extensive knowledge of the core business principles, whilst conveying these principles through to clients, providing the highest level of client care.

At the start of 2020 Patrick was appointed Director, reflecting his commitment to delivering exceptional client service. Having developed his role acting on behalf of companies across various business sectors, he has an excellent understanding of key business principles.

• Kerry Raistrick

• PA to Directors / Office Manager
• 07709 715 765
• [email protected]
• Follow me on LinkedIn

Kerry, a highly skilled experienced executive assistant, joined Castle Square Corporate Finance at the start of 2021, as PA to Directors.

Already becoming a valuable member of the team at Castle Square, Kerry has exemplory experience in logistics and co-ordination working with clients across a variety of industries.