- John Conlon, highly regarded for his expertise in child law, representing children, parents and family members along with 20 years experience in family law.
- Alison McGowan is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and the Association of Lawyers for Children, she specialises in complex court proceedings, including care, private law children matters, special guardianship and adoption.
- Hannah Bell, specialises in representing parents in arranging contact orders, residency and guardianship along with supporting parents and family members where the Local Authority has issued care proceedings or commenced pre-proceedings.
Six new appointments at Lincolnshire law firm
Six new people have joined the Lincoln office of rapidly-expending law firm Pepperells.
Joining the Pepperells Lincoln team are:
Hot Topic – WestBridge Tax Director Tom Moore responds to Chancellors Spring Statement
Business Link Magazine catches up with WestBridge Tax Director Tom Moore over the tax changes announced in the Spring Statement.
“Is that it?”, one opposition MP was heard to call out in the House of Commons, just as Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered the last of his key announcements. The comment was probably a reaction to the relative paucity of help offered to those struggling with the cost of living but might also reflect the thoughts of those in the accountancy and tax professions.
There were a few changes of note.
A change to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) increases both the ‘Primary Threshold’ for Class 1 NICs and the ‘Lower Profits Limit’ for Class 4 NICs from 6 July 2022, aligning them with the personal allowance for income tax which is set at £12,570 per annum. The intention is that these thresholds will remain aligned. That provides both a welcome simplification and a tax saving of up to £330 per annum for those affected.
The ‘Employment Allowance’ will rise from £4,000 to £5,000 from April 2022. This means eligible businesses and charities will be able to claim a greater reduction on the NICs they pay and, from the 2023 to 2024 tax year onwards, their Health and Social Care Levy liabilities.
A time-limited zero-rate of VAT for the installation of certain types of energy-saving materials was announced. The zero-rate will be available for a period of 5 years and will then revert to the 5% reduced rate of VAT.
Rates of Fuel Duty will be reduced for 12 months. This includes cutting rates for diesel and unleaded and leaded petrol by 5 pence per litre. The cut will translate into a reduction in the cost at the pumps of around 6p per litre meaning that the cost of filling the average tank will fall by an estimated £3.30.
The Chancellor also signalled forthcoming reforms aimed at encouraging businesses to invest more in capital spending, provision of high-quality employee training and research and development. There was also the headline announcement of a proposed reduction of the basic rate of income tax to 19% in two years’ time.
Should we have expected more? Probably not.
In the early months of the year speculation concerning tax changes invariably runs rife and the fortune-telling skills of tax professionals are tested by clients and journalists– normally to the point of failure.
Until 2016, the March Budget represented the single most significant statement of tax changes. Since 2017, we have had a ‘Spring Statement’ and a Budget in the late Autumn. Those not paying close attention would be forgiven for being a little confused. We had grown accustomed to both events being, in effect, ‘Budgets’ with both containing a raft of tax changes in broadly equal measure.
Technically – and until relatively recently – only the ‘Budget’ was where the Government announced tax changes. The ‘Budget’ told us how the Government was going to raise money and the ‘Statement’ (whether Spring or Autumn) told us how that money was going to be spent.
If the Spring Statement seemed a little short on announcements that may only be a return to the traditional roles of ‘Budget’ and ‘Statement’ (even if the calendar has changed). As a self-confessed failure at prediction, I for one, would welcome that.
Buckles Solicitors announced as Nottingham City Business Club headline sponsor
Buckles Solicitors LLP has officially been announced as the new headline sponsor of Nottingham City Business Club.
Nottingham City Business Club (NCBC) is the oldest business networking club outside of London and will celebrate its one hundredth year in 2024. Keen to establish a headline sponsor, NCBC has agreed a deal with Nottingham-based Buckles Solicitors – a regular attendee of the club’s events and former headline sponsor from 2017 to 2020 – to resume its position as headline sponsor.
NCBC’s membership is currently made up of 80 individual businesses with each member having the opportunity to attend 10 in-person lunches per year at Nottingham’s Park Plaza Hotel, alongside a range of social events and an annual charity golf day.
Buckles Solicitors is a well-established and expanding law firm with offices in Nottingham, Stamford, Cambridge, Peterborough, London, Paris and Milan. Its team of legal specialists deliver a comprehensive range of legal services to businesses and individuals in the UK and internationally across various sectors, with particular expertise in planning and environmental law, construction and engineering, rail, employment, company and commercial law, commercial disputes and dispute resolution, together with private client wealth preservation and estate planning services. The firm also remains committed to supporting family businesses and entrepreneurs.
In 2015, Buckles was awarded LawNet’s “Law Firm of the Year” award and the firm was complimented for its exemplary client and employee care, clear strategic direction and sustained financial performance.
Nigel Rowlson, President of Nottingham City Business Club and Managing Director of The Dairy Creative Agency, is delighted to welcome Buckles on board once again as the club’s headline sponsor and sees this as a great opportunity for both parties.
“As face-to-face events resume and our one hundredth anniversary nears, having Buckles on board again is great news for the club.”
“We really want to drive success for NCBC not just in the short-term, but the long-term too – and welcoming Buckles back as our headline sponsor really adds value to our events. Likewise, this is a great opportunity for Buckles to raise its profile further and engage with Nottingham’s business community,”
He continues, “One of my main aims when I became president was to increase the number of members and engage with a growing number of local speakers at our events. The pandemic meant that we lost some of our member base but we’re now increasing our numbers rapidly again and we’re excited to have a number of great local entrepreneurs as guest speakers this season – including Tesla, East Midlands Airport, Doughnotts and DHP Family/Rock City”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team at Buckles for agreeing to be our main sponsor again and I’m looking forward to us forming a long and healthy partnership.”
James Coppinger, Partner and Head of Nottingham office at Buckles Solicitors, commented on the company’s decision to renew its sponsorship of NCBC this year.
“Given our proven track record of assisting businesses in Nottingham and across the region, and our long-standing links with NCBC, we’re delighted to have this role within the network. The monthly lunches and networking events are always very well organised and the range of speakers the club attracts is inspirational. It’s great for us to be involved once again!”
Deadline for making Tax Digital just 48 hours away
VAT-registered businesses have until Friday this week to complete preparations for Making Tax Digital for VAT.
HMRC says MTD helps taxpayers get their tax returns right by reducing common mistakes as well as saving time managing their tax affairs and is a key part of the overall digitalisation of UK tax.
Evidence shows MTD is succeeding in its central aims of reducing errors, while also making it faster to prepare and submit returns, and boosting productivity for businesses. New research, conducted by HMRC and peer reviewed by independent academics, shows MTD is likely to have generated increased revenue through reducing errors in both 2019 and 2020.
Nearly 1.6 million taxpayers had joined MTD for VAT as of December 2021, with more than 11 million returns successfully submitted. Around a third of VAT-registered businesses with taxable turnover below £85,000 have voluntarily signed up to MTD for VAT ahead of April 2022, and thousands more are signing up each week.
VAT-registered businesses that have not yet signed up to MTD for VAT should do so now. All VAT-registered businesses must use MTD for VAT for their first VAT return starting on or after 1 April 2022. Businesses should use the time left to choose the software that is right for them, whether that is one of the simple free options available, or a more advanced product for those with more complex affairs.
Lucy Frazer, HM Treasury’s Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Businesses using MTD are saving time on their tax affairs, streamlining their processes and boosting their productivity as a result. Our first move towards a modern, digital tax service – MTD makes it easier for businesses to get their tax right first time.
“There is a range of support and information available for those that need it – including accessible online content such as YouTube videos, GOV.UK help pages and HMRC’s Extra Support service.”
Businesses could be compounding current skills shortage says new report
Businesses will continue to lose skilled workers if they continue to disregard the significance of how menopause symptoms such as joint pain, hot flushes, memory loss, fatigue and anxiety, can dramatically impact performance in the workplace, according to a new report.
According to Irwin Mitchell, this lack of action is compounding the current skills shortage and it will make it more difficult to attract new employees. Lawyers also warn that it could result in businesses facing costly discrimination claims in the future.
The study of 1,025 HR decision makers working across British businesses found that only one in five employers consider menopausal symptoms during the performance reviews of female staff. This is despite it being widely accepted that the effects of the menopause can be debilitating for a woman’s physical and psychological wellbeing. Symptoms have a huge impact on a women’s confidence in work, lead to periods of absence and, in some case resignations. The survey also found that only 13% of organisations that had a high representation of women in their workforce had a menopausal policy.
According to Irwin Mitchell, this lack of action is compounding the current skills shortage and it will make it more difficult to attract new employees. Lawyers also warn that it could result in businesses facing costly discrimination claims in the future.
Partner Jenny Arrowsmith said: “These are disappointing results and when you consider menopause is an issue affecting the fastest-growing demographic in the UK, namely women aged 50-64, it’s clear businesses must do more.
“It’s about time that menopause is openly discussed as a health and work issue and for employers to demonstrate that they take it seriously. Establishing a menopause policy is a simple and valuable starting point.
“Not only does a menopause policy help promote positive change within an organisation, it sets a framework for evidencing how it will approach conversations about the menopause, what support affected employees can expect to receive, and where they can access additional help. In doing so, it reduces the risk of costly disputes.
“There has been a significant rise in the number of employment tribunals where menopause is mentioned over the last two to three years and as awareness of this issue grows, we expect to see complaints increase further. Our survey demonstrates that there is a considerable amount of work still to do. This risk will increase if additional legal protection is given to those who have significant menopausal symptoms, which is something the Women and Equalities Committee are considering.
“Organisations that have woken up to the issue and are aware of the challenges that women face when going through the menopause are in a much stronger place to attract and retain colleagues who are often at the peak of their experience and have many more productive years ahead of them.”
A survey by menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson found that 99% of respondents said their perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms had led to a negative impact on their careers, with more than a third calling the impact ‘significant’. Almost 20% were off more than eight weeks and half of this group resigned or took early retirement.
She said: “I am saddened yet unsurprised by the findings of the Irwin Mitchell survey. The themes that highlight the challenges and inequalities perimenopausal and menopausal women face at work continuously reoccur in research and I have found similar findings through my own. It is the responsibility of organisations to create a menopause confident environment and the evidence suggests that those who do, retain talent and empower both their female and male employees.”
Fit for Business series launched to help upskill business owners and entrepreneurs
Business Lincolnshire is partnering with CDI Alliance to produce a new podcast series going live today.
The Fit for Business series will focus on upskilling current business owners and those who are thinking about starting their own company.
Sessions will span everything from the name of your business, legal structures, how to create a business plan, and much more. Guy Lewis, co-director at the CDI Alliance and the podcast’s host, is passionate about helping SMEs become more profitable by using technology. The bi-weekly series will feature a different guest each week, specialising in a particular subject area.
Guy says: “With the podcast, we want people to be able to absorb the knowledge and information we’re featuring in a way and at a time that suits them. We want it to get them to a position where they feel they need more than this, and from there we’d encourage them to reach out to us, to go to a masterclass, or ask questions of the advisors pertinent to their particular businesses.
He added: “We want to help businesses get the information they want, and get them to their next stage, whatever that may look like.”
The Fit for Business podcast will be available anywhere you stream your podcasts.
Multiple high-level promotions at Leading architects
Watson Batty Architects, which has offices in Loughborough and Leeds, has made four high-level promotions.
Robert Jagger has been promoted to Associate Director with a remit to grow the already established residential and specialist living sector portfolio at Watson Batty. Robert has over 16 years’ in-depth experience in both sectors and will work closely with registered providers, contractors, and local authorities to deliver innovative design solutions. He will also continue to lead on maintaining standards across the practice including Revit software and BIM Level 2 compliance.
Rob Cundy has been promoted to Associate and will assist in developing business across higher education whilst helping to mentor younger architects through qualifications and career path development. Rob has over 22 years’ industry experience working with both private and public sectors and has designed complex projects for Durham, Newcastle, and Leeds Beckett Universities
Gemma Bottomley is also promoted to Associate, primarily working across the specialist living sector and helping to develop the interior design service at Watson Batty. Gemma, who has 14 years multi sector experience, will also lead on dementia design compliance across the practice and is developing schemes towards gold standard University of Stirling Dementia Design Accreditation.
David Whalley also becomes an Associate, further developing the large-scale master planning expertise at Watson Batty. With 22 years’ industry experience focused on the living and specialist living sectors, David will help grow the PRS and student residential sectors and ensure that the practice is at the forefront of fast-moving technological advancements in the industry. He is also part of the practices’ sustainability taskforce in response to the climate crisis and commitment to the RIBA Climate Challenge.
Watson Batty Architects employs a team of 35 across studios in Leeds and Loughborough, and expects to surpass its £2.8m turnover targets by around 7% by April year end.
MD Peter White said: “These well-deserved promotions represent the future of Watson Batty and have proved themselves to be at the forefront of design innovation and aspiring leaders in their respective sectors.
“With a strong business pipeline and robust and incentivised team in place, we are pushing forward with a business priority on sustainability as we face the urgency of the Climate Crisis. We have established a sustainability taskforce to address this and to guide our clients on how to design and deliver buildings on the journey to net zero. Our principles look to drive change within the industry in sustainability as well as fire safety, modern methods of construction and inclusive design.”
Zero vat rating introduced on energy-saving materials
The Chancellor is to zero VAT rate on energy-saving materials and installation in a bid to help families cut their energy costs and make improvements in decarbonising their homes.
The Solar Trade Association has welcomed the move, which will last for five years starting from tomorrow.
Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK’s Chief Executive says: “Solar Energy UK is delighted to see VAT reduced on solar and other energy saving materials for residential use, after many years of calling for this. It is common sense for the Treasury to be encouraging greater uptake of all zero carbon technologies in the face of an energy security crisis and climate emergency. It will be seen as a real endorsement of solar, as well as improving the pay back for many consumers who may be on the fence.”
“Reducing the VAT rate on energy-saving materials and installation would help families cut their energy costs permanently and afford improvements towards decarbonising their homes” he said.
The Spring Statement highlights: “To help households improve energy efficiency and keep energy costs down – as well as supporting the UK’s long-term Net Zero ambitions – the government is extending the VAT relief available for the installation of energy saving materials (ESMs).
Taking advantage of Brexit freedoms, the government will include additional technologies and remove the complex eligibility conditions, reversing a Court of Justice of the European Union ruling that unnecessarily restricted the application of the relief. The government will also increase the relief further by introducing a time-limited zero rate for the installation of ESMs. A typical family having rooftop solar panels installed will save more than £1,000 in total on installation, and then £300 annually on their energy bills”.
UK education sector first as Netherfield-based Findel secures £18m sustainability-linked loan facility
Educational resources supplier Findel has secured what is believed to be the UK education supplies sector’s first sustainability-linked loan facility from lender Santander UK.
The Netherfield-based company will use the £18m facility to support its medium-term growth plans whilst driving its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments.
The company’s origins as an educational resources supplier can be traced back to 1817. Today, Findel’s brands and websites offer more than 32,000 products to educators and parents based in the UK and overseas with the business exporting to 130 countries.
The company is backed by private equity firm Endless, which supported a management buy-out in April 2021.
To qualify as a sustainability-linked loan, Findel has made specific annual commitments regarding improving its carbon footprint and making its products sustainable, or sustainably improved, with a focus on removing single use plastics.
In addition, the company has committed to supporting an increasing number of its employees to engage in charity or community activities and improving its supply chain ESG audits for suppliers operating in higher risk global markets.
Findel’s progress against these commitments will be independently monitored by a third-party sustainability-linked loan assurance provider.
Dependent upon Findel’s performance against these improving annual commitments, the interest rate on the Santander UK debt facility could go up or down over its six-year term.
Any savings in interest costs made from Findel hitting its ESG targets will then be donated to support relevant community programmes and charitable causes.
Findel Chief Executive, Chris Mahady, said: “In many respects, Findel has been an ESG-focused business since it was founded because of the dedication we have always had to education, care and helping children learn and develop.
“Being able to secure what both we and Santander UK believe to be the UK education supplies sector’s first sustainability-linked loan facility is something we are very proud of.
“It will ensure we further embed ESG at the heart of Findel, enable us to lead by example as a sustainable and responsible business in the markets we serve and invest in new products and services for the benefit of educators and parents worldwide.”
Chris Thomas, Santander’s director, structured finance, financial sponsors, said: “Findel is a leading player in the educational supplies market. We are delighted to provide funding to support this next important phase of its growth strategy which is the first Sustainable Linked Lending facility to be provided by Santander UK’s Financial Sponsors team.”
Wendy Whewell, Santander UK’s head ESG & climate change, added: “It has been a pleasure working with Findel on this transaction. In our discussions with the management team, it is clear that sustainability is built into its ethos. Its stretching and ambitious targets will build on the work it has already undertaken and its commitment to collaborate with all its stakeholders to ensure that they will all be on a just transition to net zero.”
In addition to its distribution centre and offices in Netherfield, the company has its headquarters in Hyde, Greater Manchester, and employs around 300 people in total.
Findel was supported on the transaction by Richard Siddall and Louise O’Sullivan from PwC debt advisory and Phil Scott and Laura Swift from law firm Walker Morris. Financial due diligence was undertaken by Dan Rosinke and Nikolai Naidoo at Grant Thornton. Santander was advised by Matthew Christmas and Noori Goffar at law firm DLA Piper.
Partner at Derbyshire firm of accountants puts away his calculator at 84
A partner at a Derbyshire firm of accountants is putting away his calculator and retiring – at the tender age of 84.
Brian Sutton of Moorgreen, near Eastwood, retires on Thursday (March 31) from Mabe Allen, who have offices in Derby, Ilkeston and Ripley. Brian began cutting his hours down at the age of 70, latterly doing two days a week, but now he is definitely finishing work.
His career started when he was articled to the Nottingham firm of Taft, Baldock and Winstanley. He qualified in 1959, staying for a couple more years.
He was then employed by Fuller, Worboys and Co in Ripley as a chartered accountant, rising to become senior partner before the company merged with Mabe Allen in the 1990s when Brian moved to the Ilkeston office.
At one time the Ripley company did the accounts for pop group Paper Lace before they became famous.
While most people retire at 65 Brian still helped people with their books and tax matters. ”I continued working because I enjoyed it and meeting clients,” he said. “I have been very lucky with good health and I’m proud to say that I have only ever had two half-days off sick through illness in 60 years.”
A keen sportsman, Brian played tennis, squash and badminton until he was 60 when he took up golf. “I still enjoy playing a round of golf over 18 holes twice a week,” he said.
Now he is preparing to spend more time with the green grass in his garden. “I’m now going to get on with some of the jobs that have built up over the years and treat myself and my wife Karen to more holidays,” he added.
Mabe Allen managing partner Kevin Slack said: “Brian has been very committed, particularly giving dedicated service to all his clients and good sound advice over the years as well as helping the practice to grow. Sixty years service is exemplary and all his colleagues wish him well.”
Stepping up at the firm is tax director Stephen Foulkes (49) from Ripley, who has spent more than 30 years at the firm.
He started at the company’s Ripley office as an accounting apprentice in September 1988 as a 16-year-old straight from Ripley Mill Hill School. He has spent his time at the office in Derby Road until moving to the headquarters on Osmaston Road, Derby, four years ago.
He becomes tax partner on April 1. “It’s daunting but I’m delighted,” he said. “To have those dedicated years of service with the firm recognised in this way is great.”
Until recently he was chair for five years of the East Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. He has also been treasurer for 10 years of the Nottingham, Derby, and Lincoln Society of Chartered Accountants.
But away from balancing the books he is a dab hand at tinkling the ivories as a semi-professional organist performing at concerts across the country.
“When I visited Blackpool Tower as a six-year-old and saw the world-famous Wurlitzer organ was when I got the bug,” he said. “I have since had the privilege of playing the organ on a few occasions. “Rising up from the floor of the stage as people often see on television while playing is an incredible feeling.”
