Simon Read of Accountants for Sale has a great summer coming up!

It’s July which is the second summer month and one which has a real sporty feel – including the Wimbledon, British Open Golf and the Tour de France!

Today we’re talking to Simon Read. Simon Read is the Malmesbury-based Managing Director of Accountants For Sale & Financial Careers Ltd. Accountants For Sale is a newly established specialist business broker helping Accountants who are looking to sell their businesses, and those firms who are looking to grow through carefully targeted acquisition. Financial Careers is a specialist recruiter working within the finance and financial services industries covering roles across the UK.

What are your plans for July in your business?
July is a busy month for us as we enter the summer holiday period with many candidates starting to consider their current roles and clients reassessing their business plans and recruitment needs for the 2nd half of 2024. Accountants For Sale is also busy with a large number of buyers actively looking for quality firms to acquire. 

What are your personal plans for this month?
Like most of us, I love the summer and the long days although the weather so far has been a disappointment. 

Do you like sport – and if so do any sporting tournaments or events stand out for you this month or coming up? Do you engage in any sports you’d like to mention? Are you a member of a local team at all?
I am a massive sports fan so the summer is always brilliant with golf, cricket, Formula 1 and of course, we have the Olympics to look forward to in Paris. Hopefully TeamGB will do well! I love my golf and the gym. I need my regular fix of endorphins!   

On a much lighter note – July 17 is World Emoji Day and this often trends on social media. What do you think of emojis? Do you use them?
I do use emojis much to my daughter's amusement who seem to find it funny that an older person is using them! There should be one for Lateness! Or being Untidy!

Can you name one business you’d like to give a summer shout out too?
Who has gone the extra mile for you recently?
I would like to give a shout out to the two brilliant networking groups I belong to and where I get to meet so many great people and new connections that can help my businesses. https://cotswoldnetworking.co.uk/ and Fore Business which is golf with networking! https://www.fore-business.com/

As a consumer have you visited a local business, bought their products or services and thought ‘I must recommend them’! What business would you recommend this summer?
I really enjoy the Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury they have made so many improvements in the past year or so and it’s a great place for meetings or a drink or dinner https://www.oldbellhotel.co.uk/

The other great independent café and restaurant is Roots and Seeds on the Bathurst estate in Cirencester which is also great for meetings. https://rootsandseedskitchengarden.co.uk/  

Have you got any events planned for the coming months which you’d like to mention – where you and/or your business will take a leading role?
I am hosting a webinar on the 9th July which will be available on catch up with leading Law Firm Ramsdens The webinar is designed specifically for accountants looking to buy or sell their practice. It will guide you through some of the critical elements to consider when acquiring or selling accountancy businesses.

If relevant, would you like to say anything about the General Election and how it might/might not impact on the world of business? 
The impact of UK election results on businesses is hard to judge but after the chaos and instability of the past few years, some stability will be welcome.  Will the economic policies be pro-business it is hard to say. It is unlikely we will see lower taxes or deregulation and changing employment laws and the influence of unions could be a big factor with employers. Brexit and trade will doubtless be on the table and we might see some improvement in relations with the EU and some changes. The environment and push for green energy vs. fossil fuels will create opportunities however this might be offset by losses elsewhere. Hopefully interest rates will fall soon and this will help with investment and give consumers more disposable income.

Anything else you’d like to say?
I have recently taken on the role of presenting the Business Forum show on Cotswolds radio which is on the 2nd Thursday of every month between 12 and 2.00pm so far it's been great fun and we have lots of great guests and local business owners booked to come on and tell the listeners all about themselves and their businesses. You can listen via the Cotswolds Radio app and on Alexa.

For more information visit https://accountantsforsale.co.uk/ or https://www.financialcareersltd.co.uk/