MEET THE TEAM
CAROLINE HALE
What is your career background?
I originally started my accountancy career at one of the ‘Big 4’ firms and I have since worked in all sizes of businesses. 
 
After many years of working in large corporate organisations, I began to feel like a small cog in a big wheel. It became increasingly difficult to see the whole picture or the reason why we did certain things. This, combined with the needs of a young family, meant I decided to move 200 miles from the Southeast to Yorkshire as the opportunity to work flexibly with my family’s business, learn more about SMEs, and spend more time with my children was too tempting. 
 
Why did you establish Hale Portfolio?
Having spent several years working at my family’s SME manufacturing business and with my children more grown-up, I knew I was ready to take on a new challenge. I realised that whilst SMEs often need the skills and experience of a senior Finance Director, they can’t always afford one and in reality, often don’t need one full-time. So, with this in mind, I established Hale Portfolio, where I offer the skills and knowledge gained in my years at the large corporate organisations tailored to the needs of SMEs in a flexible and affordable way. This provides me with the flexibility, challenging, and interesting work that I crave whilst enabling me to help people and solve problems, which I naturally enjoy. 
Through my experience of working with SMEs, I recognised that sometimes there is also a need to fulfil the bookkeeping and transaction elements. As such, Sarah Hood and Deb Langhorn joined the team so that we can offer these services to companies that don’t have or need a full-time finance function.
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What industries do you have experience in?
I am lucky that my work has provided me with interesting and varied clients, and I have experience in a broad range of industries including professional services, FMCG, energy, engineering, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, farming, biotech, construction, tour operators, and technology.
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family (subject to the kids deciding this is acceptable) and getting creative (not creative accounting I hasten to add!). I enjoy pottery, art classes, and taking our chocolate Labrador Hardy for walks in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside where we live.
SARAH HOOD
Financial Accountant
What is your career background?
I started my finance career working for a joinery business where I set up their Sage accounting systems and ran all aspects of the finance function. I then spent 17 years at ABN Amro Commercial Finance, where I became a field auditor. Before joining Hale Portfolio, I spent 8 years working for a food manufacturer assisting with the production of management accounts, year-end audits, VAT returns, and running bank facilities including annual audit visits and monthly reconciliation reporting.
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What is your role at Hale Portfolio?
As a Financial Accountant, I work with our clients to ensure their bookkeeping, banking, sales, purchases and management accounts are correct.
How do you spend your free time?
Most of my spare time is taken up standing on Hockey touchlines supporting our son. It is a lot of fun and we meet some lovely people.
DEB LANGHORN
Bookkeeping and financial support
What is your career background?
My career started in the European arm of a Multi-National Bank as a Project Manager where I worked alongside consultancy companies on customer banking technology projects, regulatory changes, and Financial Systems. However, once my children came along, working away from home no longer suited me so I took a career break.
I then moved into Education and worked for a local primary school as their School Admin and Bursar before becoming a bookkeeper for a Management Consultancy company.
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What is your role at Hale Portfolio?
As a Finance Assistant, I am responsible for bookkeeping and general finance administration.
How do you spend your free time?
My children are now young adults, with one recently flying the nest and so I’m rediscovering what it is I like to do. Aside from supporting the Seniors of the family, I love meeting up and reconnecting with friends and more distant relatives. My passions are travel, gardening, and Interior Design and if all three are combined then I’m in my element.
HELEN SARGENT
Marketing and events
What is your career background?
After university, I spent many years working for a legal publisher, initially in marketing and sales before joining the events team where I produced international conferences and award events. After a break to focus on my kids, I joined Hale Portfolio in a part-time role.
What is your role at Hale Portfolio?
I am responsible for marketing and events.
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy discovering new places with my family, whether that’s close to home or abroad, kitchen discos, warm scones with cups of tea, and browsing Rightmove.
