About Us

At Clive Owen, we believe great advice is built on trust, expertise and lasting relationships. For more than 40 years, we've helped businesses and individuals navigate change, seize opportunities and achieve their ambitions with confidence.

Our Ambition

Our ambition is focussed upon being the accountancy, tax and advisory firm that businesses and individuals turn to when they need trusted advice, pragmatic views, strong relationships and real value.

For more than 40 years, Clive Owen has helped businesses and individuals make confident financial decisions. Since opening our doors in 1983, we’ve organically grown into one of the largest independent professional firms in the North, providing expert accountancy, audit, tax and business advisory services across our regions.

Today, our team of 15 partners and more than 150 people supports clients from our offices in Darlington, York, Durham, Middlesbrough, and Newcastle. We work with owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, PE backed businesses, growing companies and private individuals, building long-term relationships based on trust and practical advice.

Built around people

Our success has always been driven by our people. We are committed to creating a workplace where talented individuals can develop rewarding careers, supported by continuous learning, collaboration and opportunity. 

We invest heavily in training, apprenticeships and professional development to ensure our team continues to deliver the highest standards of service. Our commitment to future talent has been recognised nationally, including 5% Club recognition and the prestigious Youth Future Award.

We’re proud to be a values-led business with a collaborative culture that puts people first. Our accreditations as a Great Place to Work and a Good Business Charter organisation reflect the way we work with our colleagues, clients and communities.

As one of only a small number of UK firms recognised as ICAEW Climate Champions, we’re also committed to helping create a more sustainable future for our business, our clients and the wider community.

Investing in the future

Our profession continues to evolve, and so do we. By investing in technology, innovation and specialist expertise, we’re helping clients access smarter, more efficient services whilst maintaining the personal relationships that have always been at the heart of our business.

As part of this evolution, we refreshed our brand identity to better reflect who we are today and where we’re heading next. Our brand helps us build trust, strengthen recognition and communicate the expertise and values that set us apart, while retaining the qualities that have underpinned our success over the last four decades.

It represents a confident, forward-looking firm, one that embraces change and innovation while staying true to its heritage and client-focused approach. In this way, our brand is more than how we look; it reflects our continued growth, our ambitions for the future and the relationships at the heart of our business.

Award-winning expertise

We’re proud of the recognition we’ve received, but we’re even prouder of what it represents – a commitment to quality, our people and the businesses we support.

  • Great Place to Work accredited for the third consecutive year and recognised in the 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™
  • Good Business Charter accredited
  • 5% Club recognised and recipient of the Youth Future Award
  • Double winners at the 2026 Yorkshire Accountancy Awards
  • Double winners at the 2026 Yorkshire Accountancy Awards
  • ICAEW Climate Champions status

Looking ahead

We have ambitious growth plans for the future. By continuing to invest in our people, technology and specialist expertise, we’re building a stronger, more connected firm that delivers even greater value to our clients.

Our goal is to become the leading independent firm for accountancy, audit, tax and advisory services across our regions while growing with purpose and maintaining the personal service we’re known for.

Whatever stage you’re at – starting a business, growing an established company, planning for the future, looking towards an exit or retirement or managing your personal finances, we’re here to help you succeed.

 

We're more than accountants. We're trusted advisers, committed to helping you achieve your ambitions.

True words
Real clients

Mastercopy is a well-established, leading provider of printing, software and document management services, as well as IT support. The North East-based business possesses decades of experience in digital workflows, Mastercopy’s flagship product, Docflow, is transforming the way businesses access, control and manage their documents, improving compliance, reducing admin and optimising operations.
Clive Owen LLP has provided a range of accounting services to the company and its key people for many years, reaffirming the firm’s commitment to supporting clients in the long-term.

Stephen Preston, Managing Director of Mastercopy, said: “I have enjoyed a longstanding working relationship with Clive Owen LLP and the firm and its people have proven themselves to be a truly trustworthy and reliable partner in every aspect of our financial affairs.
“I would like to recognise and thank Nicola Bellerby, in particular, for her years of dedicated support – from sound personal tax advice all the way through to accounts preparation and other added value services. Her professionalism, insight and personal commitment, together with the support of the wider team, have been invaluable to both me and the business, and we look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come.”

https://www.mastercopy.co.uk/

Mastercopy

The Forum Darlington

Allison Mckay, CEO and Founder Director, said:
“The Forum is a live music venue and community arts hub in central Darlington. It has rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, and delivers educational services and creative activities. The venue operates as a social enterprise in the form of a Community Benefit Society.
We needed investment to support our growth plan, including ambitious capital improvements to our Borough Road building. We approached the Clive Owen LLP grants team to help with the financial modelling and forecasts needed for a grant application. Their expertise was crucial for our investment bid.
Eleanor Kay from the Clive Owen LLP was assigned to support us. She took great care in understanding our needs and business model. This resulted in a comprehensive set of financial assumptions and forecasts.
I highly recommend Clive Owen LLP, particularly Eleanor and the grants team. Their support has strengthened our business case and growth plan, giving us confidence in our ability to raise investment and achieve our ambitions.”
To find out more about the grants team, click here.

Darlington Forum

TICA

“Since engaging with Clive Owen LLP, we have modernised. The accounts were very paper based, they have now been brought into electric format. They are more transparent and user friendly, this means we can get accurate information that we can forecast from”

TICA, Marion Marsland

I have worked overseas for a number of years in Australasia and had concerns with my UK tax situation.

I felt daunted in dealing with multiple jurisdictions and, on recommendation, contacted Lee Watson for help and advice.

Lee’s calm manner and pragmatic, open, sensible approach helped me thought the whole process and has resolved the situation – giving me immense peace of mind.

This ethos extends to the whole team at Clive Owen who answered my questions and queries promptly, clearly, and with professionalism. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the team if you need assistance with international tax affairs – they made it very easy and straightforward.

GS