Member News

Five new franchisees have recently completed their initial training and have begun trading as TaxAssist Accountants in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Mark Gibbs (Southend on Sea), Martin Murray (Swinton), Salmaan Shaikh (Surbiton) and Prav Tyagi (Manchester South), along with Declan Browne (Newbridge, County Kildare) are the latest franchisees to become part of the TaxAssist Accountants network in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Martin Murray, a FCCA qualified accountant with almost 30 years of experience, said: “Having followed TaxAssist’s progress over a number of years and long history of continuing success and development, I feel confident it will accelerate my practice development beyond what I could achieve on my own. The TaxAssist Brand and operating framework is modelled to give the most efficient working processes which are essential in a very competitive and vibrant sector of the market. I believe this translates into the best value for money a small business can get from their accountant.”

Before joining the TaxAssist network, Prav Tyagi gained more than 20 years’ experience in the finance, risk and regulatory world of UK national and global banks.

“What attracted me to TaxAssist Accountants is its unique approach of ‘retail’ accountancy shops use of scalable integrated software suite, active use of social media, and a strong technical, marketing and operational support team backing you and your business to grow,” explained Prav, who is a Fellow member of both the Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) and Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA), “I am confident of TaxAssist franchise model and look forward to build up a successful accountancy practice.”

Salman Shaikh, a Fellow member of ACCA, worked in a variety of accountancy practices for 15 years before being attracted to the TaxAssist franchise opportunity and praised the initial training he received at the Support Centre at Norwich’s Broadland Business Park. “All the staff have always been supportive, and the organisation culture is professional, progressive, friendly and positive. To work in an accounting practice is one thing, and to run one of your own is entirely another one. With TaxAssist I always get personalised continued support, which really a great thing. Joining the network as franchisee has been a wonderful experience.”

Karl Sandall said: “We were delighted to meet such a fantastic group of new franchisees and we look forward to helping them to grow their practices. They were joined by four other new franchisees who also completed their training and will be shortly be taking the reins of existing practices.” If you would like more information about becoming part of the TaxAssist Accountants network, please email our Franchise Recruitment Manager Nikki Haythorne by clicking the link at the top of this page or call 0800 0188297.  

Group Business Development Director James Mattam has recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with The TaxAssist Group

It was 26th July 1999 that James Mattam joined the fledgling franchise TaxAssist Accountants to be part of a team of just four staff and a network of 41 franchisees.

Having just completed his honours degree in Business Information Systems, James was recruited as IT Manager to build websites and provide support to franchisees. Promotions to Marketing Manager and Senior Business Development Manager followed, before joining the Board of Directors in 2016.

Reflecting on his experience with The TaxAssist Group, James said: “I’ve had a fantastic 20 years working with TaxAssist. I feel very fortunate to have found such a forward thinking and supportive employer which has enabled me to grow both on a personal and professional level and one which I am proud to represent at Board level. I am very much looking forward to the next 20 years!”

To celebrate James’ special anniversary, Karl Sandall, Group Chief Executive of The TaxAssist Group presented him with a cake and a card and thanked him for his hard work and dedication.

Karl said: “Many congratulations to James for reaching this milestone anniversary and also for dedicating himself so enthusiastically to helping to grow the network so successfully.

“Having spent his entire full-time career with TaxAssist Accountants, James has witnessed and embraced huge changes in technology and software over the years and he has played a fundamental role in delivering record client leads to the network, developing new marketing, brand and business development strategies and the expansion of our network of shops.

“James’ recent achievements have involved the launch of a national television brand campaign – the first of its kind in the UK for the accounting sector – and expanding the social media programme for the UK franchise network to drive more awareness in each local territory.

“The TaxAssist Accountants Support Centre in Norwich, which has recently expanded to allow for anticipated growth, has 51 members of staff with 359 years of experience between them. If you combine this figure with the 1,086 years of combined service of our network of 215 franchisees, this really highlights the stability of support and the experience of the accountants around the network.”

Karl Sandall himself heads towards 20 years in franchising in 2020 which also marks the 25thanniversary of the founding of the TaxAssist Accountants franchise.  

We often get asked how to create a secure password.  There are many different ways, but one option is to do the following:  

1. Create a short sentence which is personal to you, which you can remember, e.g. At the weekend, I love to paddle in the sea.
2. Take the first 2 letters of each word in the sentence: Atthwe,Ilotopainthse.
3. Change at least one character to be a symbol: Atthwe,Ilotopainth$e.
4. Change at least one character to be number: Atthwe,Ilotopainth$3.

This provides a really secure password which will make perfect sense to you but appears completely random to on-lookers. Remember, if your password can ever be recovered, rather than being reset, it has not been encrypted correctly!  This is therefore a security risk as your password could be exposed to hackers if they gained access to that system. For added security, always utilise a different password for every system or website you use!   

Spire Solicitors LLP and the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity are pleased to announce a partnership to increase the charitable aims of the Charity, as well as provide benefits to the valued members and staff who are the influential front-line of the NHS service in Norfolk & Norwich.

The partnership will allow for the N&N Hospitals Charity to continue with projects that make the hospital experience a better one for patients, visitors and staff. Donations raised by the charity are used in many ways, from funding toys on children’s wards to lifesaving equipment in various departments or wards. More recently, the Charity launched the Boudicca Appeal to fund the much-needed development of the Breast Cancer Unit at the NNUHFT.

Spire Solicitors LLP will be delivering a series of events and opportunities over the coming months to raise money for the Charity & Trust. The first event will take place in September and will be an open-forum seminar held for the 17,000 strong members of the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals Foundation Trust. It will cover the basics of inheritance tax, estate planning, wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and later-lifetime planning to ensure wishes are met appropriately. 

Kristian Tangen-Sorgendal, Head of Marketing at Spire Solicitors LLP, commented: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely alongside this instrumental charity and parent organisation to help them augment their charitable goals and objectives for members & staff.

Our first event in September is only the start of our long-term plans and we look forward to delivering a comprehensive fundraising and support strategy to all involved under the partnership.”

Louise Cook, Head of Fundraising at N&N Charities, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with the team at Spire Solicitors LLP, whose invaluable knowledge will help support our main aim of improving patient, visitor and staff welfare at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.”

With cyber security a hot topic on board agendas, the appetite has never been stronger for a safe space to learn and engage with fellow business owners on this ever-changing topic.

That is where the Norfolk and Suffolk Cyber Security Cluster (NSCSC) comes in.

The vision for the cluster is to become a trusted source of advice on cyber and information security matters.

By providing a ‘safe forum’ for members to discuss issues, challenges and security incidents and helping to enable and empower businesses and business owners to take their cyber security in hand, the cluster members hope to promote the cause across Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond.

Bi-monthly regional events are being planned to provide useful, actionable insight as well as a chance to network with other, similar businesses to yours.

Other events will include annual half-day workshops which will give access to free training and a chance to meet experts and security vendors.

How to get involved The cluster is looking for new members – sign up on the website and follow on Linked In.

They would also be keen to hear from potential sponsors and supporters as well as speakers – share your expertise, knowledge or experiences. In particular, if you feel able to share your experiences of a data breach, ransomware attack or similar please do get in touch.

A Norwich based IT expert has won an international award for his work within the software development community.

Chris Sainty, Lead Software Engineer with Flagship Group, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution by securing the prestigious ‘Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award’ run by the software giant.

The award is given by Microsoft to ‘technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community.’ The scheme has been around for 20 years and is extremely exclusive – there are only around 2,500 MVPs worldwide with just 153 in the UK. This is out of a technical community of over a million.

Chris’s achievement is due to his work on a Microsoft product called Blazor. He has been blogging about the product for the last 18 months and he has even written about it for a number of high-profile technical publications.

He also offers support and expertise online to fellow software engineers, and more recently, he was  invited to take part in a podcast and present at a software development event in Cambridge.

“I’m delighted to have won this award, I still can’t quite believe it, it’s like signing for a football team like Real Madrid in the software world” Chris explained. “From a professional perspective at Flagship, I hope having an MVP will help us attract more like-minded people that are passionate about technology and inspire others to work towards the award”.

For Chris, this recognition gives him the opportunity to work with the teams at Microsoft. All MVPs are invited to the annual MVP Summit at Microsoft’s HQ. “Having the opportunity to give feedback and help shape the products you love is pretty cool.” Chris said.

This award is highly celebrated at Flagship, an employer who encourage their staff to do great things. Matt Brazier, Director of IT & S at Flagship said: “We are thrilled to see Chris getting this recognition. He is committed to developing his knowledge and technical expertise to meet the needs of our colleagues and customers. Having such expertise in-house is a major benefit to Flagship and winning this award from Microsoft is a huge endorsement for Chris – we are very proud of all that he has achieved”.

MVP status is awarded for 1 year after which MVPs must re-submit for the next year.

*You can read Chris’ personal website here: https://chrissainty.com/

ENDS

28,000 home Housing Association, Flagship and leading national housebuilder Lovell, enter into Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) to secure land and develop more homes across the East of England. Securing land and the delivery of affordable homes is a top priority for major Housing Association Flagship Group. With their significant experience and expertise in the management and provision of affordable homes, matched with Lovell’s technical expertise and construction knowledge, talks established the firms could do more together. As a result, both parties have entered into a joint venture to secure land, in partnership for the development of mixed tenure homes. It is promised that a significant proportion will be earmarked for affordable rent, to address the shortage of housing across the East. The new LLP has been formed in equal partnership in a bid to create quality developments with a strong focus on customer service in both sale and rental provision. The venture will enable both firms to share expertise, whilst securing sites of scale and increasing development opportunities. Managing director of Flagship’s development company, Tony Tann said: “We know we can achieve more with like-minded organisations and working together in partnership, is key in helping us to achieve our ambitious development programme. “Ventures such as these, are crucial in helping support our goal of solving the housing crisis in the East of England.” Simon Medler, regional managing director at Lovell said: “We already have a strong relationship with Flagship that has been built over the past 20 years. We’re confident that our similar values and culture will allow us to deliver this development programme to the highest possible standard. The partnership will help us to deliver much needed housing and benefit communities within the region. The new LLP has been given the go-ahead to start work on an initial 89 properties at its first development in Wymondham, Norfolk. Work is expected to commence on this eagerly-awaited development in September which will see a total of 335 new homes, 111 of which will be allocated as affordable housing and made available through Flagship. To find out more about Lovell visit www.lovell.co.uk. For further information on Flagship visit www.flagship-group.co.uk ENDS

A King’s Lynn manufacturer of male grooming products has doubled exports to Australia after attending a trade show in Melbourne, with support from the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Captain Fawcett, launched in 2010, makes men’s hair and beard grooming products and fragrances which it sells directly to consumers and trade clients. More than 80% of the company’s sales are overseas, with its products available across 35 markets, such as Italy, Holland and Canada. 

The business has boosted its sales to Australia – which has a cosmetics market worth $4.2billion, up 2.3% year on year according to market research company, IBISWorld – after taking part in the largest hairdressing event in the Southern Hemisphere, Hair Expo. It attended the trade show in September 2018 with funding secured through the Department for International Trade (DIT).

At the event, the team from Captain Fawcett was able to network with potential distribution partners and showcase its portfolio of grooming products.

After attending the event, the company’s annual sales to Australia increased from £50,000 to £100,000 thanks to deals secured with distributors.  Sales are projected to increase by 50-100% over the coming year.

International Trade Advisers (ITAs) at DIT also helped the business understand regulations governing the sale of cosmetics in Australia and helped to draw up distribution agreements with its new partners.

Following Captain Fawcett’s success in Australia, the business has now set its sights on India, as male grooming grows in popularity across the country.  

Richie Finney, founder of Captain Fawcett, said: “There’s no better way to establish trading connections than by meeting potential distributors face-to-face.

“Much of our international trading has been forged through establishing one on one relationships with our overseas partners. This way, you’re able to quickly identify if a potential partner is the right fit for the business or not.

“One of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to this approach to doing business abroad is arranging the logistics of travelling and ensuring we meet with the right kind of people when we are there. With DIT support, we’ve been able to visit markets such as Australia to raise the profile of our brand, build relationships and increase our market share. If we can do all of this and succeed, so can others.”

Thinley Topden, Head of Region for DIT East of England, said: “Accessing distribution networks in overseas markets can be a significant challenge for local businesses looking to export. Captain Fawcett’s ambition and admirable entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with DIT helping to secure funding for it to attend the Hair Expo, has meant they’ve been able to face those challenges head on.

“DIT offers a range of support to help businesses wherever they may be on their exporting journey. From advice and training, introductions to valuable international contracts or to help with travel funding.

“We have a network of International Trade Advisers based on the ground in the East of England, and we encourage local firms to get in touch.”

Companies looking for support should call 01707 398 398 or email eastinfo@mobile.trade.gov.uk. They can also visit great.gov.uk, which has information on live export opportunities and includes general information on exporting and events.

Leeway are hosting a charity golf day on Wednesday the 25th of September at Barnham Broom.

Come and support the event and expect to receive a bacon roll, tea or coffee on arrival! 

If that wasn’t enough reason to join the day will also include:

Amazing Networking opportunities

18 hole golf course

2 course meal

Raffle & auction

Photos with Grant Holt and Rob Newman

Please register your interest with Gabriella Harvey-Mobbs, Events and Fundraising Officer:

Tel: 0300 561 0077 Mob: 07894 256063

‘Matthew Shardlake’ (Paul Dickson) and Maids Head Hotel General Manager, Christine Malcolm unveiled a plaque outside the hotel on Friday, August 2 to celebrate the Maids Head appearing in CJ Sansom’s best-selling novel Tombland.

Tombland is the seventh in CJ Sansom’s series of historical novels featuring Tudor lawyer Matthew Shardlake. In the book, he heads to Norwich to look into the circumstances of a horrific murder and stays at the Maids Head, before getting engulfed in Kett’s Rebellion in the summer of 1549.

“We have been offering a special Shardlake’s Norwich package since February,” said Christine Malcolm. “Guests on the package are given a copy of Tombland and have the option of booking a Shardlake tour with our resident tour guide, Paul Dickson.”

“The package has proved very popular, with Shardlake fans heading to Norwich from all over the UK, ” continued Christine. “We have even had visitors from Norway who love the series. It’s the first visit to Norwich for many of our Shardlake guests and the feedback that we get is that they love the city and can’t wait to return.”

“Our plaque, celebrating Matthew Shardlake’s residence at the hotel, is already proving a good talking point, with guests taking selfies as a reminder of their stay.”

Paul Dickson added: “As well as taking Maids Head guests on my Shardlake’s Norwich tour, I offer a series a public bookable tours. People enjoy discovering Kett’s Heights, seeing the remains of Kett’s headquarters, St Michael’s Chapel, and taking in the fabulous view of Norwich and discussing the story of the rebellion.”

“My Shardlake costume, which was made by Penny Knee of the Paston Heritage Society, had its first outing on my Norfolk Day tour. It really added to the whole experience and drew lots of ‘second looks’ from drivers on the inner ring road and Kett’s Hill.”

For more information about the Maids Head Hotel’s Shardlake package see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk.

For more information about the Shardlake’s Norwich tour see www.pauldicksontours.co.uk.

The Maids Head Hotel claims to be the oldest hotel in the UK, based on the site being used for hospitality from the end of the 11th century when the first Norman Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga had his initial palace there.

An inn on the site, the Murtel Fish, is mentioned in court records in 1287. The name, the Maids Head, first appears in a Paston letter, dated 22 November 1472.

Several legends associate the hotel with Kett’s Rebellion. Royal commanders, the Marquis of Northampton and the Earl of Warwick are said to have had breakfast at the Maids Head before their respective battles. Robert and William Kett are thought to have used the hotel as their Norwich headquarters after the defeat of the Marquis of Northampton at the Battle of Palace Plain. 

Soter joined The Chambers back in Feb, and as we are in the same building, I have shared lots of Hello’s and happy sunshine lunches with them, so I know they’re a lovely lot.

When Beth popped down to see us with her plan to help a young boy to go on a school trip that his mum could no long afford due to an unexpected £800 bill to fix her car, we were happy to help! 

Her JustGiving page raised the money in just a week, thanks to local businesses in the area. Well done Beth! 

To read the full article click the link below.

A day all about me? Don’t mind if I do!

Haze Carver: As a member of the Customer Experience Team, I often find myself driving around the Norfolk countryside visiting both potential and existing members for conversations and support – it’s one of the reasons I love my job!

Kate Pigeon-Owen, Manager and Wellbeing Consultant and Sarah Bush, Events Organiser are incredible women running a wonderful company Wellbeing International Ltd who deliver wellbeing on a personal and corporate level. Based in Gissing, they are an international company with clients both in the UK and worldwide.

Their collective vision is to reduce stress within the workplace, by looking after organisations top resource – its staff.

Following this positive meeting in sunny Gissing, Kate invited myself and my colleague Julie to come along to their first ‘Nutritional Health and Feeling Great’ day retreat at Diss by Verve (formerly Scholes Inn) in Norfolk.

I was thrilled to be invited, and was really keen to learn more on how what we eat and drink impacts our overall health, wellbeing, sleep and energy levels and image. As a full-time working (menopausal) parent, these are issues I deal with daily.

The venue, Diss by Verve is a beautiful historic coaching Inn, and the atmosphere was calm and peaceful and we immediately felt at home with the other guests.

Throughout the day, we met an energetic, witty fashion consultant on colours and style, we tried some delicious Raw food (spinach and mango, my new favourite) and were introduced to dehydrated nuts! Wow!

Sarah talked us though her incredible journey of weight loss and the benefits she has discovered on the Keto Diet.

My favourite part of the day was a fascinating questionnaire that uncovered our history with food and how our upbringing can have an impact on our eating habits, I found it an incredibly insightful day, and met some interesting women too. It ended perfectly with a relaxing mindfulness session. 

The workshops and services on offer with Wellbeing International cover a wide range of areas;

10% More Energy Workshops Teambuilding/motivational days Communication skills Industry specific days i.e. for lawyers, accountants Sleep Workshops  – how to wake up refreshed Menopause Workshops Confidential 1:1 stress management sessions Retreats – for both the corporate and private sector

It was a fun, informative day, and our enormous thanks go to Kate and Sarah for letting us join them.

If you are interested in attending one of Kate’s Day Retreats, the next upcoming event is A Day For Me! is Sunday September 15th at Abbey Hall, Eye, Suffolk – book before September 1st for the early bird discount