Tag Archives: Business Advisory

Finance and Banking, News, North of England

HURST blazes a trail with new Vistage Inside leadership development programme

Independent accounting and business advisory firm HURST is blazing a trail with a new leadership development programme for 12 of its rising stars.

HURST is the first accountancy firm headquartered in the north to launch a Vistage Inside programme for future leaders.

Vistage, with 45,000 members worldwide, is a global leader in personal development and advisory groups for CEOs, key executives and leadership teams, providing insight, fresh perspectives, peer advisory groups, coaching and mentoring.

The two-year Vistage Inside programme combines tailored workshops with speaker sessions, insight papers, webinars and one-to-one coaching.

HURST’s bespoke Developing Leaders initiative is being delivered by Victoria Gee, former managing partner at executive search company Warren Partners, in her role as the founder and chair of a Manchester and Cheshire Vistage CEO peer advisory group.

The programme began this month with a full-day workshop and a talk by award-winning speaker, business author and ‘corporate athlete’ Brad Waldron on the key habits of highly-effective leadership.

Chris Stewardson, the HURST partner who is leading the programme for the firm, said: “The partners firmly believe it is essential to equip our developing leaders with the commercial, client and people skills to ensure the continued success and growth of the practice.

“Several of the HURST board have benefited from Vistage membership for some time, and we are now bringing Vistage to a wider group of people in the firm who are developing into a leadership role. The group is very excited to be working with Victoria to assist with their self-development and look forward to putting their learnings into practice.”

HURST focuses on advising entrepreneurial owner-managed businesses with turnover of £10m and above across all sectors. Clients include Kinaxia Logistics, M&I Materials, Beechfield Brands, Duerr’s, Oliver Valves, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Krones UK, Creamline Dairies, Arighi Bianchi, Scapa Group and Hyde Group.

Victoria said: “HURST’s senior leaders have seen the value of developing their skills and knowledge in partnership with our organisation, and it’s great to see the firm taking an impressively proactive approach to developing its leaders of the future and investing to ensure they continue to meet the expectations of its entrepreneurial client base and team.

“The practice has a fantastic culture, a great reputation and a strong position in the market, which all set it apart, but its leaders understand they cannot be complacent as they compete to attract, retain and grow their talent.”

She added: “We provide an environment where people can learn and be challenged in an open, supportive way that’s aligned to the culture at HURST.

“Our aim is to ensure that they are not only great technical accountants but also rounded leaders who understand entrepreneurs and the challenges and opportunities they face, and who are equipped to have the right conversations at the right time.

“As the first accountancy firm headquartered in the north to have launched a VI programme of this kind, it’s extremely exciting to be working with HURST and helping to bring on its next generation of leaders.”

Andy Perkins, managing director of international operations at Vistage UK, said: “The partnership between HURST and Vistage is a great example of our mission in action.

“Through this collaboration we’ll be able to support HURST to do more of what’s important to the firm – focusing on personal and business growth, supporting its people to become better leaders who make better decisions and achieve better results, as well as placing the values of trust, challenge and care at the centre of everything they do.

“We know that better leaders have a positive impact on their companies, families and communities, and we are thrilled to be supporting HURST in its continued growth plans and developing its leadership talent of the future.”

HURST is due to move its head office to a new flagship development in Stockport in the spring to accommodate its growing team. The firm is taking 11,000sq ft at 3 Stockport Exchange, the latest phase of a £145m project by Muse Developments and Stockport Council.

HURST is taking a 10-year lease and will occupy the entire fifth floor at the building. It has been based since 1998 in Tiviot Dale in Stockport town centre, but has outgrown those premises. The new HQ will give the firm scope to expand from 120 staff to around 170, which it aims to achieve over the next three years.

News

Malt set to redefine the future of independent talent with Freelance Advisory Board

The committee will help address the challenges and opportunities faced by freelancers and consultants and how companies can better connect with independent talent

London, January 2024 – Malt, Europe’s leading freelancer marketplace facilitating connections between businesses and freelancers, announces the launch of its Freelance Advisory Board, a consultation committee bringing together 17 freelancers and consultants from seven countries to help Malt shape its strategy across Europe.

A new governing body has been selected from a community of 600,000 freelancers registered on Malt’s platform and gives a voice and active role to its international community of freelancers. Members of this committee have completed over 500 assignments in eight categories of business expertise, such as tech, marketing, design, and strategy consulting.

Charlotte Gregson, Country Head UK at Malt, said: “Our goal at Malt has always been to create an environment where the voice of every freelancer is heard and valued. The formation of the Freelance Advisory Board is a testament to that commitment. Harnessing the unique experiences and insights of this diverse group will enable us to better meet the evolving needs of our community and shape the future of work. We’re not just launching an advisory board but unlocking a shared journey of collaboration and innovation”.

Acting as a stakeholder committee, the advisory board will also have an advocacy role, representing the freelancers’ voices during Malt’s discussions with public decision-makers to keep changing the rules about freelancing and help influence policies defining the future of work.

Dr Gary Crotaz, Executive Coach and host of The Unlock Moment podcast, added: “The best businesses stay closely connected to the voice of their customer, and Malt is no different. The Board will help highlight challenges that freelancers face and improve the experience for both clients and freelancers to create seamless and highly successful engagements. We care about fixing the pain points, like scoping the project, negotiating the price and getting paid. But we also care about helping freelancers grow, so accessing the resources that employees often benefit from, like mentoring, coaching and personal development opportunities. It is my honour and privilege to represent the UK on the Freelancer Advisory Board.”

Members of the Freelance Advisory Board will meet annually with Malt’s management to discuss strategic subjects such as product vision, new features and services, as well as product pricing and daily rates, creating a unique opportunity for Malt to gather their ideas and address potential difficulties.



Accountancy & Accounts, Apprenticeships, News

HURST to welcome school leavers on to its trainee accountant programme

Accounting and business advisory firm HURST is offering school leavers the chance to join its trainee accountant scheme for the first time in its 40-year history.

HURST is opening the programme to applicants with three A-levels or equivalent.

The firm is also offering places to graduates with lower second-class honours degrees for the first time. Until now, there has been a requirement for trainees to have at least an upper second-class honours degree.

Another change sees HURST open its programme to those seeking qualifications from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) rather than solely from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

HURST partner and director of practice development Simon Brownbill said: “We have seen placement and work experience students make a fantastic impression with us over the years, demonstrating that there are quality people out there without university degrees who would be great additions to our team.

“Our rapid growth means we need more applicants, and we also want to improve diversity and reduce barriers to entry. As we look to build our business at an even faster rate while continuing to develop our own talent, the time is right to offer careers to school leavers.

“We welcome applications from a range of backgrounds, and will be using the same recruitment process for school leavers as we have in place for graduates. The standard to get a place at HURST will remain the same. The process is under way, as we are seeking trainees for our 2022/23 intake.”

School leavers joining HURST will receive paid leave for study and examinations, leading to the same qualifications they would get had they graduated from university.

Each newcomer will be assigned a mentor and will have a tailored career plan, which will see them working with partners and managers on a range of assignments with clients, and including possible secondments overseas.

Meanwhile, HURST has also launched a development programme for accountants seeking to progress through the ranks all the way to manager and partner level.

Simon added: “Our retention levels have been phenomenal, and this has been down to a focus on working with the very best clients, a supportive culture, and providing career development. As the firm grows, we want to give more people these opportunities.”

 

News, North of England

Accounting and business advisory firm HURST sponsors Stockport Pride festival

Accounting and business advisory firm HURST has signed up as a sponsor of this summer’s Stockport Pride festival, which is taking place in-person for the first time since 2019.

The annual LGBTQ+ festival will be held at Stockport Market Place from 11am to 6pm on Sunday, July 31, with a range of entertainment and stalls including music, crafts and drag acts. The event is free to attend and is open to all.

A parade filling town centre streets with rainbows will take place during the day, It will begin on Bridgefield Street, a short distance from HURST’s headquarters in Tiviot Dale and will make its way to Suffragette Square, through Merseyway and on to the market place.

Stephen Bowyer, Stockport Pride’s chairperson, said: “It will be amazing to be able to hold our first event since the start of the pandemic, and the support of firms such as HURST is invaluable in helping the community and demonstrates a dedication to equality, diversity and inclusion.”

HURST chief executive Tim Potter said: “We’re an inclusive and diverse employer, and community groups which reflect these values are really important to us.

“We are delighted to support the Pride organisation with both sponsorship and attendance at what promises to be a fantastic and very enjoyable event.”

News

Retiring former PKF Smith Cooper Partner was ‘one of the foundations upon which the firm was built’

Respected former Partner and Audit Director Janet Morgan retires after dedicating 20 years of her career to PKF Smith Cooper.

 Janet’s illustrious career began back in 1984, when she qualified as a Chartered Accountant for a sole practitioner. This was followed by a position at Deloitte Haskins & Sells and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

In February 2002, Janet joined PKF Smith Cooper in a Senior Manager role within the audit and assurance department, quickly being promoted to Partner.

During her time with the firm, Janet held numerous voluntary and charity positions with The University of Derby, Derby College, and the RSPCA.

Of her time at PKF Smith Cooper, Janet commented: “During my 20 years with the firm, I’ve been lucky to have had the pleasure of working with lots of amazing people and clients, many of whom are still with the firm. I would just like to thank all of these people for making my time with PKF Smith Cooper such a fun and happy one.

I have always felt proud and privileged to say I was part of PKF Smith Cooper, and I wish the firm every success in the future.”

Senior Partner, David Nelson, said: “I’d like to congratulate Janet on her retirement and the fantastic career she has had. She is one of the foundations upon which the modern PKF Smith Cooper business was built and has enjoyed excellent relationships with her colleagues and clients throughout.

“I’ve enjoyed working with, and learning from, Janet and wish both her and husband, Ian, every future success for a long and happy retirement.”