Featuring: SME News - Finance Awards 2023
SME News is thrilled to announce that the UK Finance Awards are returning once again in 2023! We have now hosted this popular programme for five consecutive years, and we are excited to reward the current key players across this ever-changing industry through the 2023 edition! The UK is recognised as a global financial centre, with an enduring influence that has extended over centuries. Over the years, the UK has successfully adapted to the latest challenges and opportunities that have arisen across the international Finance landscape, maintaining its position as a market leader through technological advancements, regulatory reform, and institutional development. As the Finance industry is one of constant change, it is imperative that companies strike a balance between preserving established financial systems and promoting market competitiveness through innovation. This will then ensure that the Finance sector remains stable, while also experiencing economic growth. While the UK’s departure from the European Union caused concern for the future of the Finance market, multiple measures implemented across the country have enabled this industry to continue to thrive even under tighter restrictions and external pressures. The establishment of new trade agreements, as well as investment in technologies such as AI, Blockchain, and Digital Banking are just some of the actions that have led to positive outcomes for the Finance sector. Even with the current cost-of-living crisis and spike in interest rates, UK Finance companies and institutions remain robust, demonstrating impressive resilience despite challenging circumstances. Welcome to UK Finance Awards 2023 Phone: +44 (0) 203 970 0018 Website: www.sme-news.co.uk Sofi Parry Senior Editor
Contents 4. Anchorage Chambers Limited: Personal Insolvency Practitioners of the Year - UK 6. Finance Director Specialists Limited: SME Financial Director Specialist of the Year - UK 8. RS Data Tech Ltd: Credit Agency of the Year 2023 - UK 10. Smart Equity Release: Best Equity Release Specialists - North West England 12. Truestar Talent Ltd: Best Financial Services Recruitment/Headhunting Specialists – UK Pam Sutherland: Most Client-Focused Financial Recruitment Advocate 2023 14. RS Bookkeeping Services Ltd.: Bespoke Bookkeeping Firm of the Year - Southern England 15. First Credit Advice Limited: Most Trusted Debt Solutions Agency - Southeast England 16. Multipay Group: Most Pioneering Global Payment Solutions Provider - UK 17. BW Business Accountants & Advisers: Best Accounting & Business Advisory Firm – South West England 18. Counting King: Best Specialist R&D Tax Credit Consultants - UK 19. Thistle Initiatives: FinTech Compliance Consultancy of the Year - UK 20. 360Globalnet: Digital Claims Platform of the Year - UK 21. Middlebrooks Business Recovery & Advice: Most Trusted Insolvency Practitioners - Edinburgh 22. Oasis Umbrella Limited: Best SSAS & SIPP Advisory Firm - London 23. Mint FS: Most Innovative Mortgage & Lending Broker - UK 24. World of Whisky Group: 2023 Best Emerging Whisky Investment Managers – UK 25. DS Accountancy & Bookkeeping Services: Most Dedicated SME Bookkeeping Business - Leeds 26. Mark Burton Mortgage and Protection Services Ltd: Most Trusted First-Time Buyer Mortgage Specialists - East of England 27. Capital Code: Best Emerging Multi Family Office - UK 28. Oakmount & Partners Ltd: Most Innovative Corporate Investment Consultancy - UK 29. McCrea Financial Services: Most Client-Focused Financial Services Firm - Glasgow 30. Mortgage Theory Ltd: Most Reputable Mortgage Adviser - London 31. Westbury Investment Management Ltd: Best Privately-Rented Property Asset Management Company – London
SME News UK Finance Awards 2023/ 4 Established in 2014, Anchorage Chambers is an insolvency practice firm that provides personal insolvency solutions to financially distressed businesses and individuals. Its practitioners possess over 50 years’ experience in the industry and use their expertise to support customers on their journey to financial recovery. The firm’s internal culture is driven by compassion and understanding with an emphasis on treating individuals with respect. Anchorage provides practical and ethical solutions that help clients regain control of their financial lives. For its exceptional services, Anchorage Chambers has received our award for this year’s Personal Insolvency Practitioners of the Year – UK. It is Anchorage’s mission to guide individuals towards a brighter financial future with personal insolvency solutions such as IVAs and bankruptcies. In late 2013, the firm began its enterprise as a team of three in a small office in Manchester. Anchorage has steadily grown into a team of 90+ and retains headquarters in Salford Quays with offices in Asia and Africa. With their extensive experience in the debt solution industry, the firm's Directors now dedicate their time and expertise to fostering Anchorage's growth and advancing development plans. The firm delivers financial solutions such as IVAs, which are arrangements between clients and creditors to pay back debt over a period of time. The client agrees to make regular payments to an insolvency practitioner who divides the money between creditors. When a business or individual has an IVA, creditors can no longer charge interest or chase the party for payment. An IVA can offer clients more control of their assets than declaring bankruptcy. Core values of accessibility, accountability, excellence, and honesty continue to guide the company’s operations and promote cohesion within the team. The firm values transparency and takes accountability for its actions and decisions in all endeavours. The team prides themselves on being readily available to address the needs and queries of all their clients and partners. As officers of the Court, it is important for the business to remain ethical and honest throughout its practices. Anchorage represents the best interests of its clients, the court, creditors, and all its stakeholders. The firm is committed to delivering excellent solutions and strives to exceed its customers’ expectations. These values enable Anchorage to establish strong client relationships and generate the support required to implement its future strategies. Anchorage caters to financially distressed businesses and individuals who are referred to the firm by other Insolvency Practitioner Firms, Law Firms, Accountants, or consumers that approach the firm directly. The company has a duty of care for its clients as well as a responsibility to repay creditors. Anchorage currently manages approximately £240 million of debt for numerous major creditors including HMRC, Santander, UK Councils, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, and many more. By utilising its strong business connections, the business can ensure its professional solutions and ICAEW regulated services are as effective as possible for its clients and their creditors. The company boasts many five-star reviews with one Trustpilot reviewer sharing, “I have no words to express my gratitude to those who helped me in a difficult situation. Thank you for helping me with my problem. The team were understanding and kind, and from the first conversation, I felt in safe hands. Although English is not my first language, their advice was delivered calmly and easy to understand.” The talented team at Anchorage is crucial to the business's success. Staff possess a deep understanding of the industry and are committed to embodying the ambitions and values of the firm. Their commitment is demonstrated through their exceptional performance and the glowing reviews of clients and stakeholders. The team understands the importance of maintaining compliance in a regulated industry while remaining accessible to clients. When recruiting new employees, Anchorage seeks skilled individuals with the ability to communicate well with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Staff must demonstrate professionalism and ethical behaviour at all times and participate in striving to enhance the company's offerings. Farhad Naqvi, Director of Anchorage Chambers, says, “Managing clients through the cost-ofliving crisis is one of the biggest challenges the industry is facing today. The fall in ‘real’ disposable incomes is affecting the UK. The annual rate of inflation reached 11.1% in October 2022, a 41year high. The personal debt industry has been under increased scrutiny over the last 18 months. Anchorage Chambers recognise and understand the challenges and are keen to play our part in rebuilding confidence in the integrity of our profession. Anchorage Chambers is proud of our professionalism, and we are committed to the values enshrined in the ICAEW Code of Ethics. We recognise and understand the challenges and are keen to play our part in rebuilding confidence in the integrity of our profession.” Anchorage is excited to unveil plans to extend its Salford Quays and Asia premises. The company has submitted a planning application to expand its head office in the UK, which currently has two floors and totals 5,500 sq. ft. The development Personal Insolvency Practitioners of the Year - UK
would allow for four additional floors including two commercial levels and a rooftop garden for staff. In Q4 of 2024, the Asia team will move into their new purpose-built premises. The offshore property consists of over six floors, totalling 24,000 sq. ft. Anchorage Chambers has also invested in an Asian residential property to accommodate team members travelling from the UK. Over the following year, Anchorage will focus on fostering new strong partnerships and expanding its offerings to increase profitability. The business also seeks to formalise its sponsorship and VISA arrangements to facilitate easy movement between its UK and Asia offices. Anchorage has secured Private Equity funding to acquire some portfolios of insolvency cases, and the firm is excited to grow its clientele and develop its ambitious growth plans in 2024. Supporting its esteemed clients on their journey to financial recovery remains at the heart of the firm’s strategy and its professional team strives to deliver excellence throughout its services. Driven by values of accountability and honesty, Anchorage fosters long-term relationships with its stakeholders and suppliers which enables the company to implement its effective strategy and continue to exceed customers’ expectations. Anchorage Chambers has received our award for this year’s Personal Insolvency Practitioners of the Year – UK. Contact: Farhad Naqvi Company: Anchorage Chambers Limited Web Address: www.anchoragechambers.co.uk
SME News UK Finance Awards 2023/ 6 It’s a sad truth that having a full time financial director is a luxury that most SMEs nowadays simply can’t afford. It’s difficult to justify the additional cost when prices are already high, and businesses often have to settle for lesser alternatives just for their financial department to get by. Finance Direction Specialists Limited hopes to eradicate this problem once and for all. Committed to getting involved with businesses on a regular basis, the collective utilises the professional financial director matrix to help transform their inner workings for the better. Finance Director Specialists Limited is an awardwinning expert in predominantly educating SMEs on how to better manage their finances. Whether clients are seeking the evaluation of strategic direction, cash management, exit options, banking and funding relationship, financial internal control reviews, financial reporting, working capital requirements, cash management, or software evaluation, the collective promises to lend a helping hand. No matter how complex the request may be, Finance Director Specialists Limited is in the business of seeing SMEs excel, and is eager to get stuck into making that dream a reality. As previously mentioned, Finance Director Specialists Limited directs most of its focus onto well-established clients that typically fall into the SME category. This can range from start-up businesses to family structures and PLCs. In addition to its experience operating within a whole manner of industries, Finance Director Specialists Limited guarantees that it will never once fall out of its depth. Often times, the team comes into contact with clients who are at a crossroads, and need a little pointer on which direction would be best for their business’s finances. Sometimes, these companies may be in financial distress. Sometimes, the issues could be more personal. Regardless, Finance Director Specialists Limited is equipped to provide accurate, honest advice and guidance. This approach is unsurprisingly influenced by the company’s dedication to upholding its core values. Underpinning each of its services with a resounding sense of integrity, Finance Director Specialists Limited sets about delivering factual, direct, and impartial advice. As such, it’s established connections with clients who genuinely value the advice given, and are willing to transcend their preconceived notions in favour of a streamlined financial strategy. On most occasions, this involves roleplaying with clients in order to gauge their decision making skills. Finance Director Specialists Limited has found that this interactive approach helps to encourage a proactive mindset within its clients – a skill that they’ll be able to carry with them for the remainder of their business’s lifespan. As evidenced by this particular example, Finance Director Specialists Limited has made it abundantly clear that it enjoys making finance fun. It’s often easy to fall into the thought process of ‘finance can’t be fun, it’s far too serious.’ However, this is one stigma that Finance Director Specialists Limited is determined to break down once and for all. It loves what it does, and takes immense pride in the attitude that it has developed over the years. Now, using its team as a conduit for its enthusiastic nature, Finance Director Specialists Limited brings a new kind of excitement to the world of finance. In turn, clients benefit from an engaging and active process, while simultaneously receiving advice that’s geared to completely overhaul their financial processes. When Finance Director Specialists Limited first set out on its venture, it recognised that maintaining integrity would be essential, no matter the stage of the company. It believed it critical to always give direct, impartial, no-nonsense advice to clients, while delivering it in a calm, yet enthusiastic manner. The result is what we see today – a masterfully crafted approach to finance that keeps to the numbers, but isn’t afraid to have a little fun with the work it does. In this vein, Finance Director Specialists Limited has become immensely popular within the region’s industry, and its reputation shows no sign of wavering. At its heart, the collective has always been about helping people during their most painful moments. Though ran by a man who lives and breathes finance, Finance Director Specialists Limited isn’t about making money, but instead creating a very real difference. This is a throughline that’s been woven into the very fabric of the collective, allowing clients to engage with a thoughtful, professional, and passionate specialist who genuinely wishes to see them smile. Finance Director Specialists Limited is an exemplary entity within its field, and has few contenders when it comes to its unapologetic excitement to be able to go on a financial journey each and every day. However, if there’s one takeaway that Mark Birchall of Finance Director Specialists Limited wishes for readers to have, it’s this – “I would like to add to the young people entering finance that it really is an exciting time to join the industry. I discovered I was dyslexic at the of 47 and would like to have young SME Financial Director Specialist of the Year - UK
people with this quality join the profession, rather than steer clear from accountancy. It’s a great career, with many endless possibilities.” With many qualifications such as FCCA, MBA, Pg Coaching, and an CIPD HR Associate, alongside being BPS approved and a part of the British Psychometric Society, Mark has swifty established himself as a key player in the industry. He is also a member of the ACCA, CMILT, IoD, and a chartered member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport – clearly demonstrating his dedication to teamwork and progression. That’s not all – Mark isn’t all work – he loves helping charities, off-roading, driving fast cars and motorbikes, motor caravaning, and walking his dog. All the while bringing passion of finance into the limelight in the workplace, so that he, and his connections, can enjoy success with pride, passion, commitment, and perseverance. The passion that Mark holds for his work is simply infectious, and we hope that, through this inclusion, more individuals will take the plunge into the fascinating world of finance. We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone behind Finance Director Specialists Limited. Through the combined teamwork of each individual staff member, you’ve created a trustworthy entity upon which clients can rely in their time of need. Regardless of their struggles, your collective promises to nurture their business to the best of your ability, and for that we truly admire you. We hope that Finance Director Specialists Limited excels in its 2024 plans, and we simply can’t wait to see where said plans take it next. No doubt, the future is brimming with the endless potential that we’ve come to expect from the financial sector. Contact: Mark Birchall Company: Finance Director Specialists Limited Web Address: www.financedirectorspecialistsltd.co.uk/
SME News UK Finance Awards 2023/ 8 Located in Manchester in the very heart of the UK, RS Data Tech Ltd is a market leader in the credit agency sphere, proudly offering a stellar online product bolstered by an exceptional, personalised service which is certain to more than cover the financial needs of all of its clients. Working primarily with those in the financial services sector and their respective customer bases, a holistic solution is offered by the company that is wholly designed to enable customers to check, correct, monitor, and ultimately improve upon their financial footprint and personal data. We speak with Commercial Director Cody Silvester, who provides further insight into the company, its offerings, and successes in the market. With a primary objective of aiding its customers in achieving their chosen financial goals, whether this be a loan, their first car on finance, or taking the steps to improve their credit score to get the best mortgage rates, RS Data Tech Ltd is there to help, aiding from the very beginning of the process. Several key elements serve to distinguish the team from their competitors in the industry, with services available inclusive of credit monitoring alerts, a live credit score and accompanying report, personalised finance offers, exclusive perks and discounts, credit dispute/ correction tools, a one-to-one consultation for the purposes of improving credit, as well as fraud prevention and dark web monitoring. Across its host of services, RS Data Tech offers fantastic support functions such as live chat, email, or WhatsApp, resulting in the team’s expert services being available at a time and through a means that suits the customer. Such areas where Cody and the team are able to excellently advise include providing clarity on a client’s current circumstances or explaining in great detail just how a credit status is likely to be perceived by lenders. In an area of expertise as varied as financial services, the team know that each customer with which they deal will possess a totally different set of circumstances, impacted by contingencies such as financial history, so it is important for the firm to adapt remain adaptable and flexible. It is for this reason that RS Data Tech effectively utilises both its progressive systems and expert support team, allowing it to best take advantage of the available measures best suited to individual needs, in turn, enabling clients to be directed towards the right path. As Cody explains, “we believe this approach is different to everyone else in the marketplace, we think our hand-held customer support is unrivalled and we believe none of our competitors actively help customers achieve their financial goals as we do.” Within the industry, it is not uncommon for companies to simply direct customers towards their lending services, even when this may not be the best solution, the best price, or the best service the market can offer at that time. RS Data Tech takes an approach that is much more proactive, understanding, and altogether useful, as with just a few simple credit corrections or small improvements to a credit score, a better deal can often easily be achieved. The care taken in working out exactly what the best solution is for clients represents the unbridled dedication possessed by the team in going that extra mile for its customers, reinforcing its reasons for being celebrated with this award for the second consecutive year. Furthering influencing the company’s continued success is a culture anchored in treating others how you wish to be treated, whether this be customers or fellow colleagues. For Cody, “this massively influences the product and service we offer, because our goals align in trying to get the best consumer outcomes.” In addition to this, a great deal of the team members have personally taken advantage of the company’s awardwinning services in their personal lives, helping them to greatly improve their own circumstances. Recommendations rarely get better than this, and the process is encouraged by the management team, as personal experience only serves to further reap the benefits for clients and employees alike. The ever-changing nature of the industry is sure to continue to yield shifts well into 2024 and beyond, and the team are adequately prepared for anything that may come their way. With the cost of living having increased considerably over the past few years with little sign of slowing down, an increasing amount of people are turning to lending solutions such as payday loans or “buy now, pay later” schemes, and need more than just a mere free credit score to help them get back on track. RS Data Tech thus firmly believes appetite will only increase for its services, with the reports and scores it can provide becoming increasingly sought out in managing ballooning ratings on a national scale. Credit Agency of the Year 2023 - UK
Cody elaborates further, “customers need to understand how their credit score has been generated and how they can initiate an action plan to improve it. Furthermore, if their data has been compromised on the web, they need to understand how to identify where the data breach has happened and then launch an action plan to stop [the] scammer in their tracks who may cause them further financial harm.” Proudly offering these services and more, it is no surprise that the phrases which fill the air when describing RS Data Tech include terms such as, “straight talking”, “smart”, and “experts”. Ultimately, it is the primary aim of Cody and the team to evolve its digital footprint concurrently with the wider digital sphere, making progress year-on-year and ensuring people are not left behind to make poor financial decisions, as they are likely to without the necessary information and support to navigate a challenging industry at a difficult time. With this in mind, Cody believes that the biggest challenge facing the industry right now is educating customers on making these smart decisions, and it is something that the team strive to help remedy in the future. Regarding this future, 2024 is set to hold similar prosperity for RS Data Tech, with the company having plans in the pipeline to invest further in its products, offering customers yet more data points which can be reviewed regarding financial habits and spending, and with these tools is again an undercurrent of providing customers with that all important education on the importance of making smarter financial decisions moving forward. It is for this host of reasons that RS Data Tech Ltd has won this award, celebrating it as the “Credit Agency of the Year 2023 – UK”. We wish Cody Silvester and the team the best of luck for the future and are excited to see what 2024 has in store for this tremendous organisation. Contact Details Contact: Cody Silvester Company: RS Data Tech Ltd Web Address: https://www.rsdatatech.com/
SME News UK Finance Awards 2023/ 10 For most people their home is their biggest asset, especially with the rise in property prices over the years. This, in turn, has led to an increase in the equity tied up in people’s homes. If someone is over the age of 55 it may be an option to release some of this equity, whilst continuing to live in their home. The equity can be released as a one-off lump sum, if needed for a specific objective, like helping children with a house deposit or immediate home improvements. Alternatively, a drawdown facility may be more suitable. The drawdown option may be useful if you need money now to repay your interest only mortgage, but also require further funds for the future, for things like holidays or a child’s wedding, to name a few. This is where Richard Jones and the team at Smart Equity Release can help, offering approachable, honest, and upfront advice on the topic. There are numerous reasons why a customer may wish to release equity from their home, and to some, this could be a worrying and stressful time, something in which Richard and the team completely understand, which is why they will tailor each meeting to suit the individual needs of each and every customer. Smart Equity Release will search the lifetime mortgage market to find the most suitable product for the customer, and will work with a panel of solicitors that specialise in equity release conveyancing. In everything it does, Smart Equity Release strives to deliver a truly outstanding level of customer service. It provides customers with a fair, simple, and complete explanation of their equity release plan, clearly setting out its benefits and limitations as well as the obligations that come under the terms of its contract. In this, customers will be informed about the cost of setting up the plan, the tax implications, what will happen if they wish to move to another property, and how changes in house values may affect their plan. Smart Equity Release is a member of the Equity Release Council, a voluntary body that aims to ensure that its members act with professionalism, integrity, transparency and with expected service levels. Smart Equity Release does not require clients to pay an upfront advice fee. Instead, it has a fixed advice fee of £995, only payable when and if the lifetime mortgage completes. “We believe everyone should have access to first class independent equity release advice that does not cost the earth,” Richard shares. “Everyone is unique, with different needs and goals, so we tailor our advice to what you want to achieve. We have streamlined the interview process, so you are not spending hours talking about budget planners and more about the things that really matter, and at the same time making a somewhat cumbersome process a more enjoyable experience.” Smart Equity Release understands that deciding to release equity from a home is a big decision and that it should not be rushed into. For this reason, the firm aims to conduct at least two meetings with its clients, providing them with plenty of time to consider its advice and ask questions. These meetings can be conducted face to face, by phone, or through video call as preferred. Furthermore, Smart Equity Release recommends that each customer has an independent representative present during the meetings, whether it is a family member or close friend, to help with their decision-making and to offer support. With the customer and their family at the heart of its work, Smart Equity Release goes above and beyond to make the customer journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. Its team members are friendly, professional, and committed to helping customers feel at ease from day one. Based in Wirral, Smart Equity Release is a financial planning firm that specialises in providing clients with independent equity release advice. Here, we speak to Director and Equity Release Adviser Richard Jones to find out more about the company, its mission, and its work. Best Equity Release Specialists - North West England
“Receiving independent equity release advice can be a worrying and confusing time for customers,” Richard explains. “We believe we offer an approachable service and will help the customer explore all options before committing to equity release. If we feel equity release is not the most suitable solution, we will inform the customer so they can explore all of their options before committing to an equity release product.” Primarily serving customers over the age of 55, the firm also offers a comprehensive selection of later life planning services, including wills, will trusts, lifetime trusts, and Lasting Powers Of Attorney. Whether you are looking to write a will, review your existing will, or set up a trust, the firm is equipped with the experience and knowledge needed to ensure that the job is completed properly. In this, Richard and his team guide clients through the difficult choices that need to be made, providing them with exceptional support. To understand the quality of Smart Equity Release’s services, one must simply take a look at Richard’s reviews on VouchedFor, where he has an impressive five-star rating. For example, one satisfied customer shares, “We are in the process of renovating a property and wished to release some equity to complete the building works. Richard Jones gave us valuable advice regarding equity release and other methods of gaining income to continue our building work. The advice given helped us to make the right decision for us.” For its excellence in all areas, Smart Equity Release has been awarded Best Equity Release Specialists, North West England, in the UK Finance Awards 2023. In the future, the company hopes to expand its offerings to include independent mortgage advice, independent financial and pension advice, and estate planning services. Through this, it aims to help the whole family by offering whole of market advice in all the key areas. In addition, in 2024, Smart Equity Release will be opening an office in West Kirby, Wirral, to help more local people access approachable and accessible independent financial advice. However, it is incredibly important for individuals to fully understand the terms and conditions of an equity release scheme as well as its implications. Equity release will reduce the value of their estate and the amount of inheritance they leave to their family. For this reason, it is important to seek professional advice before making a commitment. Smart Equity Release is proud to be an appointed representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd., which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Smart Equity Release Ltd is registered in England and Wales. Company No: 13238659. Registered address is 5 Tudor Grange, Wirral, CH49 1TD. Contact Details Contact: Richard Jones Company: Smart Equity Release Web Address: www.smartequityreleaseadvice.com
SME News UK Finance Awards 2023/ 12 Truestar Talent Ltd: Best Financial Services Recruitment/Headhunting Specialists – UK Double award winner in Financial Awards for SME News, Truestar Talent Ltd. specialises in recruitment and headhunting for Financial Services Advisory companies across the UK. Pam Sutherland founded the business back in 2015 and at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 saw the company go national, with it today having a large expert UK team of very experienced Senior Talent and Acquisition Managers spanning from Scotland to Cornwall. With the support of her great team, Pam launched an additional specialist division for IFA acquisition called Truestar Legacy in early 2023; with a specific focus on both individual IFAs and IFA companies looking to buy and sell their businesses. We learn more about Truestar as the entire team is recognised in the UK Finance Awards 2023 - winning two awards! From working closely in Financial Services with IFAs and Wealth Planners for over 35 years, on average, Truestar’s team both know a lot of people, have earned a strong ethical reputation and have an in depth understanding of the industry. The synergy between Truestar’s Talent and Legacy is that both divisions benefit from the team’s personal extensive experience in the financial services industry from previous roles such as financial planning and regional/sales management. Working within the financial services sector, the client base Truestar deals with is vast: ranging from international merchant banks, through to national UK-owned companies and even niche local IFA firms who offer something different. Truestar Talent is also the sole provider to some of these national companies, and have achieved this tremendous feat through listening and working closely as trusted partners and placing well-matched candidates who have both stayed with companies for many years and fostered long-term successes. Underpinning Truestar’s success is their personal approach, with care and warmth at the centre of everything that the team does. They listen and truly take the time to understand the client, candidate and IFA seller’s perspective; finding out what makes them happy, what matters most to them and striving to provide them everything on their wish list. The working methods adopted by the firm are both practical and down to earth, cemented equally in common sense and a consistent commitment to honouring promises. By being passionate about positive outcomes they strive for nothing less than the best, ensuring informed choices are made across the board, bolstered by personalised support and a drive in getting to know customers on a personal level. Working together, Truestar firmly believe that success benefits all those around them, just as a rising tide lifts all boats. Communally they share best practice, which directly benefits clients, candidates and IFA business sales. This national team of ten have known each other for more than 20 years and possess an average of 35 years direct industry experience. Thanks to these long-tenured relationships excellence is advocated throughout, as they genuinely believe in the necessity of honest and clear communication. Since the team have been a force in the industry for a long time, their recommendations are trusted, and by listening and working closely with clients, the solutions they offer always deliver. With a staggering amount of combined experience behind them, the team at Truestar are able to take anything on – and they’re always ready to demonstrate their friendly yet hands-on approach when working with individual IFAs selling their businesses and Wealth Advisory firms who are recruiting. They specialise in roles ranging from C-Suite, to management, to advisory and to business support. With such a varied team of seasoned experts, Truestar has what it takes to support a range of businesses and individual needs and are very successful in knowing hard to reach career options, candidates who not actively looking and great IFA business sale opportunities. Leveraging their experience, the Truestar team connects with their clients on a personal yet professional level. The team is highly aware of their clients’ needs and wishes, and they treat each client in a respectful and inclusive way – they listen, see things from their clients’ perspective, work in a practical and honourable way, and hold an intense desire to create the best outcome no matter the current situation. Truestar’s mission is to always to do good and they only choose to work with people and companies that they believe they can recommend whole heartedly. The team believe in being fair, and providing informed choices, ensuring all parties are well-informed. Individually and as a team, they are fully supportive of the people they are working with, and are with them every step of the way, from introduction to completion, and beyond. Built on a series of core values and ethos, comprising of trust, listening, passion, insight, fun, and quality, Pam and the team are determined to treat others how they wish to be treated themselves. Through building trust between clients and themselves, Truestar has been able to create a solid foundation upon which to build meaningful partnerships that result in many word of mouth recommendations and both outstanding and copious testimonials. Of course, by taking the time to listen – and really paying attention to all of the details discussed – Truestar are able to transform someone’s wishes into a living, breathing reality. This isn’t always easy in business, however, with a keen ear to listen in an attentive and selfless way, Truestar gets to the root of any issues or pain points and comes to effective solutions which result in the best opportunities and plans for everyone they work with. Pam Sutherland: Most Client-Focused Financial Recruitment Advocate 2023
Passion is truly the driving force behind Pam and her team at Truestar; the entire team display and harness passion in order to propel themselves and their clients forwards through their individual journeys – and their shared paths. This inevitably creates experiences which leave a lasting impression for Truestar and their range of clients, no matter how different each partnership may be. Ultimately, Truestar thrives by helping a diverse collection of clients to achieve their preferred outcomes – and even exceeding what they ever thought would be possible. By injecting fun into every day, Truestar stays young at heart while forever growing more wise – the perfect balance to keep recruitment feeling like a breeze. With all of these values feeding into the overall delivery quality of the business provided for wealth management recruitment and IFA business sales Truestar makes these areas extremely possible, accessible, and even enjoyable. It is all of this, combined with the extensive experience they can provide, has led to such impressive statistics as a 90% hire conversion (with this serving as an industry high), as well as 97% of candidates spending more than 4 years in a given role (with this length of time growing further). By embodying the necessary emotional intelligence to concentrate simultaneously on the needs of a business and an individual, awardwinning results are guaranteed each and every time. Speaking of awards, Pam and the team are now multi awards winners with Pam herself winning the Woman Who Achieves Solopreneur Award 2019, Truestar Talent now two awards in the Financial Awards for SME News and also being nominated and now finalist for The Great British Businesswoman Award in the category of Entrepreneurial Businesswoman for 2023, with the decision for this set to be made by the end of this month. Keen to celebrate this success with her colleagues, saw Pam curate personalised websites for every member of the team, offering their own personalised video testimonials that have been filmed in an honest and authentic tone. These serve to highlight just how pivotal each and every member is to the success of the business and underpins how much they are valued and respected. With this remarkable team with her every step of the way, Pam remains confident in “the power of yes,” epitomising this ethos when it comes to embracing new ideas and new ways of working into 2024 and beyond. With Pam at the helm, Truestar is continuously supported, encouraged, and led towards excellence with compassion, empathy, and joy. Fundamentally, Truestar Talent Ltd is a recruitment specialist with a difference, driven by an expert team who hold their values high, living and breathing care and consideration for each other and all the people that they work in partnership with. Contact Details Contact: Pam Sutherland Company: Truestar Talent Ltd Web Address: https://www.truestartalent.co.uk/ https://www.truestarlegacy.co.uk/
SME News UK Finance Awards 2023/ 14 Bespoke Bookkeeping Firm of the Year - Southern England For those who are ready to streamline their processes and elevate their business with quality bookkeeping solutions, RS Bookkeeping Services Ltd. is the company to call. The firm is committed to helping small and medium-sized businesses to unlock their full potential and achieve growth. Here, we take a closer look at its background, services, and team. In 2013, RS Bookkeeping Services was established by Owner and Director Rowezeth Sewell, a highly experienced accountant and bookkeeper who started her career in the financial industry in 1994. Over the years, she has worked at a variety of companies and gained qualifications from the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). Since its inception a decade ago, RS Bookkeeping Services has been working to deliver accurate and efficient bookkeeping solutions. Its services encompass everything from accounts payable and receivable to general ledger entries to financial reports. The company even provides payroll services, allowing clients to spend less time worrying about taxes and wages and more time focusing on running their business. In its work, RS Bookkeeping Services caters to a wide array of clients, ranging from individual sole traders to medium-sized enterprises with the potential for further growth. The company understands that each of its clients is unique, so it strives to tailor its packages to meet their individual needs, adapting and scaling it services to match their size and expansion. In this, it leverages the latest in cloud bookkeeping technology, ensuring that their requirements are met with care and precision. The cornerstone of RS Bookkeeping Services is its vibrant, diverse team of well-versed bookkeepers who are equipped to take care of all clients’ accounting needs. Their deep care for businesses and commitment to delivering top-notch work are vital to the firm’s ability to retain its clients and form lasting relationships with them. To build this superb workforce, RS Bookkeeping Services has worked to hire individuals who boast strong bookkeeping knowledge, analytical ability, and communication skills. It has also built an internal culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and putting clients first, which has driven knowledge sharing and innovation amongst its employees. This ethos, combined with its use of cutting-edge technology, enables clients to benefit from the most advanced financial tools and bookkeeping solutions. Over the years, RS Bookkeeping Services has witnessed firsthand the evolution of financial technology, including the recent rise in the use of AI and cloud-based systems. The company faces both challenges and opportunities as it works to adopt these advanced tools to improve its services and provisions. As well as educating its own team on these topics, it also provides clients with relevant workshops and training programmes, aiming to help them integrate new technologies into their wider business operations to enhance their business efficiency and decision-making processes. In the years to come, there is no doubt that financial technology will continue to evolve and change. RS Bookkeeping Services plans to keep up to date with these developments, continuing to learn and adapt in order to stay ahead of the curve. Furthermore, as the fintech landscape progresses, there is no doubt that there will be a number of regulatory changes. To ensure its continued compliance, the company will keep a close eye on the situation. More generally, looking ahead to 2024, RS Bookkeeping Services will focus on achieving sustainable growth whilst upholding its high standards, aiming to continue delivering exceptional bookkeeping services at competitive prices. Through this, it will maintain its commitment to its clients, striving to foster their long-term loyalty. Considering its steadfast dedication to excellence, it is no surprise that RS Bookkeeping Services has received plenty of positive feedback from clients, resulting in its impressive five-star Google rating. For example, one client shares, “I have received amazing guidance, support, and service from Rose and her team regarding my business. My mind is at ease and my books are in order. Cannot recommend enough!” As a result, RS Bookkeeping Services Ltd. has been named Bespoke Bookkeeping Firm of the Year, Southern England, in the UK Finance Awards 2023. With ambitious plans, the company looks towards a bright future, and we wish it the best of luck in the coming years. Contact: Rowezeth Sewell Company: RS Bookkeeping Services Ltd. Web Address: www.rsbks.co.uk
Specialising in suggesting the most appropriate debt solutions for each individual client, First Credit Advice Limited is an agency that truly values the art of guiding people out of their debt struggles. For over a decade, the collective has been demonstrating an unwavering dedication to putting a smile on its customers’ faces, allowing it to accumulate a reputation simply brimming with character. Join us as we explore, in a little more detail, how First Credit Advice Limited has changed the way debt solutions are formulated. Most Trusted Debt Solutions Agency - Southeast England First Credit Advice Limited is an agency that has spent the last eleven years delivering comprehensive debt solutions to individuals across the Southeast of England. Its tailored advice, distributed via its network of experts, steadily focuses on how to resolve a client’s issue based on case relevance. It does so in the following domains: Bounce Back Loan and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Repayment Issues, Debt Adjusting, Unfairly Marked CIFAS, Negotiating Financial Agreements, Government and Tax Debts, Mortgage Arrears, Mortgage Short Fall Debt, Unfair Defaults, County Court Judgement Debts, Unfairly Marked Insolvencies, and Credit History Advice. With such a brimming catalogue of services at its command, First Credit Advice Limited has quickly established itself as the go-to for anybody seeking help with resolving their debts. It goes above and beyond to determine, not only the best, but the most appropriate solution – one that’s based on thorough investigation into every case. This has been the case since it first commenced operation back in 2012, and it hasn’t once struggled to uphold this level of quality. After all, helping individuals out of their debt is First Credit Advice Limited’s strength, and it thrives off of seeing people happy once their situations have been sorted. For well over a decade, First Credit Advice Limited has been deeply embedded in the UK’s debt industry. As such, it has coalesced a broad wealth of experience in delivering the exact expertise that clients are looking for. Its team, imbued with inarguable proficiency, is able to flawlessly demonstrate exactly what over eleven years of industry experience looks like, ultimately resulting in the collective garnering quite the reputation. A reputation that, since 2012, has been nothing short of immaculate. With not even a single bad review to its name, First Credit Advice Limited has distinguished itself as a flawless entity within its field. This is further emphasised by just how First Credit Advice Limited rose to the position it finds itself in today. Through word of mouth alone, the company has managed to branch beyond its borders – a quality that has led to it taking in the praises of its existing clients and projecting them to new ones. Regardless, customers are cared for on a far more personal level. From individual to business debt clients, First Credit Advice Limited has effortlessly conveyed its love for assisting others, and it’s this very characteristic that makes it so alluring to those considering enlisting its help. Truly, First Credit Advice Limited is a one-of-a-kind agency whose passion for problem solving has brought it leaps and bounds ahead of the sector’s expectations. It shines when it’s delivering specialised solutions that are perfectly catered to the needs of the individual case, which has definitely assisted it when it comes to appearing on the radar of potential clients. Its authentic approach is a refreshing one; it’s taken a model that’s often viewed as intimidating, and completely adapted it into something that those with no experience in the field can engage with. First Credit Advice Limited is a debt solutions agency that gets it right, and we’re sure it will continue to do so as it moves into its twelfth year of operation. Contact: Mohammed Saeed Company: First Credit Advice Limited Web Address: https://fcal.co.uk/
SME News UK Finance Awards 2023/ 16 Most Pioneering Global Payment Solutions Provider - UK MultiPay Global Solutions is built on a combination of experience and expertise, today providing cuttingedge payment solutions to some of the retail industry’s most recognisable brands, including Zara, Jack Wills, and Bershka. By embracing growth across diverse industry channels and a variety of platforms and locations, the business has established itself as a flexible, agile organisation with a robust team of experts that can effectively support customers and thrive at the forefront of technological payment solutions. Flexibility and agility are what many customers believe to be the firm’s core competencies and serve as just two of the key reasons why it is a trusted partner to many globally recognised brands. For more than a decade, MultiPay Global Solutions has served as a beacon of excellence in the field of payment solutions, starting out in the UK as the first business to provide customers with a standalone point-to-point encryption (P2Pe) payment solution. This success quickly expanded as the company implemented its technology in France, Ireland, Spain, and Poland. Riding the wave, 2017 saw MultiPay Global Solutions launch in 22 countries across Europe, following its certifications in the Nordic markets. Things did not end there, and in 2019, the company went live in Eastern Europe and across the Baltics. In 2023, they continued their tradition of innovation by developing a Pay by Bank solution for in-store payments. Pay By Bank is an innovative payment method that empowers merchants to securely process in-store payments directly from consumers' bank accounts through their mobile devices. Throughout its tenure, MultiPay Global Solutions has always had a sharp focus on paving the way forward, through an approach that blends innovation and tailored payment solutions. By always striving to be the first to do something, the team are able to uphold all of their customers’ requirements, solidifying the company’s position at the forefront of the market. Much of this success can be attributed to a series of core values, priding simplicity, agile development, and a commitment to innovation and technology. With an integrated gateway, two decades of experience to boot, and an end-to-end solution catering specifically to Pan-European retailers, it is no surprise that the firm has forged partnerships with numerous industry pioneers. Not only is the retail industry served by MultiPay Global Solutions, but this solution is also great for travel companies. The often-complicated process of accepting payments in multiple currencies and countries is simplified, alleviating intricacies whether a client business operates in one country or several. Additionally, MultiPay Global Solutions offers MultiTID functionality, allowing multiple TIDs (Terminal Identification Numbers) to be used on a single terminal, further enhancing flexibility and convenience for businesses across various industries. Spurring on the success of MultiPay Global Solutions is its team, particularly Co-Founder & COO Delia Pedersoli and Co-Founder & CEO David Maisey, with both of these entrepreneurs paving the way for success and leading by example. Upon winning this award, Delia stated, “our adaptable solution is designed to meet evolving customer needs. Winning the 'Most Pioneering Global Payment Solutions Provider' award reflects our team's dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.” What this award also reflects is her steadfast enthusiasm and commitment to the industry, having previously been instrumental in the establishment of several startups in the card payment industry. For CEO David Maisey, “this recognition underscores our dedication to innovation and customer excellence. We remain committed to redefining the future of payments for our customers.” In a similar vein, David too possesses a successful track record across the card payments industry, with a wealth of previous experience that includes the founding of Chip & PIN Solutions back in 2004, as well as direct industry dealings thanks to previous roles in such blue-chip companies as Alcatel, Xerox, and Dun & Bradstreet. Ultimately, many things serve to set MultiPay Global Solutions apart, with innovation, agility, and tailored technology standing out as the things at the top of the list. In addition to these however, the platform offers incredibly easy API refunds, streamlining the process for cashiers as a customer’s card is not necessary. Dynamic acquiring routing and double debt reporting also serve to distinguish the platform, as does its unique ability to process local debit cards in every country across Europe. By accepting all major card providers, mobile payment methods, and even emerging payments such as crypto, a universal payment solution has been created that serves as the ultimate choice for carrying out global transactions. Contact: Jenna Hamlyn Company: MultiPay Global Solutions Web Address: https://multipayglobal.com/
www.sme-news.co.ukRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjExMTU4Mg==