Simpler tax system key to unlocking growth for local businesses, survey finds
Businesses drowning in tax complexity. That was the verdict of many business leaders who think that an over-complicated tax system is holding them back more than high UK taxation, a survey has shown. The survey of around 400 UK business leaders, by UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm Azets, which has offices in…
Blacks named ‘Law Firm of the Year: Medium’ at Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026
Blacks Solicitors LLP is celebrating after being named Law Firm of the Year: Medium at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026, alongside four further shortlist recognitions for its specialist teams and emerging talent. The award follows a significant year of growth and development for Blacks, including a record-breaking financial year, the launch of a refreshed brand…
Small business owners say they are in it for the long haul
Small business owners have shown how resilient, resourceful and committed they are despite the challenges that come with running a business. New research shows that 90% percent of business owners say they have experienced at least one particularly difficult period in the past five years [1], which meant they seriously considered giving up their businesses…
Latest appointments strengthen real estate team
Andrew Jackson Solicitors has strengthened its real estate team with the appointments of licensed conveyancer Olivia Griffiths and newly qualified solicitor James Cornforth. Olivia and James will support the firm’s continued growth and enhance its client offering across the region and beyond. Olivia brings more than five years’ experience advising clients on a wealth of…
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust survey identifies area of high biodiversity value at Yorkshire Building Society HQ
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has undertaken a detailed biodiversity survey in the woodland located on the grounds of Yorkshire Building Society’s head office in Bradford. Covering around four hectares, the area stretches from the rear of the Yorkshire Drive offices through to neighbouring Parkside, forming a green corridor in a busy urban area. The study forms…
AI and Accounting Software: Practical Tools for Growing Businesses
Running a small or medium-sized business has rarely been more demanding. Rising costs, tighter margins and constant regulatory change keep the pressure on owners to stay on top of their finances. The good news is that technology is making that easier — and faster. Cloud accounting software and artificial intelligence (AI) tools are key terms…
Residents invited to have their say and learn more about the City of York Council budget
City of York Council is encouraging residents to learn more about the challenges facing local government finances and share their ideas as part of a new campaign ahead of next year’s budget setting process. Over the coming months, the council will be explaining how York’s budget is shaped, the growing pressures on council services and…
Outsourced Payroll Services for Leeds Businesses
Is your payroll provider still meeting your needs? With the start of a new financial year approaching, many businesses take the opportunity to review their payroll arrangements. Managing payroll in-house, or working with a provider who doesn’t offer the right level of support, can be time-consuming, stressful, and risky, particularly with payroll legislation continuing to…
Budgeting & Forecasting: Your Financial Roadmap
Running a business today is no small task. Between daily operations, customer needs, and staying competitive, budgeting can easily fall down the list. Yet a well-planned budget is vital — it helps keep your finances on track, supports growth, and helps you make informed decisions. Think of it as your financial roadmap — showing where…
Yorkshire Building Society announces New Chief Financial Officer
Yorkshire Building Society has announced the appointment of James Mack as its new Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, subject to regulatory approval. With over 20 years’ experience in financial services, he is currently Chief Executive Officer at John Lewis Money and previously held the role of Chief Financial Officer at Barclays UK and Aldermore,…
“Summer of sorrow” for businesses
There were 1,946 corporate insolvencies in August, 0.6% more than in July (1,934) and 3% less than in August 2025 (2,007) in England and Wales, according to new statistics published today. (18 SEPTEMBER 2026) Richard Oddy, a restructuring and insolvency partner in Yorkshire at Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm with offices…
Azets UK invest in next generation in Yorkshire
UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets has welcomed 23 new graduates and school leavers at its offices in Yorkshire. It has recruited the next generation of accountants and business advisors across multiple service lines in Leeds, Bradford and York. Within the new intake, 13 of the new apprentices are in audit, six are in Accounts…
Wilkin Chapman Rollits appointed to Government Commercial Agency legal panel
Wilkin Chapman Rollits has been appointed to Government Commercial Agency’s legal panel for public sector framework. The firm has been named as a supplier on the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) RM6374 Legal Panel for Public Sector framework, which will run until at least July 2029. Through the framework, public sector and third-sector organisations across the…
Free event on protecting and preserving intergenerational wealth in Leeds
A Yorkshire law firm is bringing together legal and financial specialists for an event in Leeds next month that will examine the practical challenges involved in protecting and preserving family wealth across generations. The event, titled Protecting and Preserving Intergenerational Wealth, is being organised by LCF Law and will take place on Wednesday 7th October from…
Tenants take occupation at Marrtree Business Park
Marrtree Developments, advised by Savills and GV&Co as joint agents, has welcomed two new occupiers to Marrtree Business Park, Wakefield, following practical completion earlier this year, as demand continues to build for high-quality industrial space in prime motorway locations. Completed in February, the nine-unit scheme has already seen two lettings completed and four units now…
‘Calendar method’ calculations for thousands of baffled businesses don’t add up following complicated government compliance
“Getting holiday pay calculations wrong not only invites an investigation by the Fair Work Agency but opens the door to a costly employment tribunal and compensation pay-outs.” “We haven’t found two employers tackling this in the same way.” H-J Dobbie, Head of HR Consultancy at Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm. Businesses in…
Five new legal professionals join growing LCF Law team
Yorkshire law firm LCF Law has made five appointments across its Leeds and Bradford offices, including three aspiring solicitors who will now embark on the firm’s acclaimed solicitor training programme. In Leeds, the firm has recruited Jenna Leach as a legal executive in its corporate team, alongside two new paralegals with Matthew Griffiths joining the…
Businesses, beware the Autumn cashflow crisis – Azets
A major Yorkshire accountancy and business advisory firm has warned SMEs could face ‘an Autumn cashflow crisis’ if they don’t prepare properly for key October tax deadlines. Many Yorkshire businesses face three key payment deadlines in October: Corporation Tax (01/10), VAT returns (07/10) and PAYE Settlement Agreement (19/10 postal payments, 22/10 for electronic and online…
428,000 miss Making Tax Digital’s first filing deadline – Azets
Almost half the people eligible for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax have missed the first filing deadline, according an analysis from accountancy and business advisory group Azets. Figures from HMRC showed 436,000 taxpayers filed their first MTD for Income Tax quarterly update on time on August 7 – 50.5% of those who should…
Provisio Care Group expands with new specialist care home
Leading care provider Provisio Care Group has acquired Moor Park House, a specialist centre dedicated to treating people with complex spinal and brain injuries. The acquisition of the Preston facility marks a significant milestone in the growth of the business, which now operates three care homes in the North West, as well as a temporary…
Yorkshire Building Society helps families get creative at Leeds Road Festival
Families from across Bradford got involved in creative activities with Yorkshire Building Society colleagues during this year’s Leeds Road Festival, a week-long celebration of culture, creativity and community that attracted more than 25,000 attendees when it launched last year. Following its successful debut, the festival returned with events taking place across venues along Leeds Road…
Iran war pushing up cost of borrowing for small businesses
The ongoing war in Iran which is pushing up the cost of borrowing for Yorkshire small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may be the final nail in the coffin for some businesses, says a sector specialist. Mark Barrie, head of debt advisory at UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets, believes the war – which began in…
AAB strengthens Central Scotland leadership team
Image caption (above): L-R: Iain Walker, Corporate Finance Partner and Head of Central Scotland, and Malcolm Crawford, Business Development Partner at AAB Leading UK and Ireland professional services firm AAB has strengthened its Central Scotland leadership team with the appointment of Malcolm Crawford as Business Development Partner, and the promotion of Corporate Finance Partner Iain…
Blacks named the most recommended law firm in Yorkshire by Legal 500
Blacks Solicitors LLP has been named the most recommended law firm in Yorkshire by Legal 500, topping new rankings drawn from more than 9,000 client responses across the region. The independent firm claimed first place ahead of Addleshaw Goddard, Irwin Mitchell, Pinsent Masons, Walker Morris and Freeths – a result that underlines the strength of…
Walker Foster completes MBO
Photo Caption: Walker Foster board of directors (l-r) Katie Ingham, Maxine Heppenstall, Ian Haynes, Jayne Schofield, Craig Williams, Sara Rutter Schofield Sweeney advises fellow law firm A management buyout at long-established general practice law firm Walker Foster, has been completed, with support from commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney. Equity Directors Maxine Heppenstall and Ian Haynes…
Azets UK appoints Leeds Office Managing Director
Pictured Above – TAKING OFFICE 1: International accountancy and business advisory group Azets has appointed Jessica Lawrence as office managing partner in Leeds. Jessica is pictured right with regional managing director Claire Needham, left. Highly-experienced Jessica Lawrence to lead office into next phase of growth International accountancy and business advisory group Azets has appointed highly-experienced…
Multi-million pound deal sees Normanton-based manufacturer join UK’s largest independent SIP provider
Award-winning Normanton manufacturer SIP Build UK (SBUK Group) has been acquired by Liverpool-based SIP Building Systems Ltd (“SBS”) in a multi-million-pound deal that creates the UK’s largest independent provider of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). The strategic acquisition brings together three of the UK’s most established SIP businesses – SBS, SIPCO, and SIP Build UK (SBUK…
Schofield Sweeney welcomes Private Wealth Director Amanda Simmonds
Leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney has strengthened its private wealth offering with the arrival of Director Amanda Simmonds, who joins the firm’s 20-strong specialist team. Amanda brings 38 years’ experience as a private client solicitor to the team, advising on all aspects of private client work including wills, trusts and related documents, estate administration,…
Simunix joins Banyan Software in strategic acquisition
Azets Corporate Finance has successfully advised the shareholders of Simunix Holdings Limited on its sale to Banyan Software, a company that acquires and develops growing software businesses worldwide. York-based Simunix – founded in 1998 by John Lewis – has become part of Banyan Software, which operates more than 100 portfolio companies across North and South…
Wilkin Chapman Rollits named among UK’s most recommended law firms
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire law firm Wilkin Chapman Rollits has been named among the most highly recommended firms across UK regions. In annual research by the legal services benchmarking platform Legal 500, the firm secured second place in the rankings for both Yorkshire and the East Midlands, based entirely on feedback from clients. Each year, Legal…
June 2026 insolvency statistics, Azets response
There were 1,845 corporate insolvencies in June 2026 in England and Wales – four fewer than in May 2026 (1,849), and 10% fewer than in June 2025 (2,048) Leeds-based Richard Oddy, restructuring and insolvency partner at UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory group Azets in Yorkshire, says: “June’s corporate insolvency figures were dominated by…
Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre are driving local growth, contributing over £308m to the local economy and supporting more than 6,300 jobs
Landsec, owner of one of the UK’s leading retail destination portfolios, has released its annual social and economic impact report revealing how Trinity Leeds and White Rose are helping to drive local growth, contributing £308,095,816 to the local economy and supporting 6,347 jobs in 2025.* Together, Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre play an important…
Three new partners strengthen law firm’s senior team
Lincolnshire and Yorkshire law firm Wilkin Chapman Rollits has strengthened its senior team by hiring a new partner and promoting two of its lawyers to partnership. Employment law specialist Sara Ellison is the latest partner to join the firm’s Lincoln office, while family lawyer Stacey Heeley and insolvency expert Louisa Shilleto have been promoted to…
Hostile UK tax system is crushing entrepreneurship – Azets
Changes and clarity needed to create and keep the next generation of Bransons, Dysons and Bartletts, says UK Head of Tax Britain’s tax system is crushing entrepreneurs and needs to be changed if the government wants more people in Yorkshire to start, scale and sell a business, a tax expert has warned. Praveen Gupta, UK…
Schofield Sweeney partner joins national succession planning taskforce
A partner at leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney has been appointed to the steering committee of the newly formed Succession Alliance – a UK-wide taskforce aimed at improving succession outcomes across financial planning. Established by the Consumer Duty Alliance, the Succession Alliance aims to improve consistency, raise expectations and provide practical education across the…
Growth for Andrew Marr International with acquisition of Seafish UK
Fastnet Fish Holdings (“Fastnet”), a subsidiary company of Andrew Marr International, has strengthened its position as one of the UK’s leading seafood businesses with the acquisition of Seafish U.K. Limited (“Seafish”), a long-established Hull-based manufacturer of frozen seafood products and bespoke sauce solutions. The acquisition brings together two businesses with deep roots in the Humber…
Experienced Insurance Account Executive appointed to support client growth
Bradford headquartered independent insurance broking and risk management firm, TL Dallas, has appointed experienced insurance professional John Loran as an account executive, strengthening its commercial team in Glasgow, as the business continues to expand its presence across Scotland. John joins TL Dallas with 18 years’ experience in the insurance sector, having worked across commercial insurance,…
Andrew Jackson strengthens corporate team with latest appointment
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has welcomed solicitor Dan Burton to its corporate team, further strengthening the firm’s offering to businesses across the Yorkshire and Humber region and beyond. Dan has several years’ experience advising corporate clients on a broad range of matters, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions. His work…
Specialist People Services completes refinancing with Virgin Money
Specialist People Services (SPS), the parent company of Driver Hire, has completed a refinancing of its senior and mezzanine facilities with Virgin Money. The deal, which followed a competitive process, secured a £25m funding package to support both the refinancing and future growth of the business. It replaces the existing facilities with a more competitive…
Schofield Sweeney represents Easy Bathrooms in successful high-profile IP case
Yorkshire-based commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney has acted in the successful defence of a significant trade mark and passing off claim, brought against its client Cubico (UK) Limited, trading as Easy Bathrooms, by the owners of easyJet. Founded in Yorkshire in 2013, Easy Bathrooms has grown from a single showroom into one of the UK’s…
Two-thirds of Making Tax Digital clients haven’t registered, Freedom of Information request by Azets finds
More than 580,000 people who should have registered for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax have failed to do so, according to the results of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from accountancy and business advisory group Azets. HMRC data shows that 864,000 individuals and landlords should have registered for MTD for Income Tax…
Chadwick Lawrence invests in training and support for the next generation of lawyers
Northern law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has awarded training and funding support for 11 team members, furthering its commitment to developing the next generation of legal professionals. The successful candidates are Sara Ali, Tom Coombes, Daniella Omoragie, Katie Smith, Ben Hess, Shayan Malik, Ethan Ward, Fran Whiting, Jess Goodwin, James Lockwood and Nadia Mohammed. They…
Blacks expands Real Estate Litigation team
The Real Estate Litigation team at Blacks Solicitors LLP, one of Yorkshire’s leading law firms, has strengthened its offering with the appointment of two new solicitors. Following a period of sustained growth and increasing demand, the team has appointed Chloe Ward and Jess Bowen as Associate Solicitor and Solicitor – taking the team’s total headcount…
Chadwick Lawrence invests in training and support for the next generation of lawyers
Northern law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has awarded training and funding support for 11 team members, furthering its commitment to developing the next generation of legal professionals. The successful candidates are Sara Ali, Tom Coombes, Daniella Omoragie, Katie Smith, Ben Hess, Shayan Malik, Ethan Ward, Fran Whiting, Jess Goodwin, James Lockwood and Nadia Mohammed. They…
70% of UK businesses fear economic uncertainty most as climate hits profits, hiring and costs, Azets research finds
UK businesses have been hit hard by economic issues and remain worried and pessimistic about the future of UK plc, according to new research from international accountancy and business advisory group Azets. The findings of the Q2 2026 Azets Barometer showed that economic uncertainty was the biggest concern over the next year for nearly 70%…
Schofield Sweeney strengthens team with senior appointments
Yorkshire law firm expands team with four senior recruits and influx of legal talent Leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney has made four senior appointments as part of a significant intake, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing service offerings and operational capabilities. Among the new hires are Leonie Sutherland, who joins the Real Estate team as…
Yorkshire Building Society wins Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year
Yorkshire Building Society’s External Affairs team has won Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year at last night’s Headline Money Awards in London, recognising its impactful work championing financial education for young people. The Headlinemoney Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in the UK financial media industry—specifically outstanding work in journalism, PR, and communications related to money,…
Chadwick Lawrence announces nine associate and salaried partner promotions following record year
Northern law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has announced a series of promotions across the business, recognising the outstanding achievements, dedication and contribution of its people following a record year for the firm. Nine internal promotions have been made, including four new salaried partners, three associate solicitors, one senior associate and one senior licensed conveyancer. The…