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Associations:

Severnside and South West

  • Officers
    Kevin Smith
    President
    Alison Hann
    Secretary
    Jonathan Ash
    Assistant Secretary
    Kim Slader
    Membership Officer
    Mike Shaw
    Education Liaison Officer
    Steven Rybaruk
    Treasurer
    Ben Moreton
    Web Manager

    Contact details for the above postholders can be found in the members area of the IRRV web site.

  • Local Authorities within this Association

    • Bath and North East Somerset Council   
    • Bristol City Council      
    • Cheltenham Borough Council        
    • Cornwall Council
    • Devon County Council 
    • East Devon District Council  
    • Exeter City Council      
    • Gloucester City Council        
    • Gloucestershire County Council    
    • Mid Devon District Council   
    • North Devon
    • North Somerset Council 
    • Plymouth City Council
    • Somerset Council        
    • South Gloucestershire Council      
    • South Hams and West Devon District Council 
    • Teignbridge District Council 
    • Torbay Council
    • Tewkesbury Borough Council        
    • Torridge District Council       
  • News and Events

    Association Chairman: 2023 - Present
    Kevin Smith IRRV(Tech)

    Association Chairman

    Operations Manager
    Bristol City Council

    Tel Number:  0117 352 1122​
    Mobile:  0781 050 6876
    E-mail:  kevin.smith@bristol.gov.uk
    Web:  www.bristol.gov.uk

    Having held several management roles across Revenues at Bristol City Council, in my current role as Operations Manager I am a key member of the senior management team for the Revenues and Benefits service.  I currently manage the Council Tax and Business Development teams, working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure an efficient and effective administration, whilst maintaining a watching brief on advances in technology to deliver further service improvements and ensure excellence in service delivery.  I was elected President of the Association in 2023, after previously holding the position of Secretary.


    Secretary
    Alison Hann IRRV(Tech)

    E-mail: Alison.Hann@bristol.gov.uk

    I have had a varied career in Revenues, Benefits and Local Authority Finance over the past 17 years, starting at the smallest Unitary Authority as a Benefits Assistant in Rutland County Council.  I joined Bristol City Council as a Revenues Manager in June 2024 from Somerset Council and now manage a large team in the high-volume Council Tax service.  I am also a committed UNISON activist, Vice Chair of the South West Local Government service group and chair of the South West Women’s Committee.   I took up the role of Secretary of the Association in 2024 and I am looking forward to meeting other Revenues and Benefits professionals and using my skills and experience to further the aims of the IRRV Severnside and Southwest Association.


    Assistant Secretary
    Jonathan Ash IRRV (Hons)

    Email: jon.ash@bristol.gov.uk

    I have worked for Bristol City Council for 25 years in a number of roles firstly as an assessment officer, moving to recovery officer role in the Court and Committal team. Then moving to revenues in the roles of local taxation team and as a senior systems officer on the systems team before moving to my current role as a senior revenue officer offering technical advice and training to internal/external stake holders.  Through my involvement in IRRV I have completed the IRRV Diploma before progressing to the IRRV Honours qualification.


    Association Treasurer
    Steven Rybaruk IRRV(Tech)

    Email: Steven.Rybaruk@liberata.com

    I joined Liberata in 2003 as a Benefits Specialist from a district Council and quickly progressed to a Team Leader role. By June 2004, I was leading the benefits service, and in 2008, I transitioned into a Solutions and Innovation Leader position. As a key member of the Revenues and Assessment service line senior management team, I am responsible for shaping the Target Operating Model (TOM).  Within my role, I have had the privilege of making a lasting impact on Liberata, our clients, and, most importantly, our customers, helping to deliver better services and outcomes for those we support.


    Education Liaison Officer
    Mike Shaw BA (Hons), IRRV (Hons)

    Email: mike.shaw@eastleigh.gov.uk

    After more than 40 years in Revenues and Benefits, many of them spent in senior roles up and down the country, I am now a freelance consultant/contractor looking to give back my knowledge and experience to help the next generation of leaders to shape their organisations to meet the ever-changing challenges that confront them

    My claim to fame is that I was part of North Warwickshire Borough Council’s multi award winning team that won the IRRV Best Revenues Team, Best Benefits Team, Best Customer Services Team and many more awards over a number of years.  My abiding passion is to increase the profile of leadership and development in Revenues and Benefits and the wider local government.


    Membership Officer
    Kim Slader BA (Hons), IRRV (Tech)

    Email: kim.slader@somerset.gov.uk

    I have 20 years of dedicated experience in the field of council tax and business rates administration.

    Since 2022, I have worked in the role of Recovery and Enforcement Case Manager, for Somerset Council, where I have showcased the ability to navigate and streamline recovery processes. My qualifications include a BA (Hons) and IRRV (Dip), reflecting a solid academic background and professional qualifications that underpin my extensive practical experience.  I joined the Association in 2024 as Membership Officer and am looking forward to engaging fellow professionals within the industry.


    Webmaster
    Ben Moreton

    Email: ben@businesssmartsolutions.co.uk

    With a career in Revenues & Benefits spanning 25 years, I am the founder and CEO of Business Smart Solutions specialising in staffing & recruitment, training & consultancy. I joined the Association in 2024 and I look forward to using my skills & experience to make a positive impact.


    Executive Committee Member
    Simon Neal 

    Email: sneal@dukeslimited.co.uk

    With 16 years of industry experience, I have developed a deep, firsthand understanding of enforcement from the inside, out. Having spent 12 years as an Enforcement Agent before transitioning into a Client Relationship Manager role in 2019, I offer a unique perspective that balances real-world experience of the practical realities of frontline enforcement with the strategic considerations of client management.

    In my current role as Client Relationship Manager at Dukes, I focus on building strong relationships with clients, offering expert guidance, and staying ahead of industry developments. Passionate about connecting with people, I actively attend industry events and conferences nationwide, ensuring I remain at the forefront of best practices and innovation.  Throughout my career, I have not only gained extensive knowledge but also built lasting relationships and valuable connections across the industry.


    Executive Committee Member
    Tom Clark

    Email: tom.clark@enfield.gov.uk

    As a Corporate Member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating, and Valuation and a Certified Enforcement Agent, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the IRRV Severnside South West Association. My professional journey spans several large local authorities, including Birmingham City Council and prominent London boroughs such as Enfield, Brent, Haringey, and Waltham Forest.  With a rich background in Revenues and Benefits management, I have developed a strong reputation as a passionate transformation specialist. I am committed to driving service improvement, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering positive outcomes for both local authorities and the communities they serve.

    I am currently an active member of LACEF, the Revenues and Benefits Visionary Network and also recently designed a debt maturoty framework for the Local Government Association. I am proud to be part of the IRRV Severnside South West Association, where I aim to contribute my expertise, share best practices, and support the continuous development of the profession.

  • The executive is pleased to announce it's first in-person meeting of 2025 - Embracing Technology within Revenues & Benefits

    When: Thursday 29th May 2025 (from 10am - 4pm / buffet lunch to be provided)

    Where: Mid-Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6PP

    Full agenda and list of speakers to be released in April 2025.

  • The executive is pleased to announce it's first Dinner Dance of 2025!

    When: Saturday 5th July 2025

    Where: Sandy Park, Sandy Park Way, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NN

    More details to follow.

  • If you would like to sign up to receive notifications of our seminars and professional meetings please complete and submit this form.

  • Immediate Past President: Martin Smith (2006 - 2023) 

    Martin receiving his Certicicate of Service from Gary Watson IRRV (Hons) - November 2024

  • IRRV Severnside and South West Association Day ‘Challenges Ahead for 2025’

    Friday 22nd November 2024 - Holiday Inn, J25 (Taunton), M5

    The IRRV Severnside and South West executive are pleased to announce the relaunch of the association with its ‘Challenges Ahead for 2025/26’ association day.  

    This one-day seminar will focus on looking ahead for 2025/26, kindly sponsored by Dukes Bailiffs, Aceni, Business Smart Solutions and Telsolutions.

  • We would like to be able to contact all our Members electronically and would appreciate it if all members could pass their email address onto the Secretary by using this email link.

    Has your email address changed? if so please let us know so we can keep in touch and let you know of forthcoming events

     

  • The Severnside and South West Association has adopted the national IRRV Privacy Policy which can be found here.

    We take your privacy very seriously therefore we urge you to read this policy very carefully because it contains important information about us and:

    - the personal information we collect about you, our users
    - what we do with your information, and
    - who your information will be shared with