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IDT appoints Alexander Knight & Co as accountants

We are delighted to welcome aboard Warrington-based IDT Support Solutions Ltd (IDT) as a new client.

IDT offers flexible IT support, efficient IT project delivery with expert consultation and solutions. They can act as a client’s IT department or supplement an existing IT function. In both cases, they aim to create long-term partnerships that add value through a combination of high-quality day to day support and well-considered strategic advice.

At Alexander Knight & Co we use them as our IT department, having worked with them for a number of years.

IDT was founded in 1997 by Colin Hepplestone, who is still heavily involved in day to day matters and the strategic direction of the business.

The firm has grown progressively from two people to an established team with big ideas.

Colin Hepplestone, managing director of IDT, said:

“We are delighted to appoint Alexander Knight & Co as our new accountants. We are impressed with their track record of working with information technology companies like ourselves and the fact they share our growth oriented and client focused approach to business.”

 

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Epigram completes successful management buyout (MBO)

EpigramEpigram

Our client Epigram, has completed a management buy-out (MBO) as part of the next phase in the company’s growth strategy and we are delighted to have supported the management team on the deal.

Epigram

The leadership of Epigram has completed a successful MBO of the business.

The Manchester-headquartered agency, which was founded by Nicky Owen in the early 1990s, has been active in the creative sector for over 30 years. In 2018, experienced legal marketing director Susan Siddall (née Pettit) came into the business to continue the growth of the company, kickstarting a succession plan for the agency.

The MBO sees the final part of that plan complete, with the buy-out of Nicky Owen’s shares by CEO Susan Siddall, bringing Epigram under sole ownership.

Founded in 1993, Epigram quickly established itself as the go-to agency for the legal sector, having carved out a niche through its deep understanding of partnership structures and law firm culture, as well as its requirement for tight turnarounds and high-quality creative work. Over the years, the business continued to grow organically through its work with some of the world’s best-known law firms including Linklaters, DWF LLP, DLA Piper, Addleshaw Goddard, Eversheds Sutherland and Osborne Clarke.

Since joining the business, Susan has played a key role in diversifying Epigram’s client portfolio, securing notable appointments to the Cultural Campaign supporting the Commonwealth Games in 2022, as well as bringing onboard a number of regional law firms including Pannone Corporate, Rusell Cooke and Taylor Wessing.

Under Susan’s leadership, the company has also expanded its client roster beyond the legal sector to work with global brands like Knight Frank and Kraft Heinz, as well as developing online and interactive offerings, guiding clients through the complexities of digital design and emerging AI tools.

Speaking of the news, Susan commented:

“I am pleased to announce the successful completion of this MBO which marks the next stage in our growth journey and would like to reassure our clients and partners that we remain committed to delivering high-quality, innovative and tailored design solutions.

“It is very much business as usual and we will continue to operate with the same team of talented designers, values and culture that have made Epigram such a trusted and respected creative partner over the last 30 years.”

Reflecting on the transition, Nicky, who will retire from the business to focus on her work in the charity sector, said:

“Having built Epigram from the ground up, it’s incredibly important to me that the company continues to thrive and grow. I have full trust in Susan’s ability to build on the foundations we’ve laid together in recent years.

“Her vision and dedication to both our clients and the team are exactly what Epigram needs to enter this next phase of growth. I’m excited to see how she will steer the company towards even greater success in the future.”

Susan added:

“Nicky has created an incredibly strong foundation, and as we move into this new chapter, I am more committed than ever to driving Epigram’s success. We have ambitious goals ahead and, with the continued talent, dedication and creativity of our team, I am confident we will achieve them.”

Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co, added:

We were delighted to provide advice to Susan and the brilliant Epigram team on this successful MBO. The team is now perfectly poised for more growth and success in the future.

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Two Alexander Knight & Co clients achieve prestigious ‘Sunday Times Hundred 2024’ status

Alexander Knight & Co is thrilled to see that two of our clients, Think Hire and Open Communication Partners, have been recognised among the top 100 fastest growing companies in the UK by The Sunday Times.

This achievement highlights our commitment to supporting fast-growing, ambitious businesses and cements our reputation as the advisors of choice for entrepreneurs.

We are proud that of only 7 companies from Greater Manchester who made the top 100 list of the Sunday Times Hundred 2024  – two of them are clients of our practice.

Think Hire

Think Hire, based in Oldham, secured the impressive 30th position on the full list with a growth rate of 130.17 percent. Their innovative solutions and dedication to excellence have propelled them to new heights in the industry. We have had the pleasure of working closely with Think Hire, providing the financial and strategic accountancy guidance necessary to support their rapid expansion as it looks to build on its turnover of £6.5m.

Open Communication Partners 

Open Communication Partners, headquartered in Manchester, claimed the 33rd spot on the full list with a remarkable growth rate of 124.41 percent. Its commitment to delivering top-notch communication, data and marketing solutions has set them apart in a competitive market. We are proud to have played a part in the journey, offering expert advice and accountancy services tailored to their needs as the company continues to evolve and build upon its latest reported turnover of £29.5m.

Accountants for entrepreneurs

The inclusion of our clients Think Hire and Open Communication Partners in The Sunday Times Hundred 2024 is certainly a testament to the hard work and dedication of their management teams and their people. It also underscores the value of our partnership with them.

At Alexander Knight & Co, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve their full potential through our comprehensive accounting and advisory services.

Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co, said:

“We are incredibly proud of Think Hire and Open Communication Partners for their outstanding growth and success. Their inclusion in The Sunday Times Hundred 2024 is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and innovation. At Alexander Knight & Co, we strive to provide the best possible support for our clients, and it’s hugely gratifying to see their success stories unfold.”

Looking ahead

As we celebrate the success of Think Hire and Open Communication Partners, we remain committed to fostering the growth of all our clients.

Our goal is to continue being the trusted advisors for fast-growing, ambitious companies across the UK. We believe that with the right guidance and support, there are no limits to what our clients can achieve.

Congratulations to Think Hire and Open Communication Partners, and here’s to many more years of shared success and growth!

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Clancy Consulting appoints Alexander Knight & Co

Clancy Consulting Logo

Alexander Knight & Co is delighted to have been appointed by Clancy Consulting to provide audit and accountancy services.

With roots going all the way back to 1972, Clancy has been delivering industry leading engineering for more than fifty years. Founded by Brian Clancy in South Manchester, the business started out life trading as The Brian Clancy Partnership.

Initially focused on providing civil and structural engineering services in the North West, the Clancy of today has evolved to include 10 offices across the UK. Clancy has also developed international links and has expanded globally by partnering with local firms in India and Oman.

Clancy’s multidisciplinary engineering services, national expertise and local knowledge are renowned amongst its broad client base, evidenced by the many clients who have retained their services for multiple decades.

Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co, said:

Murray Patt of Alexander Knight & Co.

“Clancy Consulting is a forward-thinking practice and a leader in the field. We are delighted to have been appointed by this dynamic and growing organisation and we are looking forward to developing a positive relationship.”

You can find out more about Clancy Consulting here.

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A success story in exporting to the USA

We were delighted to catch up with the team at GaraDry, an innovative product design company, which won a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise earlier this year.

GaraDry designs, manufactures, and sells the world’s largest range of threshold seals for residential garage doors and commercial doors.

We caught up with founder Ashley Smith who was happy to share some of his key experiences in cracking open the giant American marketplace…

“We launched our USA subsidiary in the USA in 2017 (GaraDry LLC), to handle strong interest from Americans in our products and we also launched a fulfilment centre in Tennessee to ship transatlantic orders quickly.

“People shouldn’t be frightened of exporting to the USA. My view, as an online retailer is that it should be as easy to sell your goods in Baltimore as it is in Blackpool if you have the right infrastructure, processes and people on your team.

“The impact of fluctuating exchange rates can make a huge difference to the viability of your export model. As well as margins being heavily dependent on these fluctuations, you’ve also got inflation to contend with on both sides of the pond.

“Shipping costs have stabilised recently but there was a time last year when the cost of a container to the States tripled in the space of just a few short months. The volume of containers to the USA reduced, putting up prices for everyone. You need to be very prepared for these kinds of issues which are largely out of your control.

“Overall, business is very good for us in the USA, The American public has taken to our products very well and we have a brilliant relationship with our customers in the USA.

“We see the USA as a key market for our range of products and we are constantly evolving our sales and marketing processes to generate more sales right across the USA.

“We’re really pleased we’ve got Alexander Knight & Co as our accountants and having the right professional advisers on board makes a huge difference to our success.”

Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co, added:

“There is huge demand for the GaraDry range of garage seals in the USA and we are delighted to be their accountants and support them in their growth journey in the USA.

“As part of our membership of MGI, the global accounting network, we have first class contacts across the USA and can make introductions to the right people who can assist on the ground if you want to export to the States.”

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Thank you

We’d like to say a massive “THANK YOU” to many of our clients who have retained us for more than TEN years. We’re really pleased that this loyal client base is comprised of businesses within a wide variety of industry sectors including: 

  • Civil engineering 
  • Digital marketing 
  • Manufacturing
  • Electrical engineers 
  • Corporate Finance 
  • Legal 
  • Childcare
  • Transport & Logistics 
  • Media 
  • Wholesaler 
  • Retail 
  • Technology 
  • Property 

Thank you for your ongoing support – it means the world to our team!

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Welcome to our latest audit clients

We are pleased to confirm we have been appointed by three leading businesses as their audit accountants. You can find out more about Selwyns Travel, Lumenpulse UK and Think Hire by clicking on the links below.

Our audit enables us to spot potential risks, find ways of boosting performance, and suggest ideas for growth.

We don’t just regard an audit as a single annual visit. For us, the face-to-face contact and information we collect is an integral part of an ongoing flow of knowledge. We use this to keep our clients well-informed and confident in their business decisions based on solid financial foundation.

When we have completed our work, we provide a comprehensive, accessible summary of the audit findings and arrange a meeting to discuss in detail these and any other issues. For more information about our audit service click here.

 

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Deal sees £1.5m turnover printing business acquired

Deal sees £1.5m turnover printing business acquired

We place great emphasis on our high quality relationships with other professional advisers. We believe that by working alongside the best lenders, lawyers and insolvency practitioners we can offer a fully rounded service that the modern entrepreneur expects.

A deal which saw one of our clients in the printing sector acquired has been completed successfully as a result of proactive teamwork with other professional advisers.

When one of our long-standing clients faced severe cashflow difficulties we were able to work closely with the directors and senior management team and other professional advisors to source buyers for the business, who could take it forward as a going concern.

The business, a successful owner managed business had been trading for more than 15 years. Earlier this year it faced extra challenges due to reduced demand for its specialist glass printing as well as stiff competition from overseas competitors.

Sadly, as margins continued to be squeezed, and after exhausting all other funding options, the directors had no other choice but to place the business in administration.

Working with restructuring specialists

We introduced the directors to SFP Restructuring Limited, the licenced insolvency practitioners, who immediately set to work discreetly marketing the business for sale through its network of contacts, investors and interested parties. After a period of just two weeks, an offer for the business was accepted and the business was acquired by a trade buyer.

The deal meant that the directors of the business could exit and new owners could continue the business with minimal disruption. It was a good deal all round and the business remains in experienced hands moving forwards giving certainty for staff, suppliers and the wider marketplace.

We were very pleased to be able to assist the directors to identify the most suitable exit from the business. Our clients were keen to ensure that the business was passed onto experienced operators, who would continue to use the brand name, maintain the skills developed by their staff and seamlessly integrate a new management team. This was successfully achieved by working closely alongside SFP Group, the restructuring specialists, who were able to move quickly and get the deal done.

Daniel Plant, director of SFP Restructuring Limited, said:

“By working proactively with management as well as the team at Alexander Knight & Co we were able to do all of these things achieving a good result in difficult circumstances.”

If your business is experiencing cashflow issues, speak to us to get advice on your options.

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Tyrers Coaches appoints Alexander Knight & Co as new accountants

Tyrers, the Chorley-based coach and travel operator has appointed us as its new accountants as the business gears for even more growth following a record year.

S. Tyrer & Son was established in Adlington in 1972 by Bob Tyrer. Bob had been a coach driver for more than 30 years and started his own business at the age of 58, with one vehicle: a Bedford with a Leyland engine on a Plaxton body.

Over the years his fleet expanded to five vehicles before he passed away in November 1992 when family members carried on the business.

The firm’s main booking office is still based in Adlington on Chorley Road and its garage is on Cowling Brow in Chorley where it now operates more than 80 vehicles.

Turnover last year grew by 20% compared to the previous year, topping £6m. The management team is confident of more growth as it plans further investment in new vehicles and premises over the next 18 months.

Clients include Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, NST Educational Tours, as well as local authorities and schools.

Richard Buckle, managing director of Tyrers Coaches, said:

We had a good year last year thanks to growth in the number of new contracts we secured with schools, private companies and growth in the number of UK excursions booked by customers.

“We are delighted to appoint Alexander Knight & Co, who are experienced in acting for other successful coach operators, as advisers to our business as we plan our next phase of growth.

Tyrers is an historic family-owned business whose vehicles are instantly recognisable across Lancashire. The business is growing organically and perfectly located to serve Manchester, Bolton, Preston, Wigan, Blackburn.

The importance of reliable management information cannot be understated as the business seeks to enhance its trading position and make new investments over the next eighteen months.

We are delighted to have been appointed as their new accountants.

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Football’s coming home

It’s live. It’s loud. It’s (almost) here.

We have teamed up with our friends at Gresham Wealth Management to host an exclusive screening of the England v Belgium World Cup game on Thursday 28th June (7pm kick off).

If you are a football fan & would like to watch the likes of Henderson, Lallana, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexander-Arnold & maybe Mignolet (hmmm… anyone spot a theme here?) in action at a private venue in Altrincham with a complimentary bar and snacks, then please e-mail alison@alexanderknightaccountants.co.uk to register your interest (quoting England/Belgium).

Official invitations & further information will then be e-mailed. Please be sure to RSVP to Alison as soon as you get it because places are strictly limited and it’s sure to be a popular fixture!

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