16 company profile


John Burbedge talks to partners of a Thames Valley firm of chartered accountants and business advisers that plainly believes it is ….


In the right place, with the right team, at the right time – Crowe Clark Whitehill


Location is key say the property professionals, talented staff are crucial say recruiters, and good timing is essential to ride the wave of successful progress says almost every boardroom decision-maker. Crowe Clark Whitehill seems to have got all three criteria aligned within its Thames Valley office team


Based in Aquis House overlooking the new regional jewel and transportation hub that is Reading Station, Crowe Clark Whitehill’s team are ideally placed to service the needs of the vibrant and, for the UK, economically vital Thames Valley business community.


With Crossrail and western rail access to Heathrow (WRAtH) set to enhance Thames Valley appeal, not forgetting an overheated London property market encouraging a move westwards, the Reading home of Crowe Clark Whitehill is well located indeed.


Plus, now that the days of ‘battened down hatches’ are distant memories and Thames Valley businesses are again forging their own destinies, the time is opportune for Crowe Clark Whitehill, as a major national audit, tax and advisory firm to be so readily available to support those corporate ambitions.


Local multinational clients of Crowe Clark Whitehill will also already be aware of the firm’s seamless global service, enabled through membership of Crowe Horwath International, one of the top 10 global accounting networks, linking more than 200 independent accountancy and advisory service firms in over 120 countries.


Additionally, the firm has established a proud and award-winning reputation for quality work as technical experts in the fields of corporate business, not- for-profit organisations, pension funds, professional practices, and private client work.


It is very timely too that Crowe Clark Whitehill now has an enhanced, widely experienced Thames Valley team, replete with accountancy skills, local knowledge and international connections, to meet the increasingly complex demands of 21st century businesses.


Strategic growth: resources, skills and clientbase


For the past few years Crowe Clark www.businessmag.co.uk


Whitehall has undertaken a national strategy of growing its advisory services and its partner-led approach to full-service support.


The Thames Valley office, now 85-strong and still growing with six audit trainees joining and additions planned in audit, tax and business solutions, has responded to the challenge impressively with 8% growth in the past year alone.


“Strategically, we are now very much focused on business growth and supporting our core advisory, tax and audit disciplines, which predominantly involve corporates, family and owner-managed businesses. And, for us, it’s less about client size; more about what we can do for them,” explained managing partner Jeremy Cooper.


“It is not always considered the sexy part of the overall market – other firms will go for the so-called ‘dynamic businesses’ – but we are happy to focus on our strengths,” he admitted.


“What we care about is being able to provide added value, quick and excellent service to clients for a reasonable price.”


The Thames Valley office, second only to London, represents around 15% of the firm’s national business, but Cooper points out, it works very closely with CCW’s other UK offices as part of a national ‘one practice’ workstyle. “If someone is buying CCW they are buying the firm’s expertise as a whole.”


However, Cooper expresses strong ambitions for Thames Valley growth. “Our plan is to grow by 50% over the next 3-5 years. We are not well-known in certain sectors and we are keen to change that.”


Addressing that concern will be Chris Penfold, recently appointed as the new Thames Valley business development director. “We have successfully gained industry credibility, but not broad awareness. To support our strategic investment and our growth focus we do need to improve our market branding. While that is important, we won’t be doing it at our clients’ expense,” he stressed.


A series of recent senior appointments have also significantly strengthened the firm’s professional services offering.


Extra expertise from fresh people. . .


In March, Jane MacKay became the firm’s most recent senior hire, as a specialist tax partner. She has returned to Crowe Clark Whitehill after nine years with Grant Thornton, to add extensive experience and expertise advising on tax structures, acquisitions, funding, restructuring and due diligence. MacKay will work alongside tax partner Stuart Weekes who came to CCW in 2007.


In February, qualified insolvency practitioner James Hawksworth joined CCW Recovery Solutions to boost restructuring, turnaround and insolvency support and the function has since gained experienced senior manager Mike Smith to handle solvent liquidations.


Partner Simon Jordan became the Thames Valley office’s first foray into corporate finance and transactional support and specialist Maya Panova has since also joined his team.


. . . combined with ‘home-grown’ talent at the top


Corporate partner Jaki Mitchell has been with CCW for 28 years, gaining board- ranging skills and experience and today specialises in outsourcing and inward investment services. She is also head of the firm’s Business Solutions Group – “Client service is paramount and we do what we promise to deliver, and then some more.”


Also audit and accounting partner Richard Baker who joined CCW 18 years ago has arrived from the Midlands office to focus on the firm’s Market-Listed Clients’ Group, financial reporting issues, plus healthcare, manufacturing and technology sectors.


Audit partners Alastair Lyon and Janette Joyce have combined service with CCW approaching 40 years, mainly with the firm’s highly regarded Not for Profit Unit based in Reading, one of the largest UK accountancy teams covering this sector.


And, right at the Thames Valley top is managing partner Jeremy Cooper, who has been with CCW for 18 years – an audit and advisory partner who now heads the firm’s national Retail and Consumer Group.


Plainly, with five of the nine Thames Valley partners having been ‘home-grown’, Crowe


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – SEPTEMBER 2015


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