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We are delighted that 2 of our staff are now fully qualified ACA Accountants, StJohn Richardson and Sarah Crabtree passed their final exams in December and we are looking forward to them having a long career at Howard Worth.

StJohn and Sarah celebrating the news with Managing Partner, Richard Barnett

Howard Worth Go for Gold

Following our “Going for Gold” charity bike ride event in the summer. The “Olympic” torch made it way via lots of participating UK200 Group Solicitor and Accountancy firms down to London to the Olympic Stadium. A fantastic amount of over £29,000 was raised and this was presented to the Alzheimers Society at the recent UK200 Group Annual Conference which was held in Liverpool.

Mike Donnan and Chris Swallow were at the event and are pictured here helping to present the cheque to the Alzheimers Society.

Nantwich Show 2011

With record visitor numbers and a gloriously sunny day this years Nantwich Show was a huge success. We enjoyed catching up with lots of our clients and contacts. We sponsored a calf and sheep class and are very pleased to be supporting the show.

Richard Barnett presenting the calf handler winner

Our stand was Highly commended in the professional category

The HW Team

Rose Rowland presenting the sheep class winner

Raising Dough for Breast Cancer

Staff from Roberts Bakery came to deliver their new gingerbread “ladies in bikinis” biscuits to us yesterday to raise awareness for their Raise Dough for Breast Cancer Campaign. Roberts are hosting a ball in September to raise money for this great cause. We are happy to support them – and the biscuits taste great too!!

The members of Rural Women in Business Networking group held their May meeting at The Abbeywood Estate, Delamere, we had a delicious home made lunch and then Lauren Rowlinson who runs the Wedding and Events side of the business with her husband,  gave a talk on how they had created the business, following which her father in law Harry Rowlinson gave us a guided tour of the magnificent gardens and history of the house and businesses which they are involved with. 

Warrington Business Breakfast

We recently co-sponsored Warrington Business Breakfast where there were 70+ business owners networking with a guest speaker, the event is run by Trish Peters, Business Development Specialist.  If you are interested in attending, details can be found at  www.businessbreakfastgroup.co.uk

Profit Improvement Programme - Seminar

Over 30 Solicitors attended the seminar at Gadbrook Park.  Andrew Hague outlined how legal practices can improvement profits, from cash flow and debtors to firm structures and management.

For further information on this and future seminars for the legal sector, please contact Allison Vidler on 01606 369000.

Left - Andrew Hague, Partner Howard Worth,    Right – Viv Williams, Chief Executive Officer, 360 Legal Group

Budget Breakfast Seminar

Over 130 clients and contacts attended our Budget Breakfast Seminar held at Portal Hotel Golf and Spa, where our team of Tax and Finance Experts outlined how the budget will affect businesses.

l-r Mike Donnan Tax Partner, Julie White Senior Tax Manager, Ailsa Cowdell VAT Manager, Andrew Hague Partner

Dairy Farming, Today, tomorrow and beyond

Expert speakers in the Dairy Industry updated over 130 Dairy Farmers at our Event held in Partnership with Barclays Bank and NWF Agriculture. 

Richard Barnett, HW Managing Partner Chaired a very lively evening with guest speakers Euryn Jones, Agricultural Specialist, Barclays talking about the challenges that Dairy Farming is facing and updated on some specific agricultural projects that the bank are lending on.  Ian Potter of Ian Potter Associates who gave an animated talk on dedicated retailer contracts and a unique up front, sobering and unmissable view on dairying life and

David Warrington, Managing Director of NWF Agriculture who spoke about the future of the industry and how thinking out of the box and taking an entrepreneurial and leadership approach could be the way forward for many Dairy Farmers.

nwfagriculture.co.uk | ipaquotas.com

Photo l-r Richard Barnett, HW Managing Partner, David Warrington, Managing Director, NWF Agriculture, Ian Potter, Ian Potter Associates, Euryn Jones, Agricultural Specialist Barclays

Rural Women in Business

The annual Rural Business Women Training Day recently took place at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, where 30 ladies attended to learn about Self Generating  PR for your Business whilst attempting to maintain a healthy work life balance.  Guest speakers and topics were

Rose Rowland, Partner, Howard Worth, gave an insight into holding down a successful career whilst being a busy working mum.

Katie Lomas, Reporter, Farmers Guardian, How to get your business in the press

Susanne Price, Enterprise Delivery Hub, Reaseheath, An outline which grants are available to Rural Businesses.

Case Study – Marnie Dobson, Chestnut Meats

Marnie and her husband Tim took on Radmore Green Farm which is a livestock farm in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire countryside in 2000. Initially a dairy farm it is run as a livestock farm with some cattle and pigs a large breeding herd of Boer Goats and a cutting plant. They have an online shop selling Pork, Beef and Goat meat. Marnie will give us the background to her business, the challenges they have faced, how they have marketed the business and how she manages to maintain a healthy work life balance.

Tracey Wall, Empowering Mums

Tracey Wall, founder and director of Empowering Mums and Empowering Mumpreneurs, is a professional and accredited personal coach.

Tracey provided hints and tips for ways to improve work life balance for mums trying to juggle business with home life

Photo l-r Marnie Dobson, Tracey Wall, Rose Rowland, Susanne Price, Katie Lomas

Kevin Dickens retirement

After 43 years service to the practice Kevin Dickens, Senior Partner has retired from Howard Worth Chartered Accountants.  43 years service to any firm is truly remarkable.  Kevin joined the practice on the 11th September 1967 and became Partner in 1975.  He specialises in tax and business planning for family owned businesses and claims to have seen every problem under the sun and found solutions for most of them.  Kevin has always enjoyed meeting other accountants and exchanging ideas in his professional life. He says it’s not only good for the individual but for the practice as well and so he began to join in with Institute matters from an early age and in 1983 he became the youngest President of the Chester & North Wales Society of Chartered Accountants.  In 2008 he became Chairman of the UK200 Group a role which he relished.  Kevin has been at the forefront of the practices growth and has been instrumental in leading us forward.  To mark Kevin’s retirement, The Partners are holding  a party, for over 200 guests,  where all staff and many of Kevin’s clients and business contacts are attending. All the staff and partners at Howard Worth, wish him well and a long and happy retirement.

The members of Northwich Women in Business, a networking group which we run,  came together to brighten Easter up for the Children who visit the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT), based in Millington, who provide holidays for disadvantaged Children www.caft.co.uk , by donating Easter Eggs at their recent networking meeting.  The Easer Eggs will be distributed to children who are at the farm for a holiday.  Further information on Northwich Women in Business please contact wib@howardworth.co.uk, 01606 369000

Photo l-r  Julie Whalley, Partner Howard Worth Accountants, Julie Gray, Fundraiser CAFT

Warrington Business Breakfast

Howard Worth recently co-sponsored (with Solicitors Myers Lister Price) Warrington Business Breakfast, where over 80 Warrington based businesses networked over breakfast with motivational guest speaker Eilidh Milnes www.eilidhmilnes.com  who livened up the room with ways to improve your networking skills.

If you are interested in joining the group please contact events@howardworth.co.uk

Photo l-r  Trish Peters (Group Co-ordinator), Eilidh Miles, Professional Speaker, Dawn Beschorner, Marketing Manager, Howard Worth

Staff at Howard Worth recently had a teddy collection which were donated to the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust.  CAFT give every child who has a holiday at their facility a teddy bear which is theirs to take home with them, these are waiting on their beds when they arrive.  Staff donated 6 bin bags full of teddies, which you can see here with Alistair (CAFT), Sally & Richard Barnett and Dawn Beschorner handed them over.

Sally Barnett, Alistair Lang (CAFT), Richard Barnett, Managing Partner

Managing Partner Richard Barnett has been on a fundraising mission to raise funds for local children’s charity, the Children’s Adventure Farm trust in Lymm the charity offers  free adventure breaks and activities to children who are disadvantaged by illness, disability and poverty, from all over the Northwest (further details at www.childrensadventurefarm.org)

Richard and his wife Sally recently went to hand over the donation in excess of three thousand pounds, recently.

The events that have contributed to the donation are.

Richard ran the Nice to Cannes Marathon in early November – all sponsorship monies donated.

Richard and Sally recently celebrated their joint 50th Birthday’s with a party at Chatsworth House, where in place of presents donations were given.

Howard Worth recently held a quiz night and invited SAS Daniels Solicitors and Natwest Bank where we had a charity race night with the proceeds donated.

Richard also celebrated 30 years at Howard Worth in October and he had a donation from the Partners in place of a gift.

Howard Worth co-ordinate two ladies networking groups

Northwich Women in Business and Rural Business women as we recently held our Christmas lunch at the fantastic venue of Peckforton Castle, Tarporley.  The ladies enjoyed a lovely lunch and great networking. 

Howard Worth Launch their Membership of the Corporate Finance Network

We recently held a launch event to announce our membership of The Corporate Finance Network – the national network of accountancy firms specialising in helping small, medium-sized and owner-managed businesses to grow. ­­­

Around 70 guests representing banks, solicitors’ firms and other professional organisations attended The Corporate Finance Network launch event at Peckforton Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire on Thursday (November 25th).

The Corporate Finance Network is made up of selected accountancy firms and business advisors, offering comprehensive business advice. Specialising in raising finance for businesses and buying or selling companies, members offer particular expertise on deals worth up to £3 million.

We have been selected as the network’s exclusive representative for Cheshire. As well as our own corporate finance expertise, the firm has access to the network’s Executive Team, which has more than 50 years’ combined experience in advising owner-managed businesses on issues including buying a company, due diligence investigations, exit planning, selling a company, fundraising and business planning.

Chris Swallow (Corporate Partner), said: "Over the past few years, we have focused on providing clients with a realistic approach to their business planning, including corporate finance solutions and have seen a significant flow of new enquiries from clients and contacts in relation to business acquisitions and disposals and other more commercially focused transactions in this time. 

“Now our membership of The Corporate Finance Network will help us develop a centre of excellence in providing finance solutions – expertise that not all accountants can offer – and formalise our service standards.”

Richard Barnett (Managing Partner)  said: "We are absolutely delighted to be launching these enhanced services and we’re looking forward to continuing to develop good working relationships with clients and fellow professionals in the region. Howard Worth is ideally placed to take advantage of the growth in the marketplace throughout Cheshire, and can provide a high quality, specialised alternative to national and regional firms.”

Kirsty McGregor, Chairman of The Corporate Finance Network, said: “As members Howard Worth will become known as the expert in their region in obtaining the most appropriate finance for businesses and for buying and selling companies with a transaction value of less than £3 million. There are few firms out there who can advise small and medium-sized clients in this highly specialised arena and we believe Howard Worth will become a valuable member of The Corporate Finance Network.”

Photo – l-r Stuart Dutton, Corporate Manager, Kirsty McGregor, Chairman Corporate Finance Network, Chris Swallow, Corporate Partner at the launch event

Nantwich & South Cheshire Show

Howard Worths Agri team recently attended the Nantwich and South Cheshire Show, which gave us the opportunity to see our Agricultural Clients and contacts, this year proved to be one of the most successful ever. The weather was just about held out with just one big heavy shower at 1.00pm however the sun came out again later to finish the day. Rose Rowland, Farming and Rural Business Partner was pleased to be asked to judge this years trade stand award.

Howard Worth sponsored a 2 Calf Class Competitions, the photo shows Richard Barnett, Farming Partner presenting the awards to the winners.

Corporate Finance

We are delighted to be able to offer our clients a new service.  Clients who are considering making an acquisition, a company owner looking to sell a business or wishing to invest in a new business or a management team wishing to conduct MBO and MBI’s  as part of exit planning or alternative finance raising we are now are able to access a network consisting of carefully selected accountancy firms and business advisors who provide SMEs and owner managed businesses with probably the most complete & practical business advice that is available anywhere in the UK.

Specialising in raising finance for businesses, buying or selling companies, we can provide in particular a corporate finance expertise on deals with a transaction amount upto £3m.

If you are interested in this service please contact one of our experts today.

northwich@howardworth.co.uk

Howard Worth Budget Breakfast

Our recent budget breakfast held on 29th June at MacDonald Portal Hotel, Tarporley attracted over 100 local business owners and  professional contacts.  Our tax team comprising Mike Donnan, Tax Partner, Julie White, Tax Manager, Ailsa Cowdell, VAT Specialist guided us through the complex changes in the 2010 Emergency Budget.  The event was chaired by Richard Barnett, Managing Partner.

l-r Photo Ailsa Cowdell, Mike Donnan, Julie White, Richard Barnett

Richard Barnett, Managing Partner celebrates 30 years service at Howard Worth.

Richard Barnett, Managing Partner will be celebrating 30 years service to the Practice. Richard joined Howard Worth on the 24th June 1980 as an Accounts Clerk.  His energy and efforts have made Howard Worth one of the leading financial and taxation specialists in agriculture, Richard was Howard Worth’s first specialist farming partner in 1995 and developed the agricultural practice extensively during the last 15 years - making it one of the leading financial and taxation specialists for this sector - servicing clients up and down the breadth of the UK. We will be marking this occasion with a celebratory lunch, which current and previous staff will be attending.  From all of the Partners and staff at Howard Worth we wish Richard many congratulations. 

Rose Rowland, Farming and Rural Business Partner, who runs the Rural Business Womens Networking Group took the ladies to visit a new local Rural Business.  Overwater Marina in Audlem , the marina is on on the Shropshire Union Canal.  It is surrounded by Cheshire farmland, overlooking the River Weaver valley and is a 15 minute walk from the vibrant canal village Audlem.  The networking group enjoyed a guided tour of the marina by owner Janet Maughan. 

Photo – Rose is pictured here, with Group Co-ordinators Lynn Stenhouse and Dawn Beschorner and the other members of the Rural Business Women Group.

Northwich Women in Business took a table at The Credit Crunch Ball held on Saturday 22nd May, in aid of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Organisation with Lord and Lady Ashbrook hosting the evening, main sponsors of the event were Butcher Barlow Solicitors.  The Women in Business members enjoyed the night immensely, with a live auction and music from The Prestons.    

Picture: l-r Trish Peters, Crains Manchester Business, Julie Whalley, Howard Worth Accountants, Catrina Walker-Jones, Howard worth Accountants, Amanda Buckley, BB Design, Liz Bottril, SAS Daniels, Jill Shields, SAS Daniels, Margaret Bailey, Howard Worth Accountants

Maximising the Proceeds when Selling your Business

Howard Worth in partnership Neil Myersons Solicitors and sponsored by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank recently held a Seminar for business owners on how to get their businesses ready for sale, giving expert advice on how to value the business and to maximise the proceeds when selling. Chris Swallow, Howard Worths Corporate Partner hosted the event with Simon Blake, Chairman of the UK200 Group Corporate Finance Panel giving specialist advice on the new Small and Medium Enterprises Valuation Index as keynote speaker. Peter Smith, Acquisitions Director for CYB updated on funding management buyouts from the banks perspective and Akeel Latif, Partner at Neil Myerson Solicitors gave an overview of the legal aspects involved in realising the full value of your business. The event was attended by 30+ local business owners.

In this photo: L – r Chris Swallow, Howard Worth Accountants, Simon Blake, Price Bailey, Akeel Latif, Neil Myerson Solicitors, Peter Smith, CYB

Rural Business Women Training Day

The annual training day was held recently on IT Media Marketing for your business. Rose Rowland, Farming and Rural Business Partner who heads up the Group hosted the day with 30 ladies from a variety of Rural Businesses including B&B’s, Farm Shops, Farms and other diversified businesses. The ladies received training on how to use IT to market their business, sessions on blogging, twitter, facebook, also setting up websites and creating online booking systems, and a case study by a member who has used IT very successfully to market her award winning 5* B&B, which was also featured on the TV programme 3 in a bed.

The next RBW Networking Lunch is to be held on 16th June, for further information contact Dawn Beschorner at Howard Worth.

In this photo: Rose Rowland, Farming and Rural Business Partner

The Howard Worth tax and vat team held the recent pre-budget breakfast at Wychwood park golf club and our office at Gadbrook park. The presentations gave clients a greater understanding of the pre-budget and also gave insight into what might be expected in the 2010 budget. Our events diary will detail budget presentation dates nearer the time.

In this photo: Andrew Hague, Julie White, Ailsa Cowdell and Mike Donnan.

Vet Seminar

Chris Smith Partner and Veterinary specialist hosted a seminar dealing with all the factors that practices need; to help survive the recession. The evening commenced with speaker Mark Moran who presented on pricing and profitability followed by Catherine McCartney from Aarons Solicitors who gave updates on employment law and partnership issues. Due to the success of the event we are planning further market specific seminars for the new year.

Financial services team gives Investments Up-date

In partnership with Savoy Investment Management the seminar gave a greater understanding of how recent changes affected current investments. The event was very well received and two seminars were held to accommodate all attendees.

Catrina Walker-Jones Financial Adviser said of the event “An insightful presentation on the global economic position.”  

Charity Update Seminar

Charities Partner Julie Whalley chaired the event which included presentations from Ken Brew of the Charity Commission who advised on trustees responsibilities and recent changes at the Charity Commission. Adrian Maxwell Charity Investment Advisor at Rathbones as well as Ailsa Cowdell Howard Worth’s VAT specialist also dealt with the issues directly related to our charity and not-for-profit clients. The morning seminar was greatly received and we plan to follow up in the spring with further charity focused events.

Renewable energy – Anaerobic digestion

Presenter Richard Tomlinson gave a great insight into the planning, costing and running of the digesters along with David Harries of Aarons and Partners who informed us all on how to maximise returns on renewable energy.

Conference chairlady Rose Rowland said “I was delighted with the feedback from the seminar. Renewable and sustainable energy sources will be at the top of the environmental and political agenda in the coming years. Our farming clients have an opportunity to lead these developments and hopefully have an additional viable source of income”

VAT 2010 VAT Changes

As a number of important VAT changes will come into effect next year Ailsa Cowdell VAT Manager gave a lunch briefing for over 40 accountants in industry who have responsibility for the VAT affairs of their business.  If you would like to receive further information on future events please email events@howardworth.co.uk

Are clients sitting on your money

Offering clients and customers credit is standard policy and practice in most business sectors. It reduces risk for the customer and can make a service more attractive to prospects and customers.

Click here to read the full article >>

Howard Worth Sponsor 2009 Western Holstein Calf Show

Farming partner Richard Barnett was once again called on to present the Champion Showman award. Richard is pictured here along with Judge Mr Paul Westaway presenting the award to Handler Larissa Jones.

Cash is King

Nantwich Partner Andrew Hague speaks to Bill Kirby, Director of Inpractice UK Limited about working capital management featured in Manchester Law Society’s “Messenger”.

Click here to read article >>

Business Expansion Award

At the ninth Small Business Awards on 21st February 2009, held in Partnership with the Vale Royal Mayors Charities, Howard Worth Chartered Accountants were awarded the Business Expansion Award for our first class business advice and accountancy service with a truly customer focused approach supporting Cheshire, the award was accepted by Kevin Dickens, Senior Partner. Partner Chris Smith also presented the Innovation Award to Rupert Cade of Company Media, which Howard Worth were also nominated for. The delightful event was held at the newly refurbished Hoole Hall Hotel and organised by Paula Bradley of Conference and Events Ltd and Business after Hours.

Fighting Talk

New UK200 Group President Kevin Dickens tells Michelle Perry, why it is time to extend credit and take risks again

Click here to the read the Insider Article >>

Time to convert lock, stock and barn?

Richard Barnett, Chairman of the UK200Group Agricultural committee, looks at whether it’s right to convert your agricultural business to a limited company.

The alternative is to incorporate the trade only and keep the farmhouse and buildings in the name of the sole trader or partnership. This may seem straightforward,but brings its own complexities,primarily for inheritance tax purposes. The subject of the farmhouse is a thorny one and has been at the centre of a number of recent tax cases such as‘Starke’, ‘Antrobus I&II’,‘Rosser’being the main cases. The general concern is where the ownership of the land and the farmhouse and buildings are separated then they cease to qualify for Agricultural Property Relief on death.Careful consideration is required regarding how much, if any of the farmland is transferred to the company to avoid the issues such as whether the size of the farmhouse is of a‘character appropriate’to the land held.

I suggest to clients that any farm machinery and equipment should be transferred into the incorporated company,but the question of whether motor vehicles should be transferred in or left out would need to be addressed.If cars are held in the company and used by the proprietor for personal use,there may be a hefty benefit in kind charge depending on the size of the car.It may be preferable in these cases to own the car personally and reclaim expenses from the
company for any business mileage incurred. I would strongly recommend calculations
comparing each position would be advisable when making the decision.

Additional tax benefits can be obtained if a farmer is in receipt of milk quota entitlements as a deduction can be claimed in the company for the write-off (or amortisation) of the quota. A further point to note is that entitlements such as the Single Farm Payment can also be transferred to a company and a similar tax deduction claimed.

Not withstanding the pitfalls of incorporation, there continues to be tax benefits if the profits are large and are being taxed at the higher 40% tax rate. But each case does need careful consideration on its own merits as well as the proprietor’s plans for the future, and it is a decision not to be taken lightly.

Richard Barnett is Specialist Agricultural Accountant, Partner at Howard Worth and is Chairman of the UK200Group Agricultural committee. richardbarnett@howardworth.co.uk 01606 369000

*This article was published in Clydesdale Bank’s Agrifocus magazine, Issue 13

Solicitors Improvement Workshop –
We recently held in conjunction with Barclays Bank, a Solicitors Improvement Workshop where we briefed 20 local Solicitors on how to improve profitability within their practices. Andrew Hague, Partner presented this.

Credit Crunch Seminar
Howard Worth and RBS Bank recently held a Credit Crunch Seminar for their clients, with over 50 people attending. Delegates were given tips on how to manage their bank in the credit crunch and managing high interest rate risks, also how to manage costs effectively and looking at your tax costs and cash flow.

Photo l-r Ian Whissell, Nigel Barkway, Stephen Gittins (RBS), Chris Smith (Howard Worth)

Employment Law Seminar

Howard Worth in conjunction with Neil Myerson Solicitors held an Employment Law Seminar recently, we updated our clients and contacts on how to attract and retain good quality staff, covering  Interviewing techniques and the law surrounding, contracts, how to avoid and solve employment law issues. We also briefed attendees on the issue of Contractor verses Employee.

Howard Worth are very pleased to have presented the Award for Rural Business Women of the Year at the recent Cheshire Rural Business Women’s Network Awards.

Lorna Tyson won the award for her outstanding contribution to the Rural Business Women’s network which is run by Rose Rowland, Farming & Rural Business Partner at Howard Worth Accountants since its conception in 2003.  Lorna assisted with sourcing the funding to set up the group which now has over 300 members.  These members have access to advice and knowledge to help their businesses grow and expand.  Lorna also has one of the highest standard bed and breakfasts in the area and is able to offer marketing and business guidance to our members from her own experience.  Visit www.merebrookhouse.co.uk for further information

George Osborne’s speaks at our new Northwich Office.

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Conservative MP for Tatton, George Osborne delivered a talk on ‘Conservatives and Business’ at our new headquarters in Northwich recently.

Mr Osborne addressed some of our key clients and contacts when attended Drake House at Gadbrook Park, Northwich, our new state-of-the-art head office which was officially opened last month by the Duke of Westminster.

“We are delighted Mr Osborne agreed to pay us a visit and to give our clients his take of the economic outlook as well as his party’s view on what they can offer the business community,” said Howard Worth partner Chris Swallow.

“We intend to have regular presentations and talks on various aspects of business at Drake House in the coming months.”

We are really pleased to announce the move date for our Northwich office to Drake House, Gadbrook Park for the weekend of the 16th May. Therefore from Monday 19th May you can contact us at Drake House, Gadbrook Park, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7RA, Tel: 01606 369000 Fax: 01606 369010 northwich@howardworth.co.uk

The property is a 11,700 sq ft Grade A office building at Gadbrook Park, Northwich. Richard Barnett, Partner said “ All the partners at Howard Worth are delighted with our new location and are looking forward to a successful future there.

We are excited to be able to work in fresh new open plan offices which also have meeting rooms and a seminar suite.