Nottingham accountancy firm recognises rising stars
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 24 April 2026
Nottingham-based accountancy firm Page Kirk recently announced that two members of its team - Sonja Dengler and James Allsop – have both been promoted to Manager roles in recognition of their commitment over a number of years, as well as their personal development.
Sonja joined Page Kirk in 2019 as a trainee accountant and qualified in 2023. Since then, she has become an integral part of its audit and accounts team, known for her thorough, client-focused approach and her passion for helping businesses improve their processes and build financial confidence.
Her route into accountancy hasn’t been entirely conventional. With a combined degree in Mathematics and English Literature, she brings a combination of analytical thinking and strong communication skills that naturally translate into client work.
“I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving, but also understanding the bigger picture, how businesses operate, what challenges they face, and how we can support them,” she says.
Sonja’s progression has been shaped by hands-on experience, a wide variety of client work, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone — including an international secondment in the United States through the firm’s Accelerate network, which connects Page Kirk with forward-thinking firms around the world through Crowe Global.
As she steps into her new role, Sonja wants to expand her impact both with clients and within the team. And for anyone considering a career in accountancy, Sonja offers simple, but valuable, advice:
“Be open to learning and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The technical side is important, but so is understanding people and businesses. The more curious you are, the more you’ll get out of it.”
James, meanwhile, joined Page Kirk in 2020 through the firm’s graduate scheme and has consistently demonstrated a responsible, collaborative approach. He is committed to understanding each client’s goals and identifying opportunities to add value.
His work with UK branches of multinational businesses has seen him go a step further, even learning French to better support French-owned subsidiaries and strengthen client relationships.
After qualifying in 2023 and being promoted to Assistant Manager in 2024, this latest step reflects his continued hard work and development.
For James, the new opportunity is a significant milestone.
“Professionally, the promotion means a lot. It validates that the work it took to get here is worth it and that my commitment to the firm and my own technical progress has been recognised. It feels like a big step in my career. When I first started, I remember looking at the Managers and thinking they were so skilled that it would be impossible for me to reach that level.”
Alongside his client work, James plays a key role in the firm’s continued growth through business development, building strong relationships with prospective clients and converting new opportunities.
He is also a keen advocate of the graduate scheme, having joined from the University of Lincoln, and is passionate about helping others at the start of their careers.
Managing Partner John Wallis shared his thoughts on the promotions:
“Congratulations to both James and Sonja who have worked extremely hard, and their dedication has not gone unnoticed. As a firm, we are proud to promote from within, and it’s fantastic to recognise two individuals who consistently go above and beyond to help both our clients and our team. I look forward to supporting James and Sonja in their new roles.”
