Latest News

Commodity Malaise continues…….

The last year has been difficult for the world economy, and it has affected all of us, and particularly our agricultural clients. What began as an oversupply in the Milk Sector quickly became apparent as one part of a sudden collapse in global commodity prices, in every sector, from oil to metals to food.

Seven key performance indicators retailers should measure to be more profitable

As an advisor to independent retail businesses across Cumbria, I’m often asked if there are ways to be more profitable in an industry savaged by the online world. There is no magic solution to this but what successful retailers have in common is that they use the information they have within their business to help them make better more informed decisions. This in turn helps them make a better return on their business.

Support for the victims of flooding

Just weeks after the devastating storms battered various counties across the country, many individuals and businesses will be well under way with the process of trying to return their lives and businesses to something like normality. Unfortunately there are all too many people already well versed in dealing with such devastation and will have already made use of the support on offer, but it’s certainly worth re-iterating some of those lines of support available to individuals, voluntary and community groups and businesses affected by the floods.

Investing in people makes a great firm to work for, and a great firm to do business with

Armstrong Watson is a firm taking the development of their people and the future needs of their clients seriously.

The firm have recently made a significant new appointment, with the arrival of Joanna Woodford who has taken up a new position within the firm, Head of Learning and Development.

A growing Corporate Finance Team for Yorkshire

Building on the bringing together of its Yorkshire based teams into Leeds, Armstrong Watson’s Yorkshire Corporate Finance Team continues to develop and grow following a sustained period of increased activity.

New appointment brings insider knowledge to benefit businesses

Armstrong Watson is delighted to announce the appointment of Jon Wilson who has joined the firm as Director this month.

Jon’s role will be focussed on supporting businesses in their development and growth, and his exceptional experience has seen him enter a business through a management buy-out, survive through a recession, grow in tough competing markets, and make a business fit for an ongoing sale.

Auto Enrolment - what is postponement?

Employers approaching their Staging Date can choose to postpone Automatic Enrolment for up to three months, but it is important to note that the Staging Date does not change and you must also ensure that you write to all your staff within six weeks of the Staging Date to alert them of the postponement.

A Taxing Divorce

While it may sound clichéd, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence from family solicitors that enquiries from people contemplating divorce increase in the New Year. 

However latest hard facts on divorce, courtesy of the office for National Statistics, actually show a slight decline in the number of divorces. There were 2.9% fewer divorces in the latest figures from 2013 compared to 2012. There is also a suggestion that couples marrying after 2000 are faring better - perhaps because they are marrying later and often after a period of co-habitation. 

The most important piece of financial advice?

I have been fortunate enough to work with a number of clients over the years and continue to advise many of them today. I have enjoyed seeing my clients grow their families, build up their careers and even set up their own businesses.

Working on flooded homes – don’t get soaked by the tax man in 2016

After the devastating floods this winter - starting in Cumbria before hitting Lancashire, Dumfries, Yorkshire, the Scottish Borders and even Greater Manchester - many of our clients in the building and allied trades are getting stuck in helping to dry out and rebuild homes. Heart-breakingly many of them are going back to redo work from previous flooding incidents. The bitter experiences of individuals and businesses from previous floods are informing how everyone deals with the current floods.