28 focus on southampton
A director who plans to lead from the front
Andrew Alder is enjoying being back at the business frontline directly helping entrepreneurs achieve their commercial ambitions and advising SMEs on successful strategic solutions
Which is good news for Solent area companies, and RSM Tenon clients in particular, writes The Business Magazine’s John Burbedge, since Dorset resident Alder has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the region, not to mention local professional contacts forged over more than 20 years.
The other good news is that this new audit, tax and advisory director will be heavily involved with the running of RSM Tenon’s new Bournemouth office on Holdenhurst Road, in the centre of the region he knows well.
“It’s always been a dynamic business centre, and we are now seeing new opportunities arise.
I’m sure people will appreciate using local advisers with a Dorset address,“ he said.
Alder will also be involved in business development activity throughout the Solent region. He has joined RSM Tenon from Princecroft Willis based in Poole, where during his tenure as managing partner he led a four-fold growth.
Alder admits that the move to RSM Tenon was the fulfillment of a personal ambition. He had reached a stage in his career where he knew he had wide-ranging abilities to help clients. And, he wanted to enjoy again that fresh daily stimulus of client-faced involvement, but with a larger firm – the seventh largest in the UK – that has more scope, resources and possibilities.
“Here, I have got so much more in terms of support services and resources that I can dip into to help my clients, not least the RSM International network for those involved in business abroad. I can put them in touch with a trusted professional adviser virtually anywhere in the world.“
Alder will be in his ’comfort zone’ at RSM Tenon, as he is familiar with assisting SMEs up to £50 million turnover.
“People who know me, will realise that I wouldn’t have joined RSM Tenon if it didn’t have something special to offer.
“It’s an opportunity to get back to basics; back to dealing directly with clients rather than being involved with the distraction of administrative and managerial tasks. Like most professionals, I recognize that the true enjoyment and rewards of this profession are in the client-days, personally helping clients resolve their business challenges.“
www.businessmag.co.uk
Joining as a director in RSM Tenon’s Southampton audit, tax and advisory team, Alder has particular specialist expertise in the property sector including development, construction, and investment property. He also focuses on professional practices, in particular law firms and financial advisers, and the hospitality sector (hotels, clubs, restaurants and holiday parks).
Alder has personal experience of the latter. Having gained a degree from Surrey University, he worked in London hotels before running his own in the Cotswolds with his wife.
“I am a firm believer that the sort of clients I deal with fundamentally want one key relationship person that they regard as their accountant, their business adviser. And, it is my job to understand that client’s philosophy, their aspirations and personal concerns, and to provide specialist services that are relevant and proportionate to their individual needs,“ adds Alder.
“I’m the bridge between my clients and all the services that RSM Tenon has to offer“.
Bearing in mind that RSM Tenon prides itself on providing director-led teams of professional advisers who deliver exceptional service and add real value to their clients’ businesses, Alder’s proactive style of working should fit in well.
Details for RSM Tenon Offices
Southampton: 023-8064-6464 Bournemouth: 01202-554456 Basingstoke: 01256-312312 Portsmouth: 023-9265-8331
Alder ... and wiser
Topical comments from RSM Tenon’s new adviser
Solent business “Nowadays, you’ve got to be good. There are no easy business wins, no easy sectors. Service standards and product quality have to be right, you have to give value, and if you don’t, then you won’t survive.“
Overcoming downturn issues
“Good professional advisers come into their own when times are tough. They seek out funding, advise on tax and cost-efficient structures, and provide the vital sound financial advice that can be the difference between a project being viable or non-viable.“
Property
“Banks and lenders don’t have confidence in funding the sector at the moment. But also, the costs of operating as a developer today are huge – planning, HSE compliance, and so on – so even those developers with funding of their own are tending to sit on their hands.“
Residential buy-to-let
“While this sector is booming again, it’s vital that both companies and individuals understand the taxation implications involved.“
Red tape and regulation
“Outsourcing is a sensible way to overcome the hassle of complicated red-tape and regulations affecting a business, while providing accurate and meaningful management information that can improve operational efficiencies and underpin a company’s tailored business plan.“
Audit
“Audit changes are affecting everyone. Audits today need to be carefully planned and very carefully executed. RSM Tenon has invested in the latest practices, software, and training to ensure that we can perform audits in a very efficient and effective way for clients.“
Tax
“We have lived through a fairly benign taxation period, but now tax is a huge issue for entrepreneurs and SMEs to deal with. Once again, sound professional advice is essential.“
Solicitors
“There are going to be opportunities for outside investment in the legal sector. The volume market is unlikely to be in private practice, particularly if ’Tesco Law’ materialises.“
Consumer spending
“The big unknown is what the public sector cutbacks will do to consumer spending. I think the retail sector is bracing itself for the worst at the moment.“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – APRIL 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40