Xero Awards – Meet our judges

This year’s panel is made up of Xero leadership, as well as guest judges from the Xero community, including previous Xero Award winners and industry leaders.

Meet our guest judges

Pam Phillips

Managing Director, de Jong Phillips

Pam joins us again as one of our judges, and is a true Xero advocate, flying the flag for how Xero and cloud software can transform business operations. She runs a slick operation at de Jong Phillips and is living proof that the future of the accountancy industry can be flexible and inclusive, while still ensuring that excellent client service remains at the core. de Jong Phillips was a Xero Award winner for Small Firm of the Year in 2022, and Pam was also awarded Xero MVP. She is an industry leader and an inspiration to many.

Pam Phillips is a guest judge on the 2024 UK accountant & bookkeeper categories.

Russell Frayne

Head of UK Digital Accounting Solutions, Azets

Russell leads the adoption and optimisation of digital accounting solutions across the UK for Azets. Working closely with software providers such as Xero, Russell ensures the company is harnessing the latest technology to empower the Azets teams to deliver tailored services to their clients. Azets was a 2023 Xero Award winner for National Partner of the Year, while Russell sits on our XPAC board. We look forward to having Russell on the panel this year.

Russell Frayne is a guest judge on the 2024 UK accountant & bookkeeper categories.

Georgi Rollings

Co-CEO, Starfish Accounting Ltd

Georgi is a Founder and Co-CEO of Starfish Accounting. New to our Xero Award judging panel this year, she brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. Always flying the Xero flag, Georgi participates in panels, podcasts, case studies, lobbying of the government, XPAC, and more! It’s no surprise then that she was our 2023 Xero MVP, for her unwavering support of Xero and for the exceptional service she and her business provide to their clients.

Georgi Rollings is a guest judge on the 2024 UK accountant & bookkeeper categories.

Matt Flanagan

Co-Founder, Appacus & Managing Director, BlueHub

A long-time Xero Award judge and partner of Xero, Matt is an expert on apps and technology, with a wealth of experience advising accounting firms and businesses on what to implement and how. Digital transformation is at the heart of everything Matt does, and he has spent years learning about the best of the best in tech that helps businesses take their offering to the next level.

Matt Flanagan is our guest judge for the 2024 UK app awards.

Emma Fox

Founder & Managing Director, Fresh Financials

Emma is the Founder and Managing Director of Fresh Financials, a 100% digital bookkeeping practice, making physical receipts and invoices a thing of the past. Emma’s depth of Xero knowledge, commitment to her team, and support for clients and their ambitions is admirable. Fresh Financials took home our new 2023 Xero Award for Bookkeeping Partner of the Year at last year’s awards and continues to go from strength to strength. Emma also sits in our XPAC alumni, so we’re delighted to have her on the panel this season.

Emma Fox is a guest judge on the 2024 UK accountant & bookkeeper categories.

Jonathan Gaunt

Director, FD Works

A Chartered Management Accountant, Jonathan drives the commercial and strategic direction of his firm, FD Works. Working with clients to boost their confidence and decision making, helping them to achieve their goals and grow their businesses. This year FD Works took home Xero’s Community Impact Award for 2023, and Jonathan also joined us as a new member to our XPAC group. Welcome, Jonathan to this year’s judging panel.

Jonathan Gaunt is a guest judge on the 2024 UK accountant & bookkeeper categories.

Meet our Xero judges