Chris Panayi

Profile

Chris is KaurMaxwell's Director of Business Development. He brings over four decades of experience founding, building and running his own professional services firm before moving in-house to lead growth strategy — giving him a rare, practitioner's understanding of what referrers, clients and fee earners each need from a firm.

Areas of Focus

Chris has deep, first-hand expertise in the music and entertainment sector, built over more than 40 years advising artists, management companies, recording studios, sound and lighting companies, publishers, record producers and writers, and concert and crowd security companies. This gives him a natural lead role in supporting the growth of KaurMaxwell's Sports, Music & Entertainment practice, alongside his broader firm-wide business development remit.

Key Experience

Chris joined KaurMaxwell as Director of Business Development, responsible for referrer relationships, pipeline strategy and the firm's growth across all seven practice areas.

Work Highlights

● Founded C. C. Panayi & Co LLP in October 1980 — in its first week alone, the practice signed an international concert promoter, a leading PA sound hire company and a newly signed band.

● Built the firm's specialism in music industry accountancy, covering artistes, management companies, recording studios, sound and lighting companies, publishing, record producers and writers, and concert and crowd security companies.

● Developed a broader general practice alongside the music specialism, serving professionals and trades of all descriptions.

● Led C. C. Panayi & Co LLP through its acquisition by Hentons Chartered Accountants, continuing on as Senior Partner.

Career History

Chris spent over 40 years building and running C. C. Panayi & Co LLP, the accountancy practice he founded in 1980, before its acquisition by Hentons Chartered Accountants, where he served as Senior Partner. He joined KaurMaxwell to bring that same entrepreneurial, relationship-led approach to the firm's business development.