Temporary VAT reduction may lead to ‘Summer of disruption for businesses’
Azets tax specialist advises early action to ensure compliance and minimise disruption The temporary VAT reduction for children’s meals, admissions and family attractions could lead to a summer of disruption for businesses, says Yorkshire accountancy firm Azets. Aimed at families, it is being introduced by the government as part of a wider initiative to support…
Colleagues conquer Snowdon at night to reach £1 million milestone for the Felix Project & FareShare
Colleagues from Yorkshire Building Society are celebrating raising over £1 million for the Society’s charity partner, The Felix Project & FareShare. The team’s fundraising total tipped over the £1 million mark after more than 200 colleagues from across the Society, completed a challenging, yet unforgettable overnight climb of Mount Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain. Together, the…
Blacks Solicitors leads on sale of Yorkshire Raw Feeds to The Nutriment Company
Leading Yorkshire law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP has advised the shareholders of Yorkshire Raw Feeds in the sale to The Nutriment Company (TNC), one of Europe’s fastest-growing natural pet food groups. Completing on 17th June, Rebecca Holden, Partner and Head of Corporate, assisted by Trainee, Leon Cordero advised on all aspects of the transaction. Specialists…
Why financial responsibility is so difficult to rest from
At senior level in banking, lending, wealth management and financial leadership, money is never just money, is it? It represents security. Payrolls. Mortgages. Business continuity. Family stability. Long-term futures. That is why the pressure in these roles is rarely superficial. Leaders in finance are not only managing figures. They are carrying the emotional and practical…
Review payroll processes amid tighter minimum wage scrutiny, bosses warned
Employers across Yorkshire are being urged to review their payroll processes and employment practices urgently amid growing scrutiny over National Minimum Wage (NMW) compliance and the expanding enforcement powers of the Fair Work Agency (FWA). Accountancy and business advisory group Azets, which has offices in Leeds, Bradford and York, has warned that many businesses are…
Blacks announces strong financial year as firm unveils refreshed brand
Blacks Solicitors LLP has today announced a record financial year alongside the launch of a refreshed brand identity, reflecting the firm’s continued growth and development. The 2025/2026 financial year was the strongest in Blacks’ history, with turnover exceeding £22.9 million for the first time. During the year, Blacks supported clients across the UK, including Morrisons,…
Castle to host free Employer Update for Yorkshire businesses ahead of Employment Rights Act changes
Yorkshire businesses are being encouraged to prepare early for major employment law changes that could affect how they recruit, manage and retain staff from 2026 onwards. Castle HR & Training Solutions and Castle Employment Solutions are hosting a free face-to-face Employer Update on 25 June to help employers understand the upcoming Employment Rights Act changes…
A value-added boost for Yorkshire charities
A long-standing tax levied on businesses donating to charities has now been removed, a major accountancy and advisory firm in Yorkshire has said. Azets, with offices in Leeds, Bradford and York, wants to remind businesses that they can now give goods to registered charities without paying VAT. The news comes at a time of falling…
Three new partners appointed at Wilkin Chapman Rollits
Law firm Wilkin Chapman Rollits has further strengthened its senior team with the appointment of three new partners, including one in its York office. Experienced commercial litigator Dean Hill has joined the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire firm as a partner in the dispute resolution team, based in York. Dean joins as a lateral hire from Ramsdens…
Savills appointed to sell Crab Manor Hotel in Thirsk, North Yorkshire
International real estate advisor Savills has been appointed by a private individual to sell the long leasehold of the Crab Manor Hotel and Crab and Lobster Restaurant in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, for offers over £4 million. The boutique hotel provides 20 individually designed en-suite rooms within the 18th century Georgian manor house. The rooms are inspired…
Yorkshire Building Society appoints new Non-Executive Directors
Yorkshire Building Society today announces the appointment of two new Independent Non-Executive Directors. Barry O’Dwyer and Philippa Brown join the Board from 2 June, bringing extensive experience across financial services, customer-focused businesses and digital transformation. Barry has almost 40 years’ experience in financial services, particularly insurance and pensions. He is currently Group Chief Executive of…
Chadwick Lawrence strengthens regulatory team with senior solicitor appointment in Darlington
Northern law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has appointed highly regarded Teesside solicitor Simon Catterall to strengthen its specialist regulatory law team, bolstering the firm’s presence in the North East. Catterall joins the firm’s expanding regulatory department, bringing decades of experience representing businesses and individuals facing prosecution or investigation by public authorities across Northern England. He…
James Sweeting shares lessons from 30 years in business at Humber Business Week
Andrew Jackson Solicitors hosts more than 120 delegates for flagship event James Sweeting, co-founder of Pipers Crisps, Lincoln & York, and Sumo UK, was keynote speaker at a flagship event hosted by Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP this morning, marking the start of Humber Business Week. More than 120 business leaders and professionals from across the…
Schofield Sweeney retains its place in Sunday Times Best Places to Work list
Leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney has been named in the official Sunday Times Best Places to Work list for the third year running. The nationwide workplace survey recognises and celebrates the UK’s top employers, showcasing organisations that are leading the way in employee engagement, workplace culture and overall employee experience. The law firm was once again…
AAB welcomes two firms in latest strategic growth deal
BpH Wealth Management and Jane Smith Financial Planning join AAB as Assets Under Advice reach £2.5 Billion AAB’s award-winning chartered financial planning team, AAB Wealth, continues to implement its strategic growth plan with the acquisition of two firms – BpH Wealth Management and Jane Smith Financial Planning. The move will mean AAB Wealth serves over…
Azets welcomes new audit partner in Yorkshire
UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm recruits highly-experienced auditor Sarah Palmer in Leeds office International accountancy and business advisory group Azets has strengthened its senior team in Yorkshire with the appointment of Sarah Palmer as an audit and assurance partner. Sarah joins the firm’s Leeds office after more than 17 years at PwC…
Chadwick Lawrence appoints Leanne Franks as Equity Partner
Northern law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has promoted Leanne Franks to equity partner, recognising her outstanding contribution to the firm over the past 11 years. As partner and head of the corporate and commercial department, Franks has played a key role in strengthening the firm’s commercial offering and shaping the direction of the team. Now…
AAB Wealth recognised at 2026 VouchedFor Client Experience Awards
AAB’s chartered financial planning team, AAB Wealth, has been recognised at the 2026 VouchedFor Client Experience Awards, winning the Client Communication Award, in recognition of its commitment to delivering clear, client-focused financial advice. Hosted by VouchedFor, the UK’s leading review platform for financial advisers, the Client Experience Awards are based entirely on verified client feedback….
Partner and Associate roles among latest promotions at Andrew Jackson Solicitors
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has announced a series of promotions across the firm, strengthening its ability to support clients across the region and beyond. Sally Price has been promoted to partner in the tax and trusts department. She advises clients on wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, probate matters and estate administration, with particular expertise in…
Azets warns Yorkshire charities of HMRC clampdown
Warning to Yorkshire charities over increased HMRC activity in sector Charities and not-for-profit organisations in Yorkshire are being warned to ensure all their procedures and records are watertight in the light of new and enhanced compliance activity by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). HMRC has recently initiated a programme of Structured Risk Reviews (SRRs) across…
Making tax digital for landlords and sole traders
What You Need to Know (and How to Prepare) If you’re a sole trader or landlord running a small property business, you’ve probably heard about Making Tax Digital (MTD)—but many are still unclear on what it actually means in practice. MTD for Income Tax is a significant change being introduced by HMRC that will affect…
Andrew Jackson and Smailes Goldie advise on sale of LSTC Group to SOCOTEC UK and Ireland
Leading regional firms Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP and chartered accountants Smailes Goldie, announce that they have advised the selling shareholders of Driffield-based LSTC Group (“LSTC”) on the sale of their shares to SOCOTEC UK & Ireland (“SOCOTEC”), a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, which employs over 2,000 people and generates £240 million…
AI can cost you money, warn experts
Investors in Yorkshire should be wary of taking financial advice solely from AI platforms, one of the county’s leading accountancy and advisory firms has warned. Experts from Azets, which has offices in Leeds, Bradford and York, have likened the practice to Googling health symptoms rather than going to see a doctor. With rising taxes and a…
Independent financial services firm focuses on Scotland for growth
An independent financial services company has launched a recruitment drive in Scotland as it continues to grow its client base. The drive forms part of T L Dallas Independent Financial Services Limited’s wider strategy to build on its long-standing connections north of the border. Director, Jane Maclauchlan, who has worked for the firm for 19 years,…
Compliance shake-up by HMRC: which advisers will be caught out?
Government requires local tax advisers to mandatorily register from May if submitting documents to HMRC on behalf of clients. Conveyancing solicitors and payroll teams in Yorkshire are among local professional advisers who may find themselves on the wrong side of the law from May – with penalties of up to £10,000 for compliance breaches. They…
Azets makes hat-trick of top promotions
Azets, a UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm, has strengthened its senior team in Yorkshire with a trio of high-level promotions. In its Leeds office, Ant Hamilton has become a partner in Accounts and Business Advisory Services (ABAS) and Alex Sidebottom has stepped up to associate director in audit. Becky Dawson has been…
Higher labour costs dominate business impact concerns in latest Azets Barometer
Smaller businesses are struggling more than larger companies amid relentless economic challenges and higher labour costs, according to Yorkshire accountants Azets. A business sentiment survey by Azets, the top 10 UK accountancy and business advisory firm with offices in Leeds, Bradford and York, laid bare the issues facing SMEs, which make up the vast majority…
Azets joins trailblazing flood defence project
A UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm in Leeds has thrown its weight behind a trailblazing new community initiative to protect the city from floods. Azets, which has offices in King Street, is a business partner of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC) and has taken on the role of inaugural finance partner. It…
Azets’ five cashflow management tips for SMEs: Monitor and manage Work in Progress
Businesses in Yorkshire are being urged to meticulously track the heartbeat of work in progress throughout its lifecycle. Monitoring, managing and making changes to reduce mission creep, improve efficiencies and maximise cashflow are critical steps which can improve a business’ health and growth prospects, according to a senior finance professional. The advice comes from Matthew…
Major event launched for businesses over payroll and HR crackdown
Businesses in Yorkshire are being urged to attend a free ‘strategic survival summit’ to help them deal with the most significant payroll and HR shake-up in a generation. Azets, a UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm in King Street, Leeds, has joined forces with Leeds Business Growth Service and The Knowledge Exchange (TKE)…
April powers: abolition of tax relief for household expenses for 300,000 people
Employers may be expected to plug the shortfall of up to £124 a year, adding to rising business costs Impacts employees who incur homeworking costs that are not reimbursed by their employer Measure, from Monday, April 6, will particularly affect remote staff if their employer doesn’t have a workplace Around 300,000 people working from home…
AAB appoints Jon Grainger as Chief Operating Officer
Professional services firm, AAB, has announced the appointment of Jon Grainger as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Jonathon will lead AAB’s technology, operations and integration teams, driving the next phase of operational excellence and enabling the firm to embed end-to-end automation capability throughout its business operations. Jon joins AAB at a time of accelerated innovation across the…
Chadwick Lawrence expands into the North East with new Darlington office
Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has opened a new office in Darlington, marking a significant step in the firm’s expansion into the North East. The firm’s ninth office, based in Business Central – just a two-minute walk from Darlington train station – will provide commercial, practical, and supportive legal advice to businesses and individuals across County Durham,…
AAB launches ‘Office of the CFO’ service to support growing businesses with flexible finance leadership
In response to the increasingly complex trading environment for businesses, professional services firm, AAB, has launched a new ‘Office of the CFO’ service designed to give organisations the ability to strengthen their finance leadership and gain clarity in their numbers without the difficulties of recruitment of finance professionals at all levels. Businesses across the UK are facing more challenges than ever before – from inflationary…
Are You Ready for 6 April Changes?
Major changes are on the way that might impact both your income and your business. From Making Tax Digital (MTD), relief reforms and employment law changes – the way you run and reward your business is set to change. Our experts have pulled together what you need to know, what to plan for, and the…
The Secrets of Succession
Part One – Introduction Published research has repeatedly shown that only a very small minority of family businesses survive intact for more than two generations of ownership. But there is, equally, clear evidence that this is not an inevitable outcome and that (not surprisingly) effective planning is the key to success. For example, findings published…
94% of businesses not ready for Making Tax Digital
A UK poll of businesses shows that 94% are not prepared for Making Tax Digital (MTD) which is being introduced from 6 April. Firms were responding to the survey carried out by UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm Azets, which has offices in Leeds, Bradford and York. Fraser Campbell, UK head of accounts…
Schofield Sweeney advises Galleon Tools Group on latest acquisition
Yorkshire-based commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney has advised specialist tools distributor Dormole Limited on the acquisition of the business and assets of Rollins and Sons (London) Ltd, marking the latest step in the group’s strategic growth. A leading supplier and distributor of professional quality hand tools, the acquisition of Rollins and Sons (London) Ltd is…
Chadwick Lawrence strengthens wills and probate team with two new appointments
Northern law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has expanded its wills and probate team with the appointment of solicitors Helena Wong and Tom Grice. Helena Wong joins the firm as a solicitor specialising in probate matters, including taxable and non-taxable estates, as well as wills and lasting powers of attorney. Helena brings a strong blend of…
February 2026 insolvency statistics, Azets response
There were 1,878 corporate insolvencies in February 2026, 7.4% more than in January 2026 (1,749) and 6.8% less than in February 2025 (2,015). Covering the Yorkshire region, Richard Oddy is a partner, licensed insolvency practitioner and business restructuring, turnaround and rescue expert at regional accountancy and business advisory firm Azets, with offices in Leeds, Bradford and York….
Sentio strengthens deal team as market activity picks up
Leeds-based corporate finance firm Sentio Partners has expanded its team, adding depth to its deal delivery capability and continuing its investment in early-career talent as market activity increases. On the back of a strong year with multiple high profile deals across Business Services, Healthcare and Industrials, the firm has appointed Ollie Francis as Assistant Manager…
Henley embarks on new chapter with MBO and acquisition
Henley Construction Management Group (“Henley”), a specialist construction group headquartered in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, has completed a management buyout (MBO) alongside the acquisition of Smart Crosby International (SCI), a leading engineering and consultancy practice. The MBO was completed by long-standing senior team members Tom Cardoe, Jon Henley, Dave Cawley and Jim Wenham. It marks a…
Bradford broker opens Harrogate base to support expansion plans
Family and employee owned insurance firm, TL Dallas, is expanding its footprint in North Yorkshire with a new presence in Harrogate, as the Bradford-headquartered firm continues to invest in regional growth. The long-established insurance broking, risk management and financial services group will operate from premises at 36 Victoria Avenue, placing its team in the centre…
Chadwick Lawrence donates £2,500 to support a number of initiatives this Ramadan
Law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has donated £2,500 to a number of initiatives over Ramadan, as part of its ongoing charitable work. The firm held an Iftar at its Leeds office on 5th March, bringing together colleagues from across its eight West Yorkshire offices to break the fast at sunset. Open to colleagues of all faiths…
Inheritance tax time-bomb is looming – Yorkshire farmers should act now
The fuse is burning down on the government’s inheritance tax (IHT) time-bomb for farmers, UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm Azets in Yorkshire has warned. Under legislation to be introduced by the Finance Act 2026 new restrictions will apply to the amount of Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs available on the estates of farmers…
Andrew Jackson expands litigation and dispute resolution team amid growing client demand
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has expanded its commercial litigation and dispute resolution (LDR) practice with a series of senior appointments, reflecting growing client demand. The developments come as long-standing partner Hugh Smith prepares to retire after 37 years with the firm. Led by Nick Dean, partner, and head of the LDR practice, the team has…
Schofield Sweeney advises on nursery acquisition
A day nursery in Reigate, Surrey has been acquired by Kids Planet Day Nurseries – one of the UK’s largest nursery groups. Established in March 2020, Somers House Nursery, part of Cavendish Lodge Nursery and Pre-Schools, owned by Jodie and Kevin Potter, is a reputable 80-place setting that offers year-round childcare for babies from six…
The traditional tax return is dead – long live Making Tax Digital
Landlords, sole traders and the self-employed in Yorkshire are being urged to prepare for ‘the death of the traditional tax return’ in April. Azets, an accountancy and business advisory group with three offices in Yorkshire, is warning that those with gross income above £50,000 per year will have to comply with a new Making Tax…