The first edition of 3 Minutes With of 2025 is with none other than Arun Mehra, founder, owner and CEO of Samera, a leading global provider of accountancy, tax, offshoring, and financing solutions for businesses and other accountancy firms.
Arun has been running Samera for over 21 years, with a diverse and experienced team across the UK and India.
1. How did you get into the profession?
A long time ago now, I did a degree in engineering at the University of Bristol and was interested in getting into finance, so I joined Coopers and Lybrand in 1995 in London (now PwC) and started my training contract!
2. What’s the biggest career hurdle you’ve overcome?
I have so far had a really enjoyable career. The biggest hurdle was moving from a high paying Investment Banking job in the early 2000’s to jump into starting up my very own firm from scratch, with zero clients, a new baby, and no idea how to run my own accounting firm. I learnt quickly – I had to 😊
3. What do you see as key trends for the sector in the coming year?
Global manpower and AI. Its pretty clear to me as someone who has been running my own firm over the last 20 years, that people and technology have to be at the heart of it all. AI is no doubt exciting but having a team that can help you implement this is imperative. I strongly believe that UK firms will need to look overseas for talent. We are positioned well for ourselves but also to help other firm owners realise that global talent trained in all the tools we use, is the key to be able to grow a profitable firm in 2025.
4. What was your biggest achievement of 2024?
Without question, we held our first Global Summit in Delhi in December, helping Indian Accountants go global. We had a massive turnout and response and we can see that there is clearly talent across the world that can help many UK firms run better firms. Our 2025 summit will be even bigger and better!
5. What’s the best part of your job?
Inspiring the younger team members in my organisation that they can do it. I love to identify talented people and then help them fly. This no doubt is the most rewarding aspect of being the founder and owner of a global firm! Can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!
