News & press releases

Grass routes business challenge winners announced

A team of students from Exeter University won the first ever Smith & Williamson Grass Routes Business Challenge at the Royal Agricultural College on 18 November.

The Grass Routes Business Challenge is a one day business competition run by Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and financial services group, in partnership with The Grocer and the Royal Agricultural College. Steve Ellwood, head of Smith & Williamson's Food and Agriculture team presented the winning team with the Grass Routes Trophy and a cheque for £600 to spend on a team building event.

Pre-Budget Report 2008

While there has been much publicity about tax cuts in the pre-Budget report, particularly to help hard-pressed families and smaller businesses, the question as to how these tax breaks can be funded - at a time when the government is spending billions on shoring up the financial system - remains unanswered.

Shake-up as lawyers seek to protect profits

Smith & Williamson's latest Professional Practices survey was covered in a lead article in the Financial Times on 27 October.

Top ten tax tips for buy-to-let landlords

With HMRC's crack-down on landlords, targeting those suspected of owing tax on buy-to-let income, and a tightening economy which threatens to reduce profits, Smith & Williamson highlights tax-saving tips for residential landlords.

Golden rules for keeping your business on track

The DIY sector is extremely vulnerable at the moment. The credit crunch, falling house prices, market stagnation, collapsing consumer confidence and rising costs will start to take their toll. In an economic downturn what can retailers do to protect themselves?

Barry Knight, who has significant experience in restructuring DIY businesses, highlights some golden rules for keeping your business on track.

Smith & Williamson appoints new continental European fund manager

Smith & Williamson is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Pignatelli, who will become the fund manager of the Smith & Williamson European Growth Trust. Mark has over 20 years' experience in investment management including 13 years at Baring Asset Management where he made his name as the Head of European Equities. He also has experience with Remus Capital LLP and Schroder Investment Management where he was Chief Investment Officer and Head of European Equities.

Survey confirms collapse in confidence across the property sector

A survey of 187 senior property industry executives carried out by Smith & Williamson, the professional and financial services group, highlights the property sector's lack of confidence for the future.

Advanced Visual Technology sale to Oracle

Smith & Williamson advised AVT on the sale to Oracle Corporation, the world's largest enterprise software company.

Electronics group switch on to new auditor and tax services provider

An electronics engineering group with world-beating products has switched on to a new auditor and tax services advisor.

Our south coast office was appointed by Larasian, a holding company which owns Lascar Electronics and Corintech.

Top tips to reduce stress in your workforce

Stress costs employers thousands of pounds in terms of staff absence. Smith & Williamson provides employers and HR professionals with their top tips.

Stress related absence accounts for 13.5 million days per year in the UK alone. This works out to approximately £3.7bn for UK employers or £666 per employee. For a business of 200 employees, this can mean 1600 lost days or £133,200.* Figures of this size should encourage employers to take urgent measures to ensure that their workforce is healthy and able to handle day-to-day stress.