Retirement wishes as Exeter Partner leaves to focus on Army training role

Published on 30th March 2023

We’re bidding farewell to Jean-Paul Quertier, who is retiring as Partner from our Exeter office this week. As Colonel with the Army Reserve, he is stepping away from the firm to focus on a new role as Assistant Head of Training with the Reserve at the Land Warfare Centre.

Jean-Paul has been with Simpkins Edwards for sixteen years, joining as Corporate Tax Director in 2007 before becoming Corporate Tax Partner. He’s worked with a diverse portfolio of clients during this time, including supporting start-ups, many of whom have been in the tech industry, and advising FTSE 100 CEOs. His client base has seen him work closely with the corporate team at the firm, providing guidance on corporate structuring and the taxation aspects of corporate transactions.

Jean-Paul’s accountancy career has included time in Bristol with ‘Big Four’ firms KPMG, where he qualified, and Deloitte, as well as several boutique consultancies. Alongside this, he has been part of the Army Reserve for over 30 years, taking three sabbaticals from accounting to perform duties as Training Officer in the UK and two operational attachments to the regular Army, serving as a Lieutenant in Bosnia with the Welsh Guards in 2002 and then in Afghanistan as a Captain with the Gurkhas in 2004.

He has continued to serve with the Army Reserve throughout his time in Devon and, having been given command of the Army Training Unit (West) in 2020, Jean-Paul reduced his hours with the firm. He’s now taken the decision to retire from the partnership, having been promoted to Assistant Head of Training with the Reserve. He will be involved in designing and formulating training policies, building on his experience as a qualified mentor and coach, and as a training instructor at both The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

Jean-Paul says: “It’s been a pleasure to work alongside some talented colleagues at Simpkins Edwards and I’m truly grateful for the support shown by the firm over the last 16 years. I’ve also been lucky enough to build some enduring relationships with fantastic clients, who I’ve been able to get to know well during my time at the firm. While it’s always sad to say goodbye, I’m now looking forward to meeting the challenge of my new role, which brings together many different elements of my experience with the Army Reserve.”

Mary Jane Campbell, Managing Partner at Simpkins Edwards, says: “Jean-Paul has played an important part in the recent development of the firm, in particular his work alongside our corporate team and in helping to enhance our IT strategy. We wish him all the best for this next chapter in his career.”