The Brown&Co Partnership was created in 1993 and is celebrating its 25-year anniversary in April 2018.
The business was bought from Royal Life by twelve adventurous Partners with the philosophy of “making and taking opportunity”. Nothing has changed apart from the size of the business; now there are 30 Partners, some 250 employees and 15 offices in the UK and overseas.
The Firm’s first year of trading involved offering and selling three or four decent farms to a rising market, which very neatly helped to defray the outlay made for the business. Coincidently, 1993 was the first year of form-filling for IACS and agents and farmers were deflected from normal market purpose for two to three months, but when the market started it was confident and robust.
Nice 15-20 acre fields of Wisbech silt sold for up to £3,000 per acre, whereas a 3,600 acre estate in West Norfolk with thirty houses sold for only a little over £2,000 per acre! The early partnership had a positive age mix of thirty to forty year olds, with five main Partners leading and guiding and was based around an immediate sense of acceptable risk, entrepreneurship and initiative, which remains at the heart of the Firm.
Partnership philosophy and trust bound the Firm then and still does, with a common interest, which is to serve clients, make money, give honest, real and professional advice outside the confines of a corporate framework and “to be as good as we can be at what we do”.
Aston Shaw, a fast-growing East Anglian accountancy firm has announced the acquisition of the Norwich-based practice, Tax Solutions.
Tax Solutions was created in Norwich by two partners in 2000, who having both experienced running companies in different business areas, pooled their knowledge and specialisms to create Tax Solutions, which was incorporated in 2003.
The small-scale accountancy practice is comprised of a team of four and has been servicing a wide-range of clients across East Anglia for almost 20 years. Tax Solutions has built a significant reputation for service excellence since then.
Mark Noakes, Director of Aston Shaw said: “We’re excited to begin working with the Tax Solutions team and we look forward to welcoming a new range of clients to our firm.” Adam Holloway, Accountant at Tax Solutions added: “My colleagues and I are very excited to begin working with Aston Shaw, I think that the fact we share such a similar ethos will make the transition process a smooth one for everyone involved”.
Tax Solutions are set to move from their current premises on Rackheath Industrial Estate to Aston Shaw’s head office in Norwich during early April.
Leading business process outsourcing company QX Global Group has been awarded the Master Franchise rights for Canada.
TaxAssist Accountants, the UK’s largest network of small business specialist accountants, and leading tax and accounting franchise, is now launching in Canada. This is following successful expansion to the Republic of Ireland, Australia and the USA.
The Master Franchise rights will cover the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the operation headed up by Niraj Mehta, Senior Vice President of Business Operations at QX Global Group. Niraj is a qualified chartered accountant, with almost 20 years of experience spanning various roles in professional service organizations, including 13 years at KPMG.
Karl Sandall, Chief Executive Director of The TaxAssist Group, said: “We are delighted to have awarded our Canadian Master Franchise rights to the internationally known and respected QX Global Group. The team are all highly skilled individuals who share our passion and vision, which, combined with our 25 years’ experience in building and running a leading franchise network, bodes well for future success.”
QX Global Group is expecting a surge of interest in franchising in Canada during and post the coronavirus pandemic, as accountants re-think their professional lives.
TaxAssist Canada will be QX Global Group’s first big investment in 2021. Franchising is an area of strategic focus and continued investment for QX Global Group as it expands capabilities to help accountants in industry, individuals with a financial background, as well as those that already own an accounting practice and wish to develop as part of a global brand.
Chris Robinson FCCA, Executive Chairman and Founder of QX Global Group, stated: “We are constantly exploring strategic opportunities where we can add value, and this partnership with The TaxAssist Group hits all the right buttons. We look forward to building on our long-standing relationship with TaxAssist, and this just seems like a natural progression to establish a new line of services in the North American region.
“Canada has one of the largest franchise industries in the world, and there are currently no businesses in Canada which are offering a uniquely-packaged accounts, tax and advisory service dedicated to small businesses, so Canada represents a significant growth opportunity for the TaxAssist Accountants brand.”
The Master Franchisee team are looking to acquire an existing accounting practice and convert this to a TaxAssist Accountants operation by April 2021, along with launching franchisee recruitment activity and hosting Discovery Days, for anyone interested in finding out more about the franchise model. The team will be engaging with Rina Mancini who has a long standing relationship with The TaxAssist Group.
We’re delighted to share that Pop Connect Norfolk successfully launched two new business networking groups in Norwich this September.
And our brand new Great Yarmouth group launches on 22nd October.
If you’re looking to grow your network and connect with like-minded business owners and consultants, we’d love to welcome you as a visitor to one of our groups.
Visitors tickets are £30 and include tea/coffee and lunch.
Attleborough-based renewable heating firm, Finn Geotherm, is seeking 10 new employees following the award of a multi-million pound contract to install 21 heat pump projects in the public sector.
Established in 2006, Finn Geotherm is one of the UK’s most experienced heat pump installers. The new contracts will see the company design and install 21 different air and ground source projects in public sector locations across East Anglia and further afield. These landmark installations will use the latest in large scale heat pump technology to deliver renewable heating systems which are highly energy efficient and will significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Finn Geotherm is recruiting for the following positions:
1 x multi-skilled maintenance engineers
2 x commercial plumbers / pipe fitters
3 x electrical engineers
2 x trainee heating engineers
2 x trainee electrical engineers
Guy Ransom, commercial director for Finn Geotherm, said: “Having been awarded these significant new contacts, we are in a privileged position to be able to appoint 10 new team members to join our award-winning business. We have been installing heat pumps for more than 15 years and there is no doubt that as the Government continues to press forward with its targets to meet net zero carbon emissions, heat pumps are the future of heating. This is an opportune time to join an expanding and very exciting industry. We’re looking forward to welcoming successful applicants to become part of our team and get straight to work on these brilliant green heating projects.”
Finn Geotherm recently completed the installation of a six-phase district (communal) heating scheme for housing association Flagship Group to provide heating and hot water for 113 homes in Felixstowe. Using a ground source heat pump system, this was the third project Finn Geotherm has completed for Flagship and the largest of its kind in the region.
The Norwich Good Economy Commission (NGEC) is a collaboration between Norwich City Council, University of East Anglia and other organisations in the local economy.
The NGEC will create a unique forum for our community to come together and address some of the problems in our city’s economy, by creating a space for sustainable, innovative projects, backed by consistent research and evidence.
The NGEC are currently offering an exciting opportunity to help promote the NGEC and its mission. They are calling for tenders to help them create a product or platform that can be used to initiate conversations about the economy and encourage community engagement with the Commission.
The Hopestead Community Champions initiative recognises, celebrates and thanks people who have been making a difference in their community in Norfolk;
Organisers have had a fantastic response with many acts of kindness highlighted in the nominations;
The closing date is 14 March and people in Norfolk are encouraged to nominate their community champions.
‘A tower of strength,’ ‘guardian angels’, ‘an inspiration’, and ‘selfless’ are just some of the descriptions for nominees of the Hopestead Community Champions initiative – with organisers saying they have been inspired and humbled by the response so far.
The initiative was launched in February to recognise, celebrate, and thank people in East Anglia who have made a positive difference in their communities during the challenges of the last year.
Over 100 nominations have been received so far with each one highlighting the incredible ways that people have been supporting others during the pandemic.
Now, with the closing date of 14 March fast approaching, people in Norfolk are being encouraged to nominate friends, family, neighbours, or themselves – who have gone the extra mile in their communities.
The initiative has been set up by Hopestead, the charity which aims to end homelessness in the East of England. Marie-Claire Delbrouque, CEO of Hopestead explained:
“At Hopestead, we believe in community and the response to our Hopestead Community Champions initiative is testament to the power of community, and the difference that we can all make for each other.
“Our nominations reveal kindness in abundance, and it is a privilege to read about the support and help that so many have given within their communities. It is truly humbling and reminds us that positivity can emerge from the most difficult of situations.
“If you haven’t yet nominated there is still time to do so. This is our opportunity to share your stories of support and shine a light on those people who have made a tough time a little easier through their actions.”
Nominating is simple, and can be done by emailing Weare@hopestead.org or by visiting www.hopestead.org. Alternatively, people are also encouraged to post pictures and their nominations on social media with the hashtag #HopesteadChampions
The deadline for nominations is Sunday 14 March and all nominees who have been making a difference in their communities will be recognised and provided with a thank you gift. Hopestead will also seek to announce and feature the Hopestead Community Champions on their social media channels.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended until the end of September 2021
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme began in March 2020 and was introduced to assist both employees and employers from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Scheme currently pays 80% of an employee’s wages when they are unable to work during the pandemic. At a cost of almost £50 billion, it has protected 11 million jobs so far and has already been extended twice with a further extension recently revealed until the end of September as part of the Budget for 2021. The price of not extending it would probably lead to a further rise in unemployment, which has already reached a new rate of 5.1%, the highest figure for five years.
What is furlough?
Employers might need to put some or all of their employees on temporary leave (‘furlough’) during the coronavirus pandemic. This means an employee can agree with their employer to be put on furlough to stop work temporarily but remain employed or to work some of their usual hours and be put on furlough for the hours they did not work; this is ‘flexible furlough.’
Who can be furloughed?
Employers can put someone on furlough provided they were employed on or before 30 October 2020. They do not need to have been on furlough before.
Employers can furlough employees who are temporarily unable to work because they are shielding, they have childcare responsibilities whilst the schools are shut or if they are caring for a vulnerable person in their household.
Extension of The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Under the latest extension, employers will pay 10% of the furlough in July and 20% in August and September.
From 1 July 2021:
the government will pay 70% of wages, capped at £2,187.50
the employer will need to contribute 10% (up to £312.50)
From 1 August to 30 September 2021:
the government will pay 60% of wages, capped at £1,875 each month
the employer will need to contribute 20% (up to £625)
As with the Scheme when it was first introduced back in March 2020, the employer should decide whether they will top up furloughed employees’ wages to 100% however, they are not obliged to.
Redundancy Pay and Notice Pay
When calculating Statutory Redundancy Pay or Statutory Notice Pay for furloughed staff, the employer must use the employee’s full normal pay, not their reduced furlough rate.
What furloughed staff can and cannot do
Furloughed staff can do:
volunteer work – as long as it is for another employer
training to keep their skills up to date
Furloughed staff cannot:
do tasks or activities that make money for their employer
provide a service for their employer
How many people have been furloughed?
11.2 million jobs have been supported by the scheme since March 2020
About 4.7 million people are currently on furlough (up to 31 January 2021)
The highest take-up rate has been in the hospitality industry with 1.2 million jobs furloughed (as of 31 January 2021)
4 out of 10 employers are using the furlough scheme
What help are self-employed getting from the government?
A fourth grant from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will be available from April 2021.
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme is set at 80% of 3 months’ average trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500. The fourth grant will take into account 2019 to 2020 tax returns and will be open to those who became self employed in the 2019/20 tax year – the rest of the eligibility remains unchanged.
Who can claim the fourth grant?
You must be a self-employed individual. To work out your eligibility, your 2019 to 2020 Self Assessment tax return is first looked at – your trading profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to your non-trading income. If you are not eligible based on your 2019-2020 Self Assessment tax return, the tax years 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 are then looked at.
You must have traded in both tax years:
2019 to 2020 and submitted your tax return by 2 March 2021
2020 to 2021
You must either:
Be currently trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus
Have been trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus
You must also declare that:
You intend to continue to trade
You reasonably believe there will be a significant reduction in your trading profits due to reduced business activity, capacity, demand or inability to trade due to coronavirus
The UK government also announced that there will be a fifth and final grant covering May to September. You will be able to claim from late July if you are eligible for the fifth grant. The fifth grant will be determined by how much your turnover has been reduced in the year April 2020 to April 2021.
The fifth grant will be worth:
80% of three months’ average trading profits – capped at £7,500 (for those with a turnover reduction of 30% or more)
30% of three months’ average trading profits – capped at £2,850 (for those with a turnover reduction of less than 30%)
Hatch Brenner Solicitors offers Employment Law advice to Employers and Employees. Contact info@hatchbrenner.co.uk or call 01603 660 811.
In this week’s episode of Impromptu Business Chat, James and Mark chat about the likely challenges businesses will face as lockdown restrictions are eased and hopefully removed as the UK moves targets its “VC Day” on 21 June 2021. As usual they come up with 3 top tips to prepare businesses for the ‘new normal’, and along the way they take inspiration from MHA Larking Gowen, Silicon Valley, and Madonna.
Freebridge announce launch of annual community fund
The application process for the 2018 Freebridge Community Fund opens from Monday 9 April, with £5000 once again on offer to local community groups and charities.
The annual fund gives groups the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £1000 to support a community and voluntary activity that meets the needs of the community within West Norfolk.
Applications are welcome from organisations whose aims include:
– Promoting health and wellbeing;
– Tackling disadvantage;
– Supporting local solutions to local needs;
– Promoting community cohesion;
– Developing sustainable and supportive communities,
and – Improving the environment
The allocation of monies available is made by a panel made up of Freebridge employees and tenants, last year £5000 was shared between Solace End of Life Support, West Norfolk Mind, West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association, The South West Norfolk Youth Opportunities Project, West Norfolk Befriending, the Purfleet Trust and 4transform.
Freebridge Director of Housing, Robert Clarke, said: “Although our main role is to provide good quality affordable housing for people across the area, we feel strongly that we have a responsibility to play a role in supporting stronger, vibrant communities in West Norfolk.
“The Freebridge Community Fund provides to organisations on a very local level which we feel fills a need not met by either public funding or more major charities.”
The application process is open from Monday 9 April until Friday 9 June. Applications can be made by visiting www.norfolkfoundation.com/funds/freebridge-community-housing-fund/
Akcela are delighted to confirm that James Adams and Matt Lawley have joined Readingmate as advisors and shareholders as the company begins its journey towards accelerated growth.
Readingmate offers parents a unique approach to encouraging and developing the love of reading in children. This is achieved through a three-pronged approach; the Readingmate app (to encourage and inspire children to read), the Readingmate learning Hub (to empower parents and educators) and the bookshop that gives back (through donations to schools and charities).
Speaking on the engagement, James Adams – Director of Akcela was delighted to be involved with such a worthwhile cause. “Readingmate brings together two incredibly powerful elements. Firstly, as a cause it’s something that resonates with people easily. There’s a clear outcome to what is trying to be achieved. Secondly, we have been able to work together to create a clearly defined differentiated value proposition. The next few months are going to be incredible exciting for Readingmate, and we are delighted to be a part of that.”
Co-Founder James Rix has been impressed by the work Akcela have achieved in bringing Readingmates’ core value proposition to a commercialised offering and implementation strategy so quickly. “We knew we had a great product, we knew what we wanted to achieve, but we had hit a bit of a wall in terms of commercialisation and next steps. There’s been a lot of work with our system, what we know it can do, what separates us from the others. We’ve been able to revisit this and reframe that at the centre of what Readingmate is. That’s exciting, because you can see the goal, you can see it’s achievable, but we also have milestones to make it happen.”
Co-Founder Hannah Rix was focused on how recent developments help deliver the foundation that Readingmate was set up to achieve. “We have a real sense of purpose with Readingmate, how we strive to develop the opportunities of young people through the love of reading. We will soon be actively engaging schools in and around Norfolk to discuss the business in more detail. When we look at what every party gains by being involved, it really is a win-win-win situation. We think we have something special with what we want to do.”
Staff safety solution Safepoint has been appointed by the East of England Co-op – the fourth largest consumer co-operative in the UK – to offer a tech-based safety solution to protect its growing fleet of lone delivery drivers. Each delivery driver is now equipped with a wearable Alert Button allowing users to request emergency help – anytime, anywhere – with a single tap.
The East of England Co-op has recently partnered with grocery delivery app Snappy Shopper to offer home delivery from 32 of its 122 food stores across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. This new service enables Co-op customers to purchase items and have them delivered directly to their door in as little as 30 minutes.
During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the UK government added food delivery drivers to the list of UK key workers, demonstrating their importance in society. Whilst drivers are working long hours to meet increase in demand, they are also at a high risk of infection – delivering to those self-isolating and asymptomatic – potentially exposing themselves to the virus. Delivery drivers are recognised as carrying out an essential role, but compared to their counterparts, are in some cases offered the least protection.
Callum Coombes, CEO of Safepoint, says: “Protecting lone workers in transport is not only a matter of safeguarding your employees but your business too. Safepoint is extremely proud to be partnering with the East of England Co-op to provide a solution which will ensure their fleet of delivery drivers feel safe when out on the road and delivering to their valued customers”.
Lee Hammond, Head of Security for the East of England Co-op, says: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is always our first priority. With the introduction of our home delivery service, we wanted to make sure our colleagues felt safe as they travelled across our trading area”.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that ‘up to a third of all road traffic accidents involve someone who is at work at the time. This may account for over 20 fatalities and 250 serious injuries every week’. Driving on the roads will always present a danger – but for delivery drivers there are additional risks to consider when working both on-site and with the public.
Safepoint’s safety solution makes use of automated alarms with no need for a mobile phone signal – ideal for rural areas in the East Anglia region. Alerts can be triggered in a number of ways – if the user taps the panic button on the app or Alert Button, if the device detects a fall, or if the user fails to check-in within a limited time. Alerts are then monitored and received at Safepoint’s GuardianPlus Response Centre – a fully accredited state-of-the-art monitoring and alarm receiving centre (ARC), manned by a team of highly skilled and qualified experts, trained to deal with emergency situations.
Lee Hammond adds: “As a fellow local business and having collaborated with Safepoint for some time at the ARC, we’re extremely proud to be strengthening our relationship. The technology they have in place is incredibly easy to use, which is important for our colleagues when they are out on the road. Allowing us to track the progress of our delivery drivers and respond swiftly to any calls for support, is a comfort to our colleagues as they carry out their vital role for our communities.”
Callum Coombes concludes: “The convenience sector has really ramped up their online and delivery offerings as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. We know how important these services are for people, particularly when they are unable to leave their homes for essential items. We’re happy our technology can help play a part in keeping not only the delivery drivers safe, but the public too”.
Safepoint’s partnership with the East of England Co-op is alongside the rollout of the Snappy Shopper online home delivery service across 32 of its stores in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, with plans to roll out the service to further stores over the next 12 months.