Triple Exam success for local Chartered Accountants

It’s a triple celebration for three team members of Exeter based chartered accountants; Haines Watts who have each passed their professional exams.

Ryan Lewis, Emma Banfield & Andy Chant

Andy Chant (32) has completed his final exams enabling him to become a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT). Emma Banfield (22) joined the firm in October 2010 and is looking forward to developing her career with Haines Watts after passing the first two Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) exams. Finally, Ryan Lewis (24) who has been with the local office for four years has recently completed the professional stage of his ACA qualification, bringing him a step closer to gaining his Chartered Accountancy qualification.

Ben de Cruz, Senior Partner Haines Watts Exeter says: “We believe it is fundamental to invest in our staff training and we are very proud of the hard work they have put in to achieve such great results. By having an experienced and qualified team and being able to offer a range of services means we can ensure our clients are receiving the best service.”

http://www.hwca.com/accountants-exeter/  

250 mile charity walk celebrates 250th anniversary of local Investment Managers

Employees of Wealth and Investment Management company Brewin Dolphin, based in Langage Business Park Plymouth, walk 250 miles in heavy summer rain to raise monies for St Luke’s Hospice.

The team together with partners and four-legged friends each set off for a 12 mile walk. The combined trek covered a total of 250 miles to celebrate the company’s 250th anniversary and raised a total of £584 for the local charity. The route commencing at Mount Batten incorporated Jennycliffe, Bovisands, Wembury, Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo with the last leg of the hike ending at Stoke Beach.

Brian James Divisional Director – Brewin Dolphin Plymouth says: “We always support local Plymouth charities where we can and in particular St. Luke’s. Although taking place at the height of the British summer, it was an unseasonal cold day and the rain was relentless and we all got soaked to the skin. It did not, however dampen the spirits of the team and was a great way to celebrate our 250^th anniversary year by raising much needed funds for a very worthy local cause.”

www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/events/Swimathon.aspx

www.brewin.co.uk/plymouth

Exeter City Centre Manager 'slashes' ribbon to officially open new cafe!

Exeter City Centre Manager John Harvey officially opens an exciting new Moroccan-style café based at Evolution, a spiritualist centre and shop. The unconventional ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by John using a traditional Viking sword and Buddhist prayer flags and proprietor Dudley Hambleton dressed as ‘Merlin’.

John Harvey joins the Evolution team for the Crystal Cafe opening 

The new ‘Crystal Café’ which opened for business on 7^th July, seats up to 45 customers in the intimate dining room and outside private courtyard. Exeter-man Luc Francis, an experienced chef has created a bespoke menu where customers can choose from a selection of high-quality organic, vegetarian and vegan fare to make their own perfect repast. All produce is sourced locally, freshly prepared daily on site and served on historically accurate crockery from the 16^th/17^th Century accompanied by bronze cutlery.

Left to right: Dudley Hambleton (Proprietor) Angela Foster, Luc Francis (Chef ) John  Harvey (City Centre Manager) and Linda  Credland-Proctor (Cafe Manager)

Based in Fore Street, Evolution has had only one change of ownership over the last 20 years before being acquired by local businessman Dudley Hambleton in November 2011. Switching from ‘corporate to crystals’, former co-director of Concorde Copiers, Dudley purchased the business in November last year and has invested substantial funds in refurbishment, updating and extending the number of services and products on offer. This includes selling ethnic clothing, fair-trade African jewellery and a comprehensive range of exciting ‘wizardry and magical’ books for both children and adults. Since taking ownership, Dudley has also introduced a diverse range of workshops and therapies by a full qualified team of counsellors and therapists hosted in numerous therapy and seminar rooms located in the three storey building.

Dudley Hambleton Proprietor Evolution says: “In my previous role I was co-director and founder member of Concorde Copiers which we built up into a very successful business with branches across the South West. At that time I was very much deep-rooted in the commercial world, however, one day out of the blue I had an amazing and unexpected first-hand spiritualist experience which changed my life. As a result I know my calling is in the spiritual world and find myself much more fulfilled and at peace. It is my desire to make Evolution ‘The Spiritual Centre of the South West’ with something for everyone including different and interesting sessions held in the evenings including astrology, crystal therapy, mediation and a drum circle.”

John Harvey Exeter City Centre Manager says: “It’s an absolute pleasure to reopen Evolution, one of the many fabulous independent businesses in Fore Street. The eclectic and exciting mix of retailers in Fore Street is strengthened by the presence of Evolution and I wish the team the best of luck in growing their business over the coming months and years. The team at Evolution are great and their future is a bright one.”

Evolution, 117 Fore Street, EXETER EX4 3JQ

T: 01392 410759 

Facebook: EvolutionExeter

Devon Accountants Toast National Award Success!

Champagne corks popped across the County when the individual teams at Haines Watts Exeter and Bideford offices celebrated winning ‘Auditor of the Year 2012’ in the SME’s category at the national FD’s Excellence Awards.

Haines Watts Exeter  - Senior Partner Ben de Cruz toasts his team
Photographed courtesy of Mark Campbell of On The Mark Photography 

The prestigious awards ceremony held in Grosvenor Square, London and hosted by Real Business in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), recognises excellent service within financial management. The awards commemorate the work of FD’s and those supporting business including banks, auditors, recruiters and financial software providers, who are perhaps less widely recognised but essential to business success.

Haines Watts is a Top 20 firm of Chartered Accountants that specialise in the owner managed business sector with a broad range of services and over 80 years experience in working with privately owned businesses. From audit, accountancy, tax, VAT, financial services, expense control, corporate finance and business advice.

Haines Watts North Devon LLP - Managing Partner John Edwards (centre) 
Photographed by Glen King

The group has a national network with over 50 offices and each office operates independently offering a wide range of services tailored to the local market and the Devon offices are made up of Exeter and Bideford based Haines Watts North Devon LLP. Each office provides accountancy and taxation services to SME’s across the UK with the primary area of focus in the South West dealing with owner managed businesses and individual’s tax affairs. Exeter Office also has a Forensic accountancy team which undertakes work throughout England and Wales.

Ben de Cruz, Senior Partner Haines Watts Exeter says: “This accolade is particularly important as it was voted for by more than 1,000 Finance Directors and decision makers in our target SME market. It’s an honour to be publicly recognised and I think it’s important to share the group’s success with the staff who work so hard at a local level. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our clients that voted for Haines Watts, for their confidence in us and we look to continue to support their businesses in the coming year.”

Haines Watts North Devon LLP, formerly known as Sully & Co (Bideford) was acquired by Haines Watts Exeter last year. The Bideford team looks after over 500 owner managed businesses including corporate and professionals, small businesses, sole traders and the farming community.

John Edwards Managing Partner Haines Watts North Devon LLP says: “Both Ben de Cruz of Exeter Office and I felt it was important to share this success with each of our teams in recognition of their individual contribution which has resulted in the group receiving this coveted award. The award exemplifies what Haines Watts is all about; affordable excellence and personalised service. It is an exciting time for Haines Watts and since we joined in August 2011 we are able to offer our clients a wider range of services and continue to go from strength to strength.”


www.hwca.com/accountants-exeter/
www.hwca.com/accountants-north-devon/

North Devon Chartered Accountants Appoint New Partner

Vince Edwards / Jonathan Gifford / John Edwards

Chartered accountants, Haines Watts North Devon LLP, formerly known as Sully & Co (Bideford) announces the promotion of 29 year old Jonathan Gifford to partner which now makes the firm a six-strong partnership.

In August 2011 Sully & Co (Bideford) became members of the Haines Watts Group which has over 50 offices nationwide and over 30,000 UK clients. The Bideford team looks after over 500 owner managed businesses including corporate and professionals, small businesses, sole traders and the farming community.

John Edwards Managing Partner Haines Watts North Devon says: “Jonathan combines hard work with an intelligent and creative approach to clients’ problems. He has specialist knowledge of owner managed businesses with extensive experience of the agricultural sector and brings with him a wealth of skills and experience. We are delighted to admit him to partnership where we know he will make a huge contribution to the ongoing success of the firm and our clients. The move is all part of our practice development strategy following the acquisition last year by Haines Watts.”

Having obtained a Civil Engineering Degree in 2005, Jonathan joined Sully & Co (Bideford) and four years later qualified as a chartered accountant.

Jonathan Gifford, Partner Haines Watts North Devon LLP says: “It’s a great honour to be appointed as partner in recognition of my loyalty to the firm. I am results driven and have gained a reputation for working tirelessly on behalf of my clients based on an honest and straight-talking approach. I look forward to continuing to help them minimise tax bills and maximize business success.”

http://www.hwca.com/accountants-north-devon/