Carpenter Box appoints two senior managers to growing audit team

Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box continues to grow from strength to strength, with two new Senior Managers appointed to the firm’s expanding audit team, which now comprises 65 specialists.

Annemarie Fern joins the Worthing office, while Emily Girling will oversee audits run by the Carpenter Box Portsmouth team.

Annemarie brings more than 18 years’ professional experience to her new role, having qualified as ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) before gaining ICAEW Chartered Accountant status in 2012.

She has specialist audit knowledge covering UK and international groups of companies and occupational pension schemes, and is an acknowledged expert in innovative auditing techniques that enhance both accuracy and efficiency for clients. She will manage a portfolio of clients and act as mentor to a team of 12, as well as advising on technical auditing and financial reporting requirements.    

Emily Girling joins the firm’s fast-growing Portsmouth office, which has doubled its headcount to 20 people in the last year.  She is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant with specialist knowledge of the not-for-profit and education sectors, and will oversee client audits as well as developing her own portfolio of clients in the Hampshire area.

“We are delighted to welcome two experienced audit managers to our growing team,” said Tony Summers, Carpenter Box Partner and Head of Assurance & Advisory. “Annemarie and Emily bring technical knowledge, specialist sector expertise and customer service experience that will add value to current clients while contributing to the wider expansion plans of the firm.” 

(Image shows l-r: Emily Girling and Annemarie Fern)

www.carpenterbox.com

George Square Financial Management Update - This month's three big investment themes

Pain from London

It is possible our new chancellor Rachel Reeves had hoped to stimulate some Churchillian spirit with her bleak description of the problems faced by the UK economy and public finances. In reality, she seems to have just perpetuated gloom. Since the election, consumer confidence has fallen, business investment has slowed, and many have felt they are waiting with something of a sense of foreboding for the budget on 30th October.

It remains to be seen what tax changes this will bring, although the mood music suggests some of the more dramatic moves planned around pensions have been withdrawn after much scrutiny. The big picture, of course, is that Reeves is seeking ways to both close a short-term funding problem and work out how to get long-term investment up to stimulate growth. She must do this within a double-tied straitjacket of firstly her own promises (not to raise the main rates of tax) and secondly the very real threat that too much more borrowing could lead to a re-occurrence of the market turbulence which accompanied Liz Truss’s mini-budget. Investors’ patience with the UK is after all somewhat thin after the events of only two years ago.

However, we should note that whilst it is easy to paint a dramatic narrative about these things, most economic policymaking is about incremental moves which over time add up to real change rather than dramatic events. We believe it is likely she will shift the accounting around enough to find a way to invest more but being mindful of the market reaction will provide enough reassurance to avoid a serious rise in UK borrowing costs. This at least means that whilst the budget could feel like a bleak day, it could be the start of a new, albeit muted, cycle of investment for the UK. And we should remember that the indications are that the global economy continues its recovery so Reeves may yet get some help from the wider world. Improvements will take much time to come through but ultimately, we believe the gloom will lift.

Promises of hope from Beijing

Whilst the UK grapples with the question of whether it can invest at all, in Beijing a different process is underway. Here, after years of tepid growth, President Xi has promised to start a major cycle of government investment in a bid to revive Chinese economic growth back up to its 5% target. This promise elicited a sharp rally in Asian shares over the past month. We believe that an eventual recovery in Asia could be a significant long-term source of returns for portfolios in the years ahead and have made a modest move, particularly in higher-risk portfolios, back into Asian companies. However, as with all changes like these, we move gradually, knowing that there can be false as well as real dawns. Nonetheless, there can be little doubt that Asian shares are cheap compared to historical prices and the rest of the world. A revival here has the potential to be significant in the years ahead for the returns we can deliver.

Thin gruel for the UK

The other major news story, of course, is the upcoming US presidential election which is just less than one month away. The polls are about as close to an exact tie as it is possible to imagine. On the face of it, if this were a game of poker you would probably rather have Kamala Harris’s hand. She has a very small lead in just enough swing states to win. But all of these leads are within the margin of error for polling and her advantage could well be illusory. For investors, the key consideration is really around US debt. The spending plans proposed by Donald Trump and the tax cuts he is adding indicate a significant expansion of US borrowing in the next four years. This could have the effect of raising global borrowing costs and forcing interest rates down faster than expected, but also could lead to a correlated rise in inflation. The United States, though, really is different to every other economy in the world. As the world’s reserve currency and the lender of last resort, US administrations have far more leeway to borrow and invest than the painfully narrow wriggle-room enjoyed by our own leaders in the UK. We believe the US economic recovery can continue under both potential presidents. 

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Pilbeam Construction urges government to address chronic skills gap

Labour facing shortfall of workers to build 1.5m homes

Contractor Pilbeam Construction is urging the government to take immediate action to tackle the escalating skills gap and prioritise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector.

Without intervention, this shortage threatens to derail Labour’s ambitious housing targets and disrupt building projects nationwide, warned the Sussex firm.

It also wants more incentives for young people to enter the profession and for older workers to retrain.

Alan Corbett, managing director of Pilbeam Construction said: “There’s been a lot of talk about getting Britain building again and the need for more housing, but we need trained people to see these projects through.

“The lack of training and apprenticeship programmes among smaller construction firms, combined with the loss of skilled European labour following Brexit, has left the sector in a tricky position.

“We urge the new administration to address this issue in the upcoming autumn Budget.”

The Construction Industry Training Board warned earlier this year there was a shortfall of 152,000 workers needed to achieve Labour’s ambitions of building 1.5m homes in the next five years.

Pilbeam pointed out ‘tier one’ contractors often have their own registered training schemes and although there is a shortage of labour, these larger businesses have the power and leverage to recruit from what is a small and therefore expensive pool.

Alan added: “Once you get down to medium and small-sized contractors it has become more challenging to recruit at the bottom of the pyramid. The industry is struggling to find skilled people to do the work – and all our subcontractors are telling the same story.

“We need a major push from the government if we’re to meet housing targets. Construction can play a vital role in the UK’s economic recovery, but a skilled workforce is a must.

“The government should implement policies that incentivise new talent to join the sector, including expanding schemes like T Levels and apprenticeships.”

Pilbeam is not alone in this concern. According to Screwfix’s 2024 Voice of the Trade Report, the shortage of young people entering trades is a major concern amongst tradespeople.

Over 80% reported a lack of apprentices, with one in three small firms saying financial support for apprentice wages would help them hire more. Pilbeam Construction suggested apprenticeships would be more attractive if the government took inspiration from the package of support students receive, by providing a living allowance, free or subsidised travel or help to buy tools or equipment for apprentices.

Alan, who is just starting as an Enterprise Adviser with East Sussex County Council, where he actively engages with schools to promote construction as a career, said: “We have to improve access to apprenticeships and training schemes while raising awareness.

“At Pilbeam, we’ve taken on a management trainee and a young carpenter, but these initiatives need stronger promotion at both industry and government levels. We would like to see the government support our trade bodies and institutes by promoting the construction industry as a professional, safe and worthwhile alternative for both women and men.

“It’s vital to catch young people early. Not every career has to be behind a computer – there’s strong demand for tradespeople and these roles offer excellent pay and job security if you’ve got the right skills.”

For further information please visit: https://www.pilbeamconstruction.co.uk/

University of Brighton appoint new Vice Chancellor!

Professor Donna Whitehead has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton. Professor Whitehead will join on 1 February 2025 from the University of South Wales where she is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Whitehead’s appointment is the culmination of an extensive search that involved widespread stakeholder engagement across the University and attracted a high-quality field of candidates. The Appointment Panel and the university’s Board of Governors unanimously agreed that she was the outstanding candidate to lead the university through the next stage of its development.

Professor Whitehead is an authentic leader with a clear vision for the University of Brighton, a strong affinity with its values and mission, and a firm belief in the power of education to unlock potential and shape futures. She has an impressive track record of delivering significant improvements to teaching quality, student experience and graduate outcomes, and has worked closely with external partners to increase civic and business engagement, and to strengthen and develop new partnerships focused on research and enterprise innovation.

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Whitehead said:

“I am delighted to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton. I look forward to working with staff, students and external partners to build on the university’s significant successes to date and to deliver the next stage of the university’s evolution.”

West Sussex Legal Firm Celebrates Legal 500 Ranking

Bennett Griffin Recognised for Personal Injury Expertise and Continued Success in Commercial Property

West Sussex-based law firm Bennett Griffin is proud to announce its recent success in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500, with its Personal Injury Team newly ranked for their excellence in claimant work, alongside continued recognition for the firm’s Commercial Property Team.

This prestigious ranking underscores Bennett Griffin’s ongoing dedication to delivering high-quality legal services across the South East, solidifying its reputation as a trusted name in the legal sector.

Personal Injury Team Earns New Recognition

Bennett Griffin’s Personal Injury Team has been recognised by The Legal 500 for its specialisation in complex personal injury cases, particularly those involving orthopaedic and brain injuries, psychological injuries, and road traffic accidents.

This ranking reflects the team's commitment to achieving successful outcomes for their clients, handling sensitive and intricate cases with care and professionalism.

Partner Tim Ransley, head of the Personal Injury Department, is noted for his particular expertise in cycling injury claims. Tim is also individually ranked in Chambers and Partners, further highlighting his prominence in the legal field.

Joining Tim is Partner Amy Offen, head of Dispute Resolution, who brings her considerable experience in multi-track claims, contributing to the team’s growing success, as well as department Senior Paralegal Lindsey Ransley.

Client testimonials included in The Legal 500 highlight the team’s dedication to service, with clients praising the team for their professionalism, empathy, and communication skills.

One testimonial noted, “From the very first meeting to my last, I knew I was in good hands. The whole team were very professional throughout the entire process, and I wholeheartedly have no hesitation in recommending Bennett Griffin.”

Continued Success for Commercial Property Team

In addition to the recognition of its Personal Injury practice, Bennett Griffin’s Commercial Property Team, led by Senior Associates Chrissie Edwards (Head of Commercial Property) and Joshua Coleman, has maintained its position in The Legal 500 for the third consecutive year.

The team’s expertise in managing complex property transactions has helped businesses across the South East navigate the legal intricacies of commercial real estate with confidence.

This continued recognition reaffirms the firm’s position as a leader in both personal injury and commercial property law.

A Mark of Excellence

The Legal 500 is a highly regarded legal directory that ranks law firms based on client feedback, peer reviews, and notable casework. Inclusion in this ranking is a testament to Bennett Griffin’s high standards and commitment to client satisfaction.

Tim Ransley commented: “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. It is an honour to be included in The Legal 500, and we are committed to continuing to provide the best possible service to our clients.”

How The Legal 500 Ranks Law Firms

The Legal 500 is one of the most respected legal directories, ranking law firms based on independent research that includes:

• Client Feedback: Direct interviews with clients to gauge service quality and satisfaction.
• Peer Reviews: Input from other legal professionals to assess a firm’s reputation within the industry.
• Notable Cases: Evaluation of the complexity and impact of the cases a firm has handled.

 Find out more about Bennett Griffin by visiting https://www.bennettgriffin.co.uk/

Finalists for the 2024 Adur & Worthing Business Awards annouced!

Sleepout - Wake up to homelessness with Turning Tides

Take part in an evening powerful enough to change the course of someone’s life; wake up to homelessness.

Trade your comfy bed for a sleeping bag on October 26th, 2024, and stand with those facing homelessness in your community. You have the power to bring change.

There was a wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst everyone and most managed at least a few hours’ sleep. I would recommend anyone to try it at least once! Sam - Previous participant

For Sleepout 2024 we’re returning to Worthing Fire Station, where there will be an opportunity to tour the fire station’s engines and try on some safety equipment as well as taking photos. The event is suitable for all ages, with a secure site and activities for everyone.

Let your imagination run riot! The shelter building competition is open to all, with fabulous prizes on offer for the most creative and most practical. Later in the evening you will hear from those who have experienced homelessness, and the frontline keyworkers who support them. Refreshments including a light evening meal, are included in the ticket price. You can listen to the Ropetackle storytellers tell bedtime tales and enjoy a warming drink before settling for the night.

Increasingly local people are facing life without a safe place to call home and for every person you see rough sleeping there will be another 20 hidden away – sleeping in their car, sofa-surfing, or in tents and shelters in fields, woods and parks.

Turning Tides was my lifeline. They didn’t just give me a roof over my head; they helped me to rebuild myself, my dignity, and my life.” - Franc

Fundraising events like this one are incredibly important, not just for raising awareness and breaking the stigma of rough sleeping but for raising the vital funds that are needed to support local people. Participants are asked to raise sponsorship which will directly support local people experiencing homelessness. Your fundraising will mean that we can continue to be there for the thousands of people who need us every year.

We want to be there for people who find themselves homeless; if like us you believe everyone deserves a home put the date for this fantastic fundraising event in your diary today.

Why not invite your friends, colleagues, and family along too or share online. 

Can’t make this date? You can organise your own DIY Sleepout.

Holding a DIY Sleepout offers the opportunity to gain insight into the issues surrounding local homelessness. The inspiring event – which encourages people to sleepout for just one night – will help develop a sense of empathy and compassion across all age groups. As well as raise funds to support the work of Turning Tides, providing services to homeless people in your local community.

Organising your own means you can do it anywhere you like, at a time that suits you. Perfect for groups such as colleagues, Scouts and Guides and more, check out our website for our DIY Sleepout resources and start planning today – www.turning-tides.org.uk/DIYsleepout

Chichester College Group Skills Advisory Panel

Join us for a delightful gathering of employers and stimulating conversations for a unique opportunity to shape the future of training in your industry.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday 16 October
• Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Venue: Worthing College, ICC Room, 152 first floor.

Event Highlights:

1. Sector-Specific Insights: Engage in focused discussions tailored to your industry during our Professional Services session. Share your insights on current challenges, trends, and future opportunities that can shape the training landscape for your business.
2. Input into Training Needs: Your expertise matters. Provide valuable input on the specific training needs of your sector. Help us understand the skills and knowledge your workforce requires now and in the future.
3. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow employers, industry leaders, and training experts in a relaxed and conducive environment. Build relationships, share experiences, and discover potential collaborations that can elevate your business.

Why Attend:

• Shape the Future: Contribute to the design of training programmes that directly address the needs of your business and industry.
• Networking: Connect with peers, industry experts, and training professionals to expand your network and explore potential collaborations.
• Insider Insights: Gain valuable insights into current trends and future developments in Professional Services.

Reserve your spot at the Skills Advisory Panel. Be part of the conversation, drive change, and unlock the potential of collaborative learning

The Sid Youth are offering corporate sponsorship on their website!

The Sid Youth delivers support to young people in Adur, Worthing and the surrounding areas through workshops and mentoring. "We work in a proactive way in order to make sure we are offering services that can not only benefit the young people we work with but also support the community and the families they live with"

​Their new website in due to launch soon and they are looking for 12 companies to sponsor a month each. During that month they would feature on the home page and on the sponsors page for the rest of the year.

Companies would be asked to make a donation which would be used to support the youth engagement fund. Here are some examples of ways those funds have been used recently
# Providing school shoes to you a young person who was starting high school and did not have any.
# Providing gym memberships to young people to help them with their physical and mental health
# Providing food for young people
# Taking part in activities in the community

"Any support would be greatly appreciated and we would be happy to share exactly what the funds are used for."
please email info@thesidyouth.co.uk

For more information about what The Sid Youth Group do, please check out their website https://www.thesidyouth.co.uk

Carpenter Box recruits 26 New Trainees onto its ‘Platinum’ training programme

A career in accountancy continues to be a popular choice for many school and college leavers, university graduates and career changers, with Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box announcing the recruitment of 26 new trainees – a record intake for the firm.  

Eleven of the new trainees have joined Carpenter Box’s Worthing office, five have taken up positions in Crawley, four in Brighton, five in Chichester and one in Portsmouth. They are spread across the firm’s Business Services Group, Assurance & Advisory Group, Tax Services Group and Starbox team, which provides expert finance and tax advice to new media companies and digital platform content creators.

Carpenter Box Managing Partner, Alan Edwards, commented: “It’s great that the firm is in the position to offer so many talented individuals the opportunity to build their career here and to be part of our ambitious growth plans for the future. 

“I hope they take inspiration from the fact that many of our current partners, including myself,  started out as trainees with Carpenter Box, and I very much look forward to seeing them thrive in what is a supportive environment as they progress towards their professional qualifications.”        

The training programme delivered by Carpenter Box has earned both ‘Approved Employer and ‘Platinum’ status. The majority of the new trainees are embarking on a career pathway towards ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) accreditation, whilst others are pursuing ACA (ICAEW Chartered Accountant) and ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) qualifications.

For those interested in a career in accountancy, Carpenter Box is holding a Careers Open Evening on Tuesday 19^th November between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at their main offices in Crescent Road, Worthing. Click on the following link for further details: https://www.carpenterbox.com/event/open-evening/

(Image shows six of the new trainees, back row l-r: Alex Webber, Jake Solomon, James Newman & Sophie Middleton. Front row l-r is Josh Plumb & Jiaolin Chen).

www.carpenterbox.com