ONE | Issue 62 | hwca.com

Returning to the workplace opens up many questions for all of us about our work, our workforce and our workplace. Many of us were forced to question long-held assumptions about how our work should be conducted and how important our physical offices are in that context. Over time, we will no doubt find more considerate and balanced solutions, especially in light of the evident ‘war for talent’. However, it is also safe to say that while some forms of virtual collaboration work well, many do not. And so we are very pleased to welcome more and more colleagues and clients back to our offices.

"Resilience is a state of mind,
based on courage and compassion."

The topics around turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities are very much the overarching theme of this latest edition of the One Magazine.

We caught up with a client who was featured in a previous edition, to find out how his architecture business weathered the pandemic and what lies ahead. As many of our clients are becoming more tech-savvy, we also included some helpful tips with regards to cloud-based accountancy solutions for you. In addition, we feature a success story in the building sector, an app-based learning solution and talk with a start-up business borne out of a personal passion and the confines of furlough.

The highlight of this edition is our continued partnership with ‘Reach: Next Generation’ and an in-depth interview with its founder, Sky TV presenter Sarah Stirk. Supporting, nurturing and inspiring the next generation of business advisors, entrepreneurs and business owners is very close to our heart, no matter what educational and vocational route they take. Experiencing the energy, curiosity, passion and drive of the young delegates was very heartening and encouraging. Following on from two successful events in London and Manchester we discuss professional and personal goals with Sarah and explore diverse topics such as female leadership and mentoring, nurturing the next generation, the Ryder Cup, mental wellbeing, the changing workplace, authenticity and parenthood.

The rest of the magazine is the usual mix of city highlights, regional news, success stories and some tips for how to unwind with our recommendations for reading, listening and TV. And while you browse, please remember that we are always here for you - on the phone and of course in person to act as a sounding board and offer practical advice and support.

Michael Davidson
Group managing partner

"To make the most
of tomorrow’s opportunities we need diversity of thought, innovation and more authenticity."

ONE year on...

with Omega Architects

ONE | OPINION

Reflecting on the past and imagining the future with Omega Architects

When we chatted with Tom James, Managing Director of Omega Architects back in 2019, there was no inkling about what was about to happen around the globe within the coming months. We caught up with Tom again to find out what running a business has been really like during a pandemic, covering everything from the challenges of working remotely in a creative industry, to the importance of a routine and what the future of cities could look like for the UK.

The world is certainly different since the last time we spoke, how’s business in 2021?

We’re doing well thank you. Like everyone else, it has been a bumpy road, but we have got through it and have just moved into new offices last month which is a positive milestone for us. Client-wise we are as busy as ever and luckily, we haven’t really slowed down while we worked from home, we just had to find new ways of doing things, which is a fantastic position to be in. I know other sectors haven’t been as fortunate. We have a very strong client base with around 90 percent of our business being repeat, as clients enjoy working with the team and often come back when they have another project they are starting, but alongside that, we have picked up some new clients over the last two years from recommendations on the back of other projects.

The Omega team is a close-knit group, how have you kept up your company culture while you have been working remotely?

We have taken a bit of a different approach compared to other businesses when it comes to remote working, often it’s just not possible for us. As we talked through last time, architecture is very much about people having conversations around plans to really thrash out issues and finer details which is difficult to achieve over a video call. Very early on during lockdown, when everyone was at home, that was where we saw productivity fall as people tried to move projects forward over email and phone calls. A lot of people can work from home as long as they have a laptop and phone, we can’t, we need our big A1 drawing desks, pens, computers and our team around us to make it work.

Even though we kept everyone employed throughout, lockdown was when we really struggled as a business. As a result, in June 2020, when restrictions started to lift, we introduced a rota system so we could get back together as a team again safely and safeguard the business. We are hoping to see everyone back in the office again full time soon as cases begin to drop but we have to be mindful about doing that at the right time too. It’s about being sensible and understanding people’s concerns while there is still uncertainty.

The team will be coming back to a new office – what can clients expect when they visit you now?

The new office is a big open plan environment where everyone can work together as a team which is just what we need. It’s a really striking space which is much more in keeping with who we are as a company – I still find it impressive when I walk in. Hopefully, we can start to have meetings with clients in the office again before long, that’s what really brings it to life.
The new office is pretty much at capacity now, and while that is great to see it does raise a challenge if we wanted to grow our headcount in the future. That’s possibly where a hybrid remote working option could work for us, it would allow us to employ more talent but keep the team together as much as possible.

"The new office is a big open plan environment where everyone can work together as a team which is just what we need"

As well as our client work, routine and space to think is important – how did you adjust to a new way of working?

I actually came into the office by myself for the majority of lockdown, so my routine didn’t really change that much, to be honest! I tried to set up the ‘man cave’ in the garden and work from there but it was difficult with all the distractions around the house, especially with the whole family there too. In the end, I had a light bulb moment and thought with no one else there it is safe for me to go in and get some headspace to think about the strategy for the business as well our client work. I needed that routine of getting out of the house, driving or cycling to work, and being able to focus – it meant I could really enjoy my time with my family because there was a more distinct line between work and home.

"I tried to set up the ‘man cave’ in the garden and work from there but it was difficult with all the distractions around the house"

Do you think we will see a shift in what cities and architecture look like on the back of working from home?

I’m not sure that companies who adopted blanket furlough or indefinite working from home processes have thought about the long-term effects that it will have on city centres. We’re already starting to see a change in the kinds of projects that are being briefed as a result of new ways of living and working. One of the incentives to boost the economy during lockdown was the relaxation in the laws of permitted development. This is where you can convert shops into houses and flats, acting to stimulate town centres which are all in a bad way at the moment.

That is one of the things that really hit me during lockdown – walking around the empty streets in London and other major cities and seeing shops, offices, and restaurants boarded up. The combination of people not coming into city centres to work and the convenience of online shopping and Deliveroo means that we are going to see a lot more developments in town centres of flats, student housing, and leisure experiences, rather than traditional retail and eateries. City centres are going to look very different when my children are older and heading off to university.

How are the kids, have they coped well with home-schooling and all the change that has been happening?

We’ve had our ups and downs like everyone, but they are doing really well thank you. One of the other unspoken issues that I think will come out of the pandemic is the impact that it has had on our children and families in general – if everyone is stuck in a house together for months on end it is never going to be straightforward, but it is about finding ways to adapt and cope. My boys are 8 and 11 now so just as they were starting to get a little more introverted and I was starting to worry, the schools thankfully opened, and they were able to get back to football and sports clubs after school and spend time with their friends again.

Now things are looking steadier, and you can plan, what’s next for Omega?

My main aim is to make sure that our team is happy, and we are delivering fantastic work for our clients. It is difficult to focus on client work and run the business at the same time, and long term that’s where I think we will look to grow the team. Bringing someone in at a senior level to deliver some of the higher-level projects and free up some of mine and my business partner James’ time to work on the business, rather than getting bogged down in the detail. Working with Dan, our managing partner at Haines Watts is a big help in that department, being able to bounce ideas off someone at a peer level and get the context of what the wider industry is looking like is a real asset.

"Bouncing ideas off Dan, our managing partner at Haines Watts is a big help"

How has that relationship changed since we last spoke?

The Haines Watts team has done a lot for us since they came on board as our accountants. Yes, they look after things like payroll and tax, but above all, I have a rare business and friendship relationship with Dan which means we can have offline chats about things and he is happy to give me advice from his own perspective as a business owner. It’s sometimes comforting to hear that there are other people in the same boat as you or who are experiencing similar issues. I’m seeing Dan for a golf day soon which I’m really looking forward to, it will be the first time I will have been able to go out and play since before this all started.

Haines Watts have also helped a lot with our R&D relief over the last year which has been great. We didn’t realise it was an option until Haines Watts advised us about it, and actually we do a lot of research and development – we just didn’t know that what we have always done naturally as a business, classes as that. They have also helped us to acquire some electric cars for the company, which has tax breaks and aligns with our vision to be a sustainable business.

Until we spoke to the Haines Watts team we did not realise that we qualify for R&D relief.

Find out more about Omega Architects and how they bring to life beautiful places for people to live and work at:

https://www.omega-architects.co.uk

Cloud 9: how cloud accountancy can level up your business

ONE | SUCCESS

How cloud accountancy can help businesses

The pandemic helped to accelerate digital transformation, and that has included companies’ accounting systems. Haines Watts’ cloud accountancy expert Riaz Kala explains how cloud accounting can help businesses to ‘level up’ their processes and get better value from their accountants at the same time.

The days of hand-written ledgers and shoeboxes stuffed full of receipts are long gone for most companies – but you’d be surprised how many still prefer to deal with their accounts in an analogue way. Perhaps because it is closer to the way they were trained, or perhaps it feels more tangible to them.
But the digital age is upon us. Haines Watts has been advocating the switch to digital-first accountancy for many years, and one of the impacts of the pandemic has been to accelerate that digital transformation. Companies from every sector have been clamouring to find ways to reach and sell to new audiences, and technology has been at the forefront of that.
The same goes for accounting. With a reduction in face-to-face contact, it becomes harder to hand over paperwork and files in person, so more businesses have embraced digital solutions to help streamline and speed up the process.
It’s music to our ears: we still cherish our direct client contact but switching to digital platforms means we can do so much more with the time we do have available for clients.

Migrating to the cloud

My role at Haines Watts is overseeing our cloud strategy and integrating our use of tech at every level of the business. Even prior to the pandemic, we had worked with most of our businesses to migrate them to platforms such as Xero, which meant we were well placed to deal with the challenges of remote working that the lockdowns presented.
However, we constantly review our use of tech and the way our clients use the cloud, and we are in the process now of migrating our remaining non-cloud clients onto the cloud from Excel or paper-based systems.
Even once we’ve got clients onto the cloud, that reviewing process never stops: part of our change management strategy is monitoring developments and making sure that knowledge is passed on around the business. We have training plans in place to make sure that we are always on top of the latest updates, such as Xero HQ and the new generation of features that brings.

"We constantly review our use of tech and the way our clients use the cloud"

Levelling
up your accounting

At the heart of everything, though, lies our strategy for improving the flow of information to Haines Watts: when we talk about our use of the cloud, we are typically looking at three key things: Firstly, bank feeds, i.e. are they using a platform such as Xero/Sage? Then comes invoice automation, and finally monthly reconciliation: how often we do speak to clients, and how often are they reconciling their information and learning from it.

Based on those stages, we have three ‘levels’ that we apply to businesses to describe their progress along the digital transformation route.

Level 1

Migration onto a cloud platform such as Xero, Sage or Quickbooks.

Level 2

Using AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation, to automate processes with bank feeds and rules, invoice collection, and processing payment facilitation. As processing time decreases, more regular maintenance of bookkeeping software is essential for accurate and real-time information.

Level 3

Integrating apps to improve processes, cashflow, and management forecasting, also industry-specific apps to help improve business operations.
A company operating at Level 3 will have fantastic integration, smooth processes and will be in a position to benefit from the insights that the available data can provide.
In addition, we are now offering clients digital health checks, finance function reviews, and doing app research that can include more bespoke apps that could be implemented outside of our standard app stack, such as electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) and stock systems.

Benefits: beyond time-saving

Without complications, a ‘standard’ migration onto a digital platform can take around a day, plus the time taken to tidy up the information, but that can vary greatly from client to client depending on the complexity of their business. Once the set-up is completed, the time invested is quickly recovered.
The time-saving alone is a compelling reason to embrace cloud accountancy, but the benefits go way beyond getting rid of the physical paper trail and saving time.
That extensive stack of digital apps can offer huge strategic and analytical benefits if they are integrated in the right way.
One of Haines Watts’ core values is that we offer a true insight to our clients, working with them to do far more than simply crunch the numbers. Moving to digital buys us the time to nurture that relationship and to offer far more added value to clients.
We work with our clients as trusted advisors, peers, sounding boards, and even friends, and the intel we now have access to on a ‘level 3’ tier allows us to offer incredible insights to those clients.

Choosing apps? Stay focused!

Xero alone has an ecosystem that supports over 1,000 apps, so it can be pretty overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. We recommend being focused and very selective, so we work closely with our clients to make sure they are only integrating the apps that really complement their business. We are creating an app stack – outlined below – that forms the core of our cloud accountancy toolkit and we tend to recommend using these as a starting point. They cover what we feel are the key areas of a finance function with each app having a primary use but also other uses. We decided to limit ourselves to one app per finance function area, choosing apps that can be used in different areas to avoid ‘app overwhelm’ with clients. However, when scoping our clients’ app requirements it is important to understand how other apps, with similar purposes, assist with their chosen processes as they may be a better match than those within our app stack. Again, though, the most important message here is that the apps are being used properly and that the data they give you is being interpreted correctly.

The most important message here is that the apps are being used properly and that the data they give you is being interpreted correctly.

Purpose	Software
Bookkeeping Software	Xero, Quickbooks, Sage Cloud Accounting
Invoice Automation & Approval	Dext Prepare & Approval Max
Credit Control & Expense Management	IWOCAPay, Reducer, Pleo, Soldo, Satago & Fluidly
Payments	Stripe, Gocardless, Paypal, Transferwise, Credec, Modulr & Teleroo
Reporting and Forecasting	Fluidly, Futrli, Fathom & Syft
Funding	Fluidly & Capitalise
Data Governance	Dext Precision & Syft
Advisory	ClarityHQ & Finsit

What level would you say your business is currently at?

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3

Putting wellness into your business strategy

Jennifer Anderson, Sivana Interiors

ONE | STORY

There’s something quietly life-changing about understanding what your true priorities are. Whether it’s caused by a health scare, an epiphany or a global pandemic, there are certain things that remind you of your core values. For Jennifer Anderson, the mass self-realisation of 2020 had a huge impact.
Thanks to the excess of free time that furlough created, Jen had the chance to reconnect with herself and channel her energy into making her passions her livelihood. Now, Jen is owner-manager of Sivana Interiors, a thriving wellness brand selling candles, wax melts, and reed diffusers that have captured the hearts of those who are putting wellness at the top of their priorities.
Sivana has grown rapidly since self-care became a permanent fixture in people’s daily routines after its true value shone during the pandemic and lockdown’s more testing times.
Jennifer shares her experience of finding success within a highly competitive marketplace and how wellness is filtering into the lives of business owners everywhere.

How did your interest in wellness turn into a whole new business?

Setting up Sivana was a whirlwind, but it was based on something I have always loved. Essential oils, candles, bath oils, and natural fragrance has always been a big part of my own self-care ritual. Even when I’m working from home alone, I’ll spray perfume to lift myself up. I was part-way through an online aromatherapy course when Covid hit so I was learning about the science behind essential oils, the percentage balances, and what you can and can’t mix.

Then I remembered I had a candle-making kit that a friend gifted me, so I thought I’d give it a go. I realised the oils that it came with were synthetic so instead I made my own blend of essential oils and was blown away by the smell. From there I experimented with lots of different oils that are now part of my Sivana product range. I’m proud that it’s completely self-developed. I did everything myself from the products and the website to the branding and retailing. I still can’t believe it all snowballed from making some candles for my friends.

How have you built awareness of Sivana so quickly?

A big milestone was having a stand in Fenwick when I won a space in their Christmas market. It was a mad rush getting all the stock ready, with only three weeks to make 300 units, on top of working full-time. It was a difficult time to be in store because of restrictions.

To get a real sense of the high quality you need to smell the fragrances and feel the heavy glassware. There were other candle and home fragrance brands there too but it’s not as competitive as you might think. It’s about believing in your product and brand and understanding that there are enough customers for everyone because you’re all attracting different customers who want their own sensory experience that’s personal to them. Another big win was my collaboration with Carrie Elizabeth. She’s a jewellery designer also stocked in Fenwick, and she invited small businesses to apply for a Christmas collaboration box. Sivana was selected to include some wax melts in star shapes to match her celestial designs. They are beautiful, made from all-natural ingredients including lavender, ylang-ylang, and eucalyptus. It was like a dream come true because I was always a fan of hers; she’s a great role model. Opportunities like that have introduced me to a community of small business owners who are all trying to build something new. We all gravitate towards each other and bond over our shared experiences and ideas for creative collaboration.

But it’s not as competitive as you might think

You’ve run some offers and campaigns for Mental Health Awareness Week – is that something that is close to your heart?

I think awareness events are important for encouraging conversations. I have lived with depression for 13 years now and I am comfortable talking about it but that hasn’t always been the case. When I shared my experience on the Sivana social pages people messaged to thank me for sharing my story. Speaking up makes everyone realise that they are not alone in their mental health struggles.
I want to keep showing that depression and anxiety are not a life sentence. You can follow your passion, start a business, and make it thrive. I find that people engage with Sivana because they personally relate to the values of the business.

What have you learned from being an owner-manager?

It’s ironic because Sivana is all about self-care, but if I’m keeping it real, I am 100% guilty of not doing that enough for myself. When you run a business, the demands on your time are constant and there’s a never-ending list of things to do. They’re never a chore but it means looking after yourself comes further down on the to-do list than it should.
I am conscious of the wellness agenda I push with Sivana and that the mission is to create a lifestyle of happiness through self-care. The answer is to remind yourself to build boundaries. Of course, you want to create an excellent experience for your customers, but it’s about balance.
Having a self-care ritual can help to pull you back to what’s important. For me, it’s about lighting my candles and having an essential oils bath that grounds me and gets me into a good headspace. If I don’t do it then I really notice the difference. My advice is to schedule time for yourself and to give yourself a break when things don’t go to plan.

Where do you see your business in five years?

Having a strong and driven team behind Sivana would be a huge development – I can’t run it on my own forever! I’d love to see the brand grow to be a household name, with stockists across the country. I’m always growing the product range and I'm even looking at opportunities for corporate gifting. I think there’s a big market for bespoke products that show companies are sending a message to their teams about looking after yourself. I’m currently looking for a flexible working space which is the next step in the journey, and one day I want to have my own premises with offices and space to manufacture products.
I am loving the independence of being my own boss. It’s not because I don’t want a boss, it’s about choosing how I spend my time so I can run Sivana in a way that suits my lifestyle.
Even now, it feels incredible to take a step back and look at the business and think how proud I am of what I’ve built.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a new entrepreneur?

Say yes to everything and take every opportunity. It’s a cliché but in business you never fail, you just learn lessons. Any opportunities you don’t take you will regret because everything leads on to something new. Do whatever you have to do to make it work. Owning a business is not for the faint-hearted but it can be done if you’ve got the drive.

What’s the best way to unwind after a long day?

Candles and a bath or book
A walk in the fresh air
Listening to your favourite podcast

Quote # HWFRIENDS20 for

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Partnering for good

DP Building Systems

ONE | STORY

Partnering for good

On the face of things, Birmingham based DP Building Systems is an essential provider of cables, fixtures, fasteners, and framing. From between walls and under floorboards, its products keep businesses running and communicating every day. What few people would expect, is for the business to have such a huge heart.

The specialist distributor was established in 1998 by Peter White and David Lloyd. 23 years on Peter’s son, Rob White, is Commercial Director and is driving the business forward with beloved charities and thriving relationships at its core.

Rob White

Rob, together with Adrian Edwards, Channel Sales Manager, has developed a series of charging and data transfer cables for CRUK and LGBTQ+. Rob explains, “These charities are close to our hearts, not least because the White family has had a long fight with cancer. A portion of the sales goes directly to the charities, and they are personalised with a batch name instead of a number, in tribute to someone who has been impacted by cancer.

Fortunately, my father survived his diagnosis and we have a product dedicated to him. Not only do they have a personal meaning behind them, but they have people at the heart of their designs too. The multiple charging ports mean that the whole family can charge their devices, without any squabbling over plugs. It’s also the first-to-market cable that transfers data from multiple devices. We have always been focused on creating products that are innovative and this charger was designed to focus on connectivity for all.”

Tech developments and innovations have been a longstanding part of their operations, but they hadn’t realised the income potential of their research until Andrew Jones, Partner at Haines Watts joined the team.

Rob said, “Even though we have been operating for years, before working with Haines Watts we were never advised we could claim back for our R&D work. Now Andrew and his team have made sure we are fully informed, and we’ve claimed huge amounts of relief on work that has always been a core part of the business. The big picture view from Haines Watts has saved us time and money.”

The support started three years ago when DP Building Systems moved into its Perry Barr office. Although it was just by chance that it was on the doorstep of Haines Watts’ office, it was a strategic partnership. Andrew explains, “Out of the options they had for advisors, we weren’t the cheapest option, but we were chosen because we were a good fit personality-wise. We were told they hadn't had the same reaction to their vision from the other firms.”

Shared passion for things outside of normal business obligations has made the relations between the two companies thrive into a co-existing team and Andrew is not only their advisor but a partner with them on their journey.

Andrew said, “It is stressful running a business, and I help Rob and all of my clients manage that stress. Of course, I am an accountant, but I am also a partner of our firm so I have an understanding of the same problems they face such as recruitment or IT. Sometimes they need me to bounce their ideas off instead of just doing the technical accountancy side. We are another ear for them so they don't feel on their own and we can relate our own problems with theirs.

“Rob knows he can call my mobile with a question, and I will always help out, without the fear of being charged like at other firms. I always stress to my clients that if you have a question, just ask. It might spark something that I haven't thought of previously. I want to build lasting relationships so that I’m the go-to support for my clients. For non-accountancy questions I rely also on my network of connections – I always know people that can help.”

‘Serial networker’ Andrew has passed on his passion for people to Rob, who has had big wins as a result. He said, “He advised us to join the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce which unlocked a lot of networking opportunities. We were initially skeptical of joining, but we were pleased to see that the monthly investment paid off with what was essentially a domino effect of Andrew encouraging us to join and then us seeing the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime contract that we have secured but is currently under the wraps of NDAs.

“We aspire for our business to grow in a huge way and Andrew and the team understand that. They have the national vision that we also have and they’re on the journey with us. The relationship has gone from strength to strength in just three years, which is a relatively short time in business terms, so we are looking forward to seeing it blossom even more.”

Andrew is also excited for the partnership to continue. He said, “I feel like part of the team at this point. I love working with family businesses because the team dynamic is very close-knit. You see that they value their staff as part of the extended family. As a firm, we do lots of fundraising activities to give back to our local communities so the charitable element of DP Building Systems really aligns with our values and just shows their commitment to helping others.”

Click here to read more about the story behind DP Building Systems’ charity products, and to follow their fundraising goals and journey.

Inspiration station

Whether it's reading, watching, or listening, boost your motivation with these inspiring and powerful breaks of entertainment.

ONE | OPINION

Listen – The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett on Spotify

Steven Bartlett’s steep rise to fame will likely have already caught your attention, particularly after he recently became the youngest ever investor on Dragon’s Den. Bartlett has transformed his life from a broke university dropout to a multi-millionaire owner of the social media agency Social Chain. Having already taken his company public at the age of 27, published a book, and established his own investment firm, he’s now entered the podcast world. The Diary of a CEO interviews inspiring business people and famous faces, probing into the most personal parts of their lives.

Click here to listen to
all episodes of The Diary of a CEO.

Read – How to Fix Meetings by Graham Allcott and Hayley Watts

If the thought “That meeting could have been an email” has crossed your mind at any point in the past year, you need to pick up a copy of How To Fix Meetings. With hybrid working now testing everyone’s ability to keep up motivation and concentration, Graham Allcott and Hayley Watts have shared their expert advice on making meetings more productive. With multiple thought-provoking books under Graham’s belt, he is bursting with ideas for making your professional life easier and get it working better for you.

Graham Allcott and Hayley Watts have shared their expert advice on making meetings more productive.

Watch - The Chair on Netflix

While everyone is raving about The Bold Type and Squid Game, we like The Chair on Netflix. If you’re one of the masses of people waiting to see Killing Eve star Sandra Oh on your screens, The Chair is the perfect Netflix binge. Equally, if you’ve ever found yourself swimming against the tide in your leadership role, the show will make for relatable comfort watching. The Chair follows Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim as she navigates her new appointment as Chair of the English Department at an Ivy-League University. The dry and slightly dark-humoured comedy is the perfect match for Oh’s famed comedic timing. The six short episodes are packed with drama and workplace-politics, all whilst tackling the real struggles of the senior stages of your career – before you know it, you’ll be impatiently waiting for season two.

Reaching out

ONE | STORY

Following the inaugural Reach Next Generation summit in London earlier this summer, proudly sponsored by Haines Watts, we caught up with Reach founder Sarah Stirk to find out what’s coming next …

Sarah, what was the thinking behind launching the original ‘Reach: Collaborate to accelerate’ platform for female leaders?

Working in mainly male-dominated environments: tv, sport, golf meant that I was always keen on female empowerment, leadership and on women having some equality. So Reach was all about creating this community of like-minded females, all about coming together and supporting and empowering each other across different sectors and tackle some of the issues women face in the workplace today. The thinking was very much, how can we all strive to help each other to become better and positively look at some of the challenges and try to change them for the better, collectively? We started with events linked to the Women’s British Open in the summer and then created this really strong community, which has been a real positive.

What does ‘Collaborate to accelerate’ mean to you, personally?

It’s really about working together to allow women to achieve what they want to achieve by supporting each other. It’s not about the cliché of a ‘sisterhood movement’ to climb a career ladder in a male dominated workplace, but more about the safety, empathy and understanding of other women with similar experiences. It also helps with things like confidence, mindset or attitude that can help women to grow within that network. So really it’s about working together to achieve more.

How do men fit into this journey? Do they not have a role to play too in order to achieve more gender parity and equality?

They absolutely do need to be part of this! We did not set out for Reach to be our own little feminist movement to solve these issues in isolation. It’s not about that at all. We are simply looking to enable the women and girls in our networks to be more confident and stronger individually so we can all be better and stronger collectively as a group, men and women. When we worked in the golf sector, we recognised that there is a pay gap and actively involved men in this debate to find out why that is. There are also issues with diversity. And so we all need to work together for the better of the sport, society and future careers.

Grace Jeffries (L) with Sarah Stirk (R)

And now you are expanding this success story to the next generation of 11 to 15 year-old girls. What inspired you to do that?

It’s a natural conclusion that we use this amazing collection of successful women, who all help each other, to inspire the next generation. It’s tough being a young girl right now. There are lots of issues, lots of challenges and if we can use the strength of our network to help them in life and in their career choices then that’s a very positive step.

Can you tell us a little more about your co-host Grace and the Reach: Next Gen podcast series, please?

The summit was not just about hammering home business or career advice at that age, because they are still quite young. It was more about having some chats and talks about a diverse range of subjects to inspire them to be themselves and the girls walked away from these events, both in London and Manchester, more confident and energised. Grace, who’s just turned 12, is my co-host and did all of these podcasts with senior women in our network. She also did a podcast with me and I could not believe how smart she is at this young age. It’s scary. She’s just brilliant and it was great for the other girls to see one of their own completely relating to them. The fresh approach she takes to ask senior female leaders for advice about her own life choices is really empowering and inspiring.

Listen now to the
Reach: Next Gen podcast series

How did you get into your own career? And what advice would you give the next Sarah coming through the ranks?

I was always passionate about sport, so it was an easy career choice. My first passion was tennis and I went to study in Texas on a scholarship. When I could no longer play tennis, due to a serious shoulder injury, I knew that the next best thing was to have a front row seat in the media to cover sporting events as a journalist. Thankfully, I knew that quite early on and my injury was a helpful lesson in resilience. The world I’m now in is very competitive, quite cutthroat and you need to be committed and driven to succeed. That’s one of the lessons, I’d pass on to young boys and girls: try to figure out what you want to achieve and then commit and go after it. And while education is very important, don’t forget to get some actual work experience. If the original plan doesn’t work out, then change tack but keep your eye on your goals. It’s so easy to get distracted in today’s multi-media world that focus is really important. After university, my love and passion of sports media grew and grew as I worked my way up: first BBC in the regions, then BBC in London, Setanta Sports and then Sky. And as golf became a personal sport and passion, I wanted to specialise in that and luckily it happened. So I’m in my dream job really.

We are big golf fans and so are a lot of our clients. What is it that you love about the sport?

Well, I look at golf as a sort of metaphor for life, really. It’s so demanding, both physically and mentally that it challenges each aspect of you. You can have a day where you’re great on the golf course and then literally the next day you can be the worse golfer ever. And it’s that frustration with it and personal challenge that keeps you coming back. And I love that overall challenge: you have to be extremely disciplined and focused; you have to be calm and patient and then there is also the etiquette side of it, that teaches you really good life lessons. And it’s a great sport for all generations.

Speaking of golf: what did you think of the Ryder Cup result? Were you surprised?

I wasn’t surprised. No. I look at it being quite cyclical. And so it was going to happen at some point. We had a lot of success over the years, but our team was becoming quite old, and it is time for a ‘changing of the guard’. The Americans really had to find a way to turn this competition around. They had been poor for quite a long time. Their team now is much younger, more competitive, less divisive and more team oriented. It was almost like college golf. I was working with David Howell at Sky, who said: it’s almost like a frat party. They had this team spirit and camaraderie that they had been lacking and seemed to have learned a lot from our blueprint. The same goes for their captain. I got to know Steve Stricker really well, who’s a lovely guy and you can really tell when players play for their captain. So, the US now have an amazing squad of young talent and its quite scary for us for the next few years.

Sticking to sports and coming back to Reach and encouraging young girls in today’s ‘reality tv’ mentality, what’s your take on Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu taking some time out when things become too overwhelming?

I’m really into sports psychology, mindset and personal development. It’s a great passion of mine and I watch this space with interest. Doing the job that I do, gives me great insights as I speak to athletes on a regular basis. And I’m always looking for those little sound bites and for the bit between the ears that makes the difference at the top of professional sport. I think the pressures in society on young athletes is really tough. Social Media is amazing in some ways but can also be very hard. It raises that fear of missing out and creates constant comparison, doubt and often an imposter syndrome. There are so many pressures growing up now that it becomes hard to just be you sometimes, which can be quite dangerous. Naomi Osaka had achieved so much and became a global star and then it just became too much. And the same happened to Emma Raducanu. I think it was incredible how she managed to turn Wimbledon around to go and win the US Open. I think you should be able to express how you’re feeling and take time. I look at mental struggles like physical injuries. Just because it’s your mind, doesn’t mean it’s not broken and that you don’t need time to heal or rest. And I think as a society we should be kinder, especially to youngsters. Yes, dealing with pressures is part of life and sport but I think we all should be a little more forgiving.

Do you think the media has a role to play in this?

Yes, of course. I think John McEnroe’s comments, questioning Emma’s resilience and mental strength were poor. While I agree that top athletes need both physical and mental agility, we need to recognise that we all struggle sometimes, and these youngsters do that in the public eye with millions watching their every move. And what we sometimes do in the British media is that we get very excited about home grown talent and so quickly build athletes up but then also very quickly knock them down. We need to cut them more slack and not let them suffer at the hands of tabloids.

Ok, now let’s talk a little about you and your big news Sarah. You just announced that you embarked on your own and very personal journey to motherhood. Congratulations! Tell us a little more about that.

Well, I look at my life at this stage and I feel incredibly lucky. I’ve got an amazing family, have a great job and a great circle of friends. But I guess personally I may have suffered a little relationship wise and yes, I struggled with my sexuality over quite a few years. But I’m at a point now where I feel that I’ve also got a voice and feel more comfortable with my own choices and that has led to me being more open about this kind of stuff. And if that helps one person reading my interviews in terms of owning their sexuality or embarking on an IVF pregnancy, then I am incredibly proud of that. Authenticity is my current buzz word: Be yourself! There’s only you. There’s no other ‘yous’ in the world, so own who you are, be comfortable with your own individuality and don’t care what others might think. It has not been easy for me to embark on this journey to starting a family. Previous relationships didn’t quite work out, an IVF journey with my previous partner sadly didn’t work and that was heartbreaking. But I always knew that I wanted to become a mum and so I look at this pregnancy as a gift. Yes, maybe I am a little older, but I see that as a good thing. It’s my journey and it’s the right time for me now. I’ve done a lot, achieved a lot and I can now enjoy having my baby boy in January.

So other than baby Stirk, what’s next Sarah?

Well, I am taking a year maternity leave from Sky, there are great plans in place for more Reach events and the next stage of growth for that platform. We tapped into a great format and I feel we’re doing a lot of good in that space. The mentoring aspect is also very important. So I am still very keen and ambitious about Reach. Overall, I am looking for some balance between starting a little family and doing what I love professionally.

Thank you so much for your time Sarah. Congratulations again! Just one more question … What are you going to buy first for junior: a tennis racket or golf clubs?

Oh definitely golf clubs. And I plan to start him young as it’s a great sport for kids and teaches them some great life lessons. If he’s uncoordinated, I’ll be sending him back.

We asked one of the Reach Next Generation Summit attendees what they thought to the event and they said…

"Thank you for your workshop. It taught me to keep trying until I achieve my goal in life. I really learnt that there is nothing wrong with being confident. This one quote made me want to participate more in class and not be afraid to raise my hand in a room full of people."

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be more confident
Don’t worry what others think
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Regional round up

ONE | OPINION

North West accountancy firm Haines Watts merges with Chester firm Pursglove & Brown

Haines Watts has merged with Chester firm, Pursglove & Brown, as part of the two firms’ ongoing expansion plans in the North West.
The addition of the Pursglove & Brown office in Chester will complement Haines Watts’ existing offices in Liverpool and the Wirral.

Steve Greensill, Director at Pursglove & Brown, said: “Joining Haines Watts allows us to offer a wider range of services specifically aimed at business owners, giving clients access to a new pool of skilled specialists. Our existing team will remain in Chester to ensure that we can continue to offer our fantastic level of service to current clients.”
Vikki Wynne, Director at Haines Watts, said: “Our aim is to become the prominent name across the region for expert accountancy, tax and business advice to North West business owners. We’re delighted to be joining forces with such a strong practice and the merger will bring development opportunities for our combined team, as well as giving clients access to a wider range of specialist services and expertise.”
Steve adds: “The merger provides a strong platform for growing an even more exciting and dynamic business to support North West companies. It combines two firms with similar approaches to client service and shared values.”
The team in Chester will continue to offer the same high-quality level of support and advice in accounting, audit, corporate tax, personal tax, R&D tax credits and business valuation.

Haines Watts to create 25 jobs as part of ambitious expansion plans for the West Midlands

The Haines Watts Worcestershire office has completed its £100,000 relocation – announcing plans to expand and create 25 new jobs in the West Midlands.

The expansion includes plans to increase fees to £15m by 2026 through a combination of organic growth and a series of acquisitions across the region.

There will also be a stronger focus on greater collaboration across its offices in Birmingham, Hereford, Tamworth, Wolverhampton and Worcester and the creation of regional centres of excellence to support clients in the arts, engineering, healthcare, leisure, professional services and technology sectors.

“The last twelve months have been extremely challenging, but ultimately rewarding in the way our team has come together to deliver critical advice to our clients when they needed it most,” said Tim Pearce, Managing Partner at Haines Watts in Worcester.

“Thanks to the success of the vaccine roll-out, we are now seeing renewed optimism in the business community, and we want to ensure that we have the capacity and the knowledge to support owner-managed firms as they look to bounce back and grow.”

Valiant effort for
Team Bath Netball squad

There was disappointment for the Haines Watts-sponsored Team Bath Netball squad after an exceptional season in which they were pipped to the league title by the narrowest of margins.
Requiring a win or a draw in their final game of the season against Loughborough Lightning to win the Vitality Netball Superleague, Team Bath lost 54-35.

The result saw Team Bath finish in third place in the league – level on points with overall winners Loughborough Lightning and second-placed Manchester Thunder but missing out on goal difference.

Team Bath had set the pace for much of the 2021 league season, including two separate winning streaks of eight and nine games respectively.

The third-place finish meant Team Bath also qualified for the end-of-season playoffs. Team Bath defeated Manchester Thunder in the semi-final but lost out to Loughborough Lightning in the final.
Geoffrey Fairclough from Haines Watts said: “We have seen the high standards that Team Bath set for themselves so they will doubtless be disappointed to miss out on the Superleague title – especially by such a narrow margin. However, we are all so proud of their efforts this season, in which for many weeks they set the standard for everyone else to follow.

“We are delighted for the Haines Watts brand to be associated with such a high-performing team. The profile of Netball is growing all the time and we were happy to be able to support the team this year.”

Haines Watts is a Superleague Principal Sponsor of the