Adviser - Spring 2017

Spring is Sprung

Adviser looks behind the scenes at the annual Budget Breakfast, to find out how and why this flagship event takes place.

Budgets and Breakfasts

And it’s not just the countryside that’s experiencing a new period of growth. I n April Scrutton Bland will enter a new stage in its development as the financial services firm becomes a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Following the example of many professional advisers in making the transition from an unincorporated entity to a LLP, the move will allow the Partnership team at Scrutton Bland to make operational decisions with more agility; and enable the management team to appoint new members with greater ease, attracting new talent into the firm and providing greater opportunities for promotion for existing staff. Having undergone a number of positive changes in recent years with the expansion of the Ipswich office into the Crown Street building, the relocation in Colchester to a purpose built office at Severalls Business Park and more recently, the opening of a new office in Cambridge, Scrutton Bland continues to go from strength to strength.

The expansion of the Partner team reflects the exponential growth of the firm, its services and employee numbers as Scrutton Bland continues to build its reputation as one of the region’s leading financial services advisers. The now 15 strong Partnership team will be headed by Jason Fayers, Tax Partner who takes up the mantle of Managing Partner from Tim O’Connor who comes to the end of his tenure after four years. Jason has been a Tax Partner at the firm since 2003 and will assume his new role on 1 April, spearheading the firm as it continues to develop new value propositions for clients and expand geographically throughout the region. The future is looking bright for Scrutton Bland, as we enter a period of inevitable change with the impending HMRC requirement for Making Tax Digital by 2020 and the challenges that the UK’s transition out of the European Union will undoubtedly bring. Scrutton Bland are not only in a robust position to support our clients, but have exciting plans for future growth.

In addition to Partner James Bolton who joined the business at the end of 2016 tasked with developing a specialist Employee Rewards and Benefits service, from 1 April Scrutton Bland will see a further five Partners joining the management team. Luke Morris joins Scrutton Bland from Larking Gowen as a Corporate Partner, bringing with him a wealth of experience in all areas of corporate finance. Gavin Birchall is promoted from within the Scrutton Bland Tax team alongside Graham Doubtfire . Gavin, is a non-practising solicitor with a specialism in transactional and property tax and Graham has a depth of experience in providing tax advice to business owners, individuals and families. Their appointments will strengthen yet further the firm’s commitment to developing its tax advisory services. Dan Bligh joins the Partner team to sit alongside senior Partner Tim Mulley strengthening the Partnerships insurance expertise. Dan has worked at Scrutton Bland for 13 years building up a robust client base and managing an expanding insurance team. Completing the Partnership team is Grant Buchanan who takes up the position of Financial Planning Partner. A Chartered Independent Financial Adviser, Grant represents an increasingly important focus for the firm for providing intelligent and tailored financial advice to individual and business clients.

For over a decade Scrutton Bland have been entertaining guests from across East Anglia at their annual Budget Breakfast event. Each winter the team at Scrutton Bland furiously plan for what has become one of the ‘must attend’ business events of the year. T im Mulley, Senior Partner at Scrutton Bland explains how the annual budget review has become one of the firm’s flagship events; “We have looked at other venues over the years,” “We start planning the event in December, ready for the March budget” explains Simon Pinion, Business Advisory Partner. “Every aspect of the event, from the catering to the suppliers we use has been thought through in terms of reflecting our commitment to businesses operating in the local area and hosting the very best event for our guests.”

Whilst the format of the event continues to be based on a review of the Chancellor’s budget, the team at Scrutton Bland are committed to keeping the event fresh and relevant.” Simon goes on: “Each year we have a theme. Often it is a topic based on current affairs, or something which people are talking about, or it might be something which relates to a specific message we want to convey. We strive to be a trusted adviser to our clients, and recognise that they will look to us to ensure that they are getting the very highest quality and up-to- date advice. The Budget Breakfast allows us to showcase both our expertise and the breadth of service we can provide to our clients.”

explains Tim, “but year on year the popularity of our Budget Breakfast just seems to grow. Finding a venue which can fit everyone in for a breakfast, with a car park large enough and in the right location isn’t easy!” With just under 300 guests gathering each year at the Ipswich hotel (formerly the Cameo) to enjoy a full English breakfast before listening to Scrutton Bland’s in-house team of tax, accounting and IFA specialists, the Budget Breakfast has become a significant event in the firm’s calendar of events.

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