A Photo of History

Our History

Although in its present form Coleman Bradshaw is a relatively new practice, the firm has been established for almost thirty years.

Mid 1980s - Martyn Atkinson establishes his accountancy practice, based at his home in Hathersage.

Late 1980s - Martyn Atkinson & his family move to Darley Dale, and convert the little shop opposite the old silver service bus depot into a Chartered Accountants office.

Soon After - Wendy Gregory, who remains a valued employee to this day, became Martyn Atkinson's secretary.

1998 - Scott bumps into Hayley down the Pav and the rest, as they say, is history.

1999 - Scott Bradshaw joins Martyn Atkinson & Co to further his training as an accountant under Martyn's guidance. Around that time Martyn sold the business to his friend and former colleague Keith Bradshaw (No relation!), and remained at the practice as consultant.

2000 (And here's where it all starts fitting into place) - Martyn Atkinson & Co becomes Keith Bradshaw & Co, to coincide with the change in ownership and the move into new offices in Matlock.

Hayley Bradshaw (Hayley Pritty at that time) joined Keith Bradshaw's main Chesterfield office as accounting technician.

A month later, David Coleman was appointed manager of Keith's Chesterfield office.

A few months later, Martyn Atkinson sadly passed away, and Scott was placed in temporary charge of the office until a successor to Martyn could be found.

November 2001 - David Coleman purchased the Matlock office from Keith Bradshaw, and retained Scott and Wendy. The business, rather imaginatively, became known as David Coleman & Co.

The practice grew and in early 2005 Hayley joined David Coleman & Co to enable us to provide management accounting services to some of our larger clients.

By late 2005, Hayley had obtained her ACCA practising certificate so joined David in partnership. The business became Coleman Bradshaw, and Hayley revelled in being her husband Scott's boss for a few months!

Mid 2006 - After much form filling and jumping through hoops, Scott was also granted practising status by the ACCA, and became a partner. He still recognises that Hayley is the boss however!

March 2007 - Now employing six members of staff, Coleman Bradshaw outgrow their little office, and move into larger premises on Bank Road. Strangely the new office was actually Scott's childhood home, as we bought it off of Mrs Bradshaw! First job on day one was to clear out Scott's He-Man figures and Commodore 64 games!

December 2007 - Coleman Bradshaw purchase the Sutton-in-Ashfield office of Mitchells, to be headed up by David Coleman, where it is hoped he will repeat the success enjoyed at Matlock six years previous.

The void left by David at Matlock is filled by Andy Thackeray, who has already proved himself to be a skilled accountant and amiable colleague.

February 2008 - Hardly any work gets done while we're all busy writing stuff for our fantastic new website!

go back to about us