Sterling team

Meet the team behind Sterling

Management Team

Mark Hutton

Financial Controller

Mark is a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional and is available for Isle of Man tax planning, VAT guidance and general business-related accountancy support.

Mark began his formative years in Scotland attending The University of Stirling and competing internationally for his country in swimming, achieving numerous Scottish and British titles as well as Fife sports personality of the year in 1997.

After graduation he worked for South Ayrshire council developing sport and recreation within the region and was responsible for the outlay of all sporting programmes and initiatives for the Southern district of Girvan, liaising with local schools, support groups and private clubs.

Relocating to the island in 2007 he began his accountancy training at a well-respected local practice where he studied for 3 years gaining a wide variety of experience and skills in relation to both domestic and overseas business and taxation.
Upon qualification and acceptance to the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants he joined Sterling in 2010 in the role of Financial Controller and is responsible for our accountancy and taxation services function.
Mark is a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional and is available for Isle of Man tax planning, VAT guidance and general business-related accountancy support.

He prides himself on being friendly, approachable and ensuring that client’s feel well informed and in control at every step.

He has found throughout his career that listening and getting to know the client well is the best way to ensure a good working relationship that can grow in tandem with a client’s business.

Music is also a big part of Mark’s life and he has played guitar in numerous local bands over the years.

A chat with Mark

What was your first job?

Leaflet delivery for Safeway Supermarket during my summer vacation at University. Couldn’t have gotten a better job! Getting paid to walk around the beautiful region of Fife in Scotland! I recall it was a heat wave that year!

When you were growing up, what did you want to be?

My youngest memory is wanting to be an archeologist. That might have come from watching Indiana Jones too much! I remember my Mum and Dad explaining that it wasn’t quite so exciting as that so I went on a few digs with a local team and after finding a couple of coins and an arrow head in the mud in a field in Glenrothes I decided that it wasn’t the same as finding the lost ark of the covenant.

If you could give a younger version of yourself some advice what would it be?

We all make mistakes as we go along but I have always had a strong sense of what is right and what I need to do for my own happiness at particular points in my life. There may have been many directions I could have taken but I can honestly say I wake up every morning feeling complete and happy with all parts of my life so I would say just trust yourself and trust your instincts.

What makes you happy?

The feeling of peace and contentment. When I know I have set my foundations right in anything I have approached and I can reap the enjoyment of knowing that the attention and hard work I put in means I can relax and focus on new challenges.

What infuriates you?

To be honest I am usually quite laid back and try to find solutions to most issues rather than getting irate but if I had to pick one thing that annoyed me it would be that so many people are losing the joy and contentment that personal contact and communication can bring.

Name 5 guests dead or alive you would invite to a dinner party?

There are many people that I would love to meet personally on a one on one but I always think with questions like these that a dinner party has to have a selection of characters to make it truly special and memorable!
My first person would be Elvis Presley. Secondly it would another musician and that would be Steve Vai. My third would be Jimi Hendrix! He could back me up on guitar!!
Forth would be Arnold Schwarzenegger. Having loved bodybuilding all my life and competed for 4 years he was always an inspiration to me. Finally, I would pick Graham Norton. Perhaps an odd choice but I have never seen an interviewer who can put people at ease as well as he can yet still bring out the character of someone and the fun.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you?

I can often find the funny side in things and don’t often get embarrassed. I feel if we can laugh at ourselves then that is a strong quality so I take things quite lightly in life.

What are your best qualities and worst habits?

I find I can focus very well on particular tasks and I often find learning a new skill very easy. It is something I have always been able to do and brings me a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I have completed any task to my best ability. I find excitement in approaching something new knowing I am going to achieve it somehow but not always knowing exactly how. The wonder at the path and what else I might learn along the way is exhilarating.

Worst job you’ve ever had?

I worked for 1 day on a fish and chip stand at St Andrews day when the Open Golf was on. My job was to fill the ketchup containers and clean the condiment stand. It immediately felt like a caustic atmosphere from the first hour. Management as well as customers were incredibly rude and the cleaner they had given me was gradually burning my hands as the day progressed! Worse still was the fish which was being defrosted in a sink out the back in dirty water! Needless to say I didn’t go back the next day.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Reading, training at the gym, playing guitar and playing online gaming.

Do you prefer Indian or Chinese food or another cuisine?

Chinese food always!

Besides the obvious if there was one day you could relive, which one would you pick?

Probably a summer day at university. There was a great feeling at times of that transition from boy to man and the care free joy that came with it. Enjoying the company of good friends and laughing and drinking till the early hours under the sun and stars were some of the most happy and fond memories I have.

Favorite TV programme?

I don’t watch a great deal of TV but when I do I really enjoy Pawn Stars. I find it fascinating to see all the interesting things that people end up owning and selling and the stories and history that can be attached to simple items!

Favorite holiday destination?

Los Angeles. Contrary to what I thought before visiting. it is a wonderful mix of culture, inspiration and fun. I have never been anywhere like it. A story on every corner and so many strange but interesting people. It really felt the most alive city I have ever visited.

Favorite meal ?

Salt and Chili Pepper King Prawns, Crab Meat and Sweetcorn Soup, Beef Satay with Cashew Nuts

Favorite smell?

Doritos with a hint of Salt.

What is the best invention ever?

The internet without a doubt. it has brought the whole world into our homes and limitless knowledge and opportunity at the click of a button. Going forward the potential and current developments are truly unbelievable and our lives will continue to change because of it.

Have you take the toiletries from hotels when you leave?

No. I like what I like and I am often fussy with what toiletries I use!

Do you still watch cartoons?

Family Guy and South Park are 2 of my favorite shows.

When was the last time you hand wrote a letter?

I wrote one to my wife only the other week. A simple message left for someone to discover can generate a special kind of magic that can be felt deep in the heart.

What was the first concert you attended?

My uncle taught me guitar and I used to travel around to watch his Scottish Folk band a lot as a kid.

Can you change the oil in a car?

I have been strongly advised because of the mess and disposal issues to just let someone else do it so no.

If you could have a super power what would it be?

I would like to be able to pause time but still be able to move around whilst everything has stopped then restart when I wanted! I would never have to complain about not having to have time to do things again!!

Who is the most famous person you’ve met?

A few years ago the Isle of Man had a period where lots of films were being shot and made. I met Rowan Atkinson in Waterstones and Guy Ritchie, Jason Statham in the local gym

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?

A round the world trip staying and seeing all the places I have always wanted to

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Focused, compassionate, convivial

If you could time travel, which era would you visit?

I would be keen to move forward in time. It would be so fascinating to see what we ended up doing as a race and perhaps if it is not good it could be an opportunity to change everything for the better!