Over the past 20 years, I have very much enjoyed my role as Audit and Advisory Partner at MHA in this region and I am passionate about the success of the firm, our clients and also the wider community.
Having acted for transport and warehousing clients for a large part of my career to date, I have headed up the firm’s transport sector group in recent years, driving this important part of the business forward.
This year has seen some significant transport businesses choosing MHA as auditors and tax advisors, many of which are owner managed and located in this region. As a firm we are also delighted to welcome one of the largest national bus and coach operators as a new audit client after being successful in a rigorous tender process.
A key enduring partnership locally has been the sponsorship of the Northamptonshire Logistics Awards which the firm has been delighted to support from the start. This year we are again Headline Sponsors and looking forward to the ceremony on October 11 at at the Northampton Town Centre Hotel.
Over the years of our involvement, we have attended many of the regular Northamptonshire Logistics Forum meetings run by Charlotte Patrick, providing specialist speakers on key issues affecting the sector. In addition, we have been an active part of the judging panel for the awards each year and we are always reminded that this sector is all about the people, not just large warehouses and lorries, that are often first in people’s minds.
Our approach to advising clients in this area is, as always, a mixture of deep understanding of the businesses plans and shareholders’ goals, coupled with access to relevant experts as required. This is underpinned by the trust built up by years of consistent delivery.
Due to the significant levels of capital invested – whether vehicles, machinery or warehousing, let alone working capital, it has been no surprise that our specialist Banking & Finance division and our Corporate Finance team have always been actively involved. These teams have supported clients with requirements from asset finance and invoice finance, through to full scale re- banking exercises connected to funding shareholder exits. The careful management of cash flow and appropriate structuring of company debt is even more important in this sector than many others.
Regarding capital expenditure we ensure our clients attract maximum tax relief wherever possible. Whether it’s capital allowances connected to efficient lighting schemes or heating and cooling systems, or R&D tax breaks on developing technological advancements, our experienced tax advisors are on hand, led by our resident Tax Partners Rachel Nutt and Nathan Sutcliffe. This year we have been advising on tax treatments around significant site development and building refurbishment programs.
Another area of advice often required is around VAT and Duty, whether it be for the client themselves or their own international customers that they are supporting here in the UK. Our VAT Partner Alison Horner has advised on high value commercial property transactions, and Andrew Thurston is our in-house Duty specialist advising on supply chains.
Wherever your business is located, we would be delighted to discuss how we could advise and support.
Contact Adam Young at Adam.young@mhllp.co.uk or visit www.mha.co.uk
