David Inglesfield — Group Chief Executive Officer
David is Group Chief Executive Officer of Ascendant, responsible for overall group strategy, acquisitions and long-term growth. He brings extensive build-and-buy experience across professional services businesses and focuses on shaping the group’s structure, investment strategy and expansion through acquisition.
Paul Layte FCA — Group Chief Commercial Officer
Paul is Ascendant’s Group Chief Commercial Officer and Chair of Ascendant Accountants, the group’s core accountancy and advisory business. A Chartered Accountant, Paul leads commercial strategy, growth and partnerships across the group, alongside shaping the development and positioning of Ascendant Accountants for ambitious, growth-focused clients.
Alex Pegley — Non-Executive Director
Alex is a Non-Executive Director at Ascendant, working as part of the board to develop Ascendant into a world class organisation. Alex is a IFA by background and serial entrepreneur who previously built and exited his own IFA business.
Steve Cohen — Group Chief Financial Officer
Steve is Group Chief Financial Officer, overseeing financial strategy, governance and reporting across Ascendant. He brings broad CFO experience from investment-backed and professional services environments, supporting disciplined growth and strong financial stewardship across the group.
Carol Gumbo — Group Finance Director
Carol is Group Finance Director at Ascendant, responsible for group finance operations, financial control and performance insight. A qualified accountant, she brings strong experience in operational finance and reporting within complex, multi-entity group structures.
Luke Streeter — Managing Director, Southern Region & FaaS
Luke is CEO of Ascendant’s Finance as a Service (FaaS) division, leading the delivery of data-driven finance solutions for fast-growth businesses. A Chartered Accountant, Luke began his career at PwC and brings deep experience building and scaling modern finance functions for entrepreneurial and technology-led companies.
Darren Croucher FCA, FCCA — Managing Director, Central Region & Audit
Darren is the MD of our Central Region based in Milton Keynes. He is also head of Ascendants Audit division providing assurance services.
A Chartered Accountant, Darren has over 25 years of experience in practice serving a wide variety of clients and aims to bring a voice to the numbers and inspire confidence among owner managed businesses.
Wes Nunns ACMA, CGMA — Managing Director, Northern Region
Wes is the MD of our Northern Region based in Selby. Wes has held senior finance roles in industry as well as practice. He likes to bring a family firm ethos to his clients. Experienced in advising owner managed businesses, loves counting beans and helping people.