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Rachel Horner is Director of SFB Tax Solutions, part of the SFB Group. She set up the business unit in 2014 in response to a localised need for specialised tax advice.
How did it feel when your name was announced as the winner?
It was a complete surprise. I hadn’t expected it but I was absolutely delighted.
The response I got was lovely. People were very kind and I had plenty of congratulations. It was a really good feeling.
Tell us a little about your career.
I trained with one of the Big Four before going in-house to work for a FTSE Top 50 company, an international hotel group. I then moved back in to practice working with smaller businesses. It meant I had a really wide range of tax experience, from big corporate issues to those facing smaller businesses and their owners.
At the large corporate end you’re doing exciting big ticket, fast paced challenging work while working with owner managers is personal and incredibly satisfying. I love the combination.
Can you tell us a little about your team?
You’re only ever as good as your team and mine is superb. For the size of our firm we have an almost unique level of expertise able to provide really complex tax advice.
What are your ambitions now?
I want to grow the tax practice at SFB. I started with a small advisory team two years ago and we’ve since transformed ourselves into a sizeable practice. I want to continue to grow, taking on more staff and servicing more clients.
I also want to use the tax practice to win more clients for the SFB Group as a whole.
What do you think is the state of the Coventry and Warwickshire economy?
There is plenty of opportunity and we have some great businesses in our region.
Geographically we’re really well placed and have some real advantages over other parts of the country. We don’t have the high costs of the south but can access London easily; it takes us less than an hour to get there already and with HS2 it will get even ‘closer’. We’re also incredibly accessible to other parts of the country.
The biggest barrier we face in my work is perception. Too often people believe they can only get the expertise we offer from London firms. The result is they pay far more than they need to; we can offer it here, with higher levels of service and at far greater value.
What do you do outside work?
I’m a bit of a fitness fanatic. Spending time at the gym is my way of unwinding. I’m also a cinema buff and I love to travel – I always try and make it somewhere exotic!
Larry Coltman is a long-standing and highly respected litigation lawyer with his own Coventry-based practice.
We asked him about his win and his career.
How did it feel when you were recognized for your outstanding contribution?
It was lovely to be recognized in this way; I was very touched.
I’ve been around a long time and putting myself forward is not the sort of thing I tend to do so it was a complete surprise when I discovered I had been nominated by Louise Bennett.
Can you tell us a little about your career?
I came to Coventry to work with Warner Cranston, where I built up a full service office before we merged with a US practice in 2001 to become Reed Smith. When the practice moved to Solihull, we became Hill Hofstetter and I retained the debt recovery business in Coventry as Coltman Warner Cranston LLP.
I was President of the Chamber for two years, have been a governor of Coventry University and am now a governor of Coventry University College.
What’s your view of the local economy?
Brexit definitely has implications for our region, perhaps particularly JLR and its supply chain. Jaguars and Land Rovers are great cars and a lot are sold into the EU – I hope that continues to be the case.
I’m Chair of the Stratford and South Warwickshire Branch of the Chamber so I know many businesses, particularly those in the leisure, care and agriculture sectors are heavily dependent on migrant workers and are now concerned.
There are implications for my business too. Part of my practice relates to EU-related commercial agency work so there will definitely be some change and in the face of a recession businesses are cautious about extending credit so debt recovery work tightens. We are going to have to be flexible and adapt as our exit is negotiated and the situation evolves.
I’m perhaps a little pessimistic at the moment, but very much hoping I’m proved wrong.
You obviously have a number of roles around the region?
I’ve had a very good life so I think it’s particularly important to put something back.
There is a desperate need in the voluntary sector for all sorts of skills. The boards I’m on have a large number of new retirees; it’s a great way to bring your experience and skills to bear where they are really needed.
I’m also on the board of the Chamber and the board of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management. Fresh blood is crucial though so I’m always advocating new members join.
How do you unwind?
I used to run until last year, when my knees gave out training for the London Marathon.
I couldn’t do anything so took up cycling last March and now love it; 75-100 miles at a weekend isn’t unusual!
Business Development Director at Santander Corporate & Commercial, Ravinder Bagri has worked tirelessly to promote the bank’s commercial business offering, engaging with ambitious SME’s across Coventry & Warwickshire to help fuel their domestic and international growth aspirations.
Well-known, liked and respected within the West Midlands’ business networks, he was a natural winner of FirstPro Banking Professional.
We asked him how it felt to be named the winner of his category.
It was a mix of emotions – shock, surprise, excitement – but the overwhelming feeling was of being privileged and honoured, first to be nominated and then to have won.
What did your friends, family and colleagues say?
It’s been phenomenal. My friends and family were very proud and within Santander I was called and congratulated by members of the senior management team.
I posted the win on LinkedIn and Twitter and had a really positive response – there were lots of Likes and comments.
I was also really pleased with the profile the bank and our Corporate Business Centre in Coventry received from the win. It was good news for everyone!
Tell us a little about your career to date.
I’ve been in banking for over 27 years; first with the Nationwide Building Society for 25 years and Santander for the past 2½ years.
I joined Santander as Business Development Director covering Coventry and Warwickshire. My patch is now the Central Midlands, which includes Birmingham. I’ve loved developing my patch, constructing my own networks and moving into new markets.
Which are your proudest achievements?
I’m incredibly proud of winning FirstPro Banking Professional of the Year. It’s a high profile award and I feel honoured to have been nominated and then selected.
I’m also very proud of some of the things I’ve achieved in my day-to-day role. While at the Nationwide I set up a new business area, putting together the marketing strategy and building the team. Within 18 months we’d exceeded our targets and then won the Nationwide Building Society team of the year!
In Santander I was really pleased when they asked me to take on an extended geography. It was a testament of their confidence in me.
Where are you going from here?
I would like to develop an international role next, capitalizing on Santander’s European and global presence. The role doesn’t actually exist but I’m working on persuading my senior managers!
I don’t believe you should be put off by something as simple as the job not existing! If you’ve got a good idea you should develop it and put together a compelling business case.
And what’s your opinion of the regional economy?
We might be dealing with a lot of uncertainty right now but it’s important to remember the region itself has always been pretty robust.
We have some strong growing sectors, for example manufacturing, automotive, and advanced engineering and there has been a lot of Chinese investment coming into Coventry and Warwickshire in the past 12 months, which shows others are interested in our capabilities. I believe we will adapt to the new world outside the European Union and so am cautiously optimistic.
Do you have other roles in the region?
As a Sikh, making a contribution to the local community is very important to me so I get involved in a number of different things, including mentoring students at the Grace Academy and at the University.
How do you unwind?
I play golf, travel and of course love socialising with my family and friends.
Emma is an outstanding contributor to Shakespeare Martineau, her team and the community. She has climbed the ladder to partnership through hard work and a unique approach, bringing to bear her previous career experience working for a property investment company in Australia and then in the sales team of a leading Midlands Housing Association.
We asked her how it felt to win.
I was absolutely over the moon. It’s always lovely to be recognised isn’t it!
I’m not a solicitor, so my path to partnership has been different to that of most people, which makes it particularly sweet to have won this award. This award helps to show graduates and LPC students there are different routes to the top and all they need is hard word and determination and they can then opt for the path which suits them best.
How did people react to your win?
I’ve had some really great feedback; my inbox was full of congratulatory emails the morning after the Gala Dinner.
As well as being delighted with the award myself, it’s also a brilliant way to promote Coventry and Warwickshire and showcase the talent here.
You said your route to partnership was unusual. Can you tell us a little about your career path?
Eager to start work straight from school I completed a Business and Finance Apprenticeship before joining a leading Midlands Housing Association. Like lots of young people, I wanted to save the world and work within a not-for-profit sector. Many opportunities came my way and I was fortunate enough to work in Sales, Retirement Housing and later for the Executive Board and Chief Executive.
Many years later and after working in Australia I joined a local Coventry law firm, Newsome Vaughan who had just won their first Housing Association client. I joined at a junior level and the firm supported me within my studies. I worked my way up to Operations Manager, Associate then Partner, accredited by the Solicitors’ Regulatory Authority and the Law Society, as required for a non-lawyer who manage lawyers.
I am now a Partner with Shakespeare Martineau, Head of Sales for the Social Housing Team and we are market leaders in our sector. I am incredibly grateful to Louise Drew and Paul Saunders, both of whom I have worked with now for 17 years. They recruited me at Newsome Vaughan in 1999, saw the potential and gave me the opportunities I needed to blossom.
Which are your proudest achievements?
My best achievements are my three children and juggling work, my love of charity work and not forgetting my dog Roobarb, the chickens and a very supportive husband.
Where do you want your career to go from here?
I love working for Shakespeare Martineau. We have lots of great initiatives, like our in-house Academy, which supports the development of our own talent.
I want to stay with this firm and grow our social housing team to be the best in the country.
What would you say to the next generation?
We need to promote Coventry and Warwickshire to them. It’s easy to be seduced by the bright lights of Birmingham and London but you don’t need to leave our patch to have a great career. This region is perfect for combining a successful and interesting career.
How do you unwind?
Getting mental down time is important. I run at lunchtimes, kick box and go to the gym a couple of times a week. And of course I have to walk the dog and clean out the chickens!
July’s First Friday was a delicious high tea followed by a tour of the facilities at the Heart of England Conference Centre, which included a little clay pigeon shooting for some members.
This was the message of Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority, who addressed a full house at the Belgrade at our quarterly economic breakfast.
Presenting the WMCA’s Strategic Economic Plan Martin spoke of Coventry and Warwickshire’s ambition to double the region’s output, beating the national average within ten years. He highlighted the complex challenge of improving productivity, which must be tackled to support the region’s growth and make sure that growth benefits those who live and work in the area.
Pictured Martin Reeves and Andrew Smith, Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs & Regeneration addressed our First Friday, held at the Charterhouse.
His message was positive and his stance supportive of business. Businesses create jobs and wealth he said, and while the City Council does not have all the answers it can support the growth of local companies.
He also argued Coventry needs to shout about its strengths and is keen to develop a marketing strategy for the city.
It’s easy to see why Jenny Simpson, of SFB Group won FirstPro 2016.
At just 23 years old she is already a fully qualified Chartered Accountant, with her own portfolio of clients and responsibility for the firm’s Coventry Office. She also finds time to run her local Brownie pack and right now can’t resist being part of the team establishing a new Guides unit.
We talked to Jenny to get an insight into the DNA of a FirstPro winner.
What did it feel like to win FirstPro 2016?
I know everyone on the shortlist for Young Professional of the Year so I knew the field was strong. It was really exciting when my name was read out.
If I’m honest I wasn’t really listening when they announced the overall winner. I was still on a high from winning my category and it never occurred to me I might also win the overall award. I was completely stunned!
What has been the response to your success?
People have been really lovely.
I’ve had lots of congratulatory emails from the Coventry & Warwickshire First network, colleague and clients.
What motivates you?
I love helping my clients with their business.
One had never had the conversation about his plans and ambitions. He had never been asked what he wanted from life. What did he want to get out of the business? What income did he want? When would he like to retire? Would he like to pass on the business to a family member?
These questions go a long way beyond completing the accounts, but with the answers we can help him plan to get the outcome he wants.
This approach really excites me.
Most people are just beginning to think about their career at your age but you’re already running a team. How have you achieved so much, so quickly?
When I was 15 I got a holiday job in an office and loved the atmosphere. Immediately I just wanted to get into the working world and get on with my career.
I was considering starting A ‘levels and there was pressure from some for me to go to university as this seemed the ‘norm’. But I didn’t want the debt and with the support of my parents I got my way. I left school at 16, came to SFB and started studying for the Association of Accounting Technician qualifications at CWT. I’d always loved Maths so accountancy seemed natural.
After three years of day release I qualified and got straight on with my Chartered Accountancy exams.
Every step of the way I’ve been working with clients, giving me the chance to apply the knowledge and see the impact I can make on real businesses.
You’re running the SFB Coventry office. What are your plans?
I want to grow SFB’s presence in the city; I want us to be at the heart of the business community.
What’s it like running a team at your age?
I suppose age is just a number. It’s whether or not you’re good at your job that counts.
I’ve had plenty of encouragement at SFB and all sorts of great opportunities. I want to do the same for my team and really enjoy the coaching and mentoring side of team leadership.
How do you unwind?
I believe you should give something back to your community so I spend a lot of my time outside of work running my Brownies unit.
I love arts and crafts and the girls in the pack enjoy having a younger leader. It’s always great fun and very rewarding.
I’m getting involved in starting up a new Guide unit at the moment with the view to handing it over to others to run in the long term.
Finally what are you aspirations for the future?
Right now my focus is on my career. I want to help my clients get the really valuable, proactive business advice they need.
Often the smaller clients are unaware of the range of services on offer and the difference they can make to their operations.
And yes, I do want to be a partner in the business; I’m aiming to get there by the time I’m 30!
Coventry and Warwickshire’s professionals raised £2,900 for the Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation (COBF).
The region’s professional services experts donated £1,450 at Coventry & Warwickshire First FirstPro Awards, a sum generously match funded by Barclays Bank plc.
“We’re very grateful for this incredibly generous donation,” said Alison Irving – Trustee and Company Secretary at COBF. “Nobody likes to talk about their bladder, but when things are wrong, talking to someone with knowledge, understanding and caring is exactly what you need. We have been offering sufferers help and advice for the past twenty years. This generous donation means we can offer support to even more people dealing with this challenging issue.”
The region’s professionals raised a further £1,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). JDRF funds research into type 1 diabetes with the goal of finding a cure, treating and preventing type 1 diabetes.
An award for individuals, FirstPro recognises exceptional professionals and showcases the depth and breadth of talent within the region.
Jenny Simpson, a client manager at Stewart Fletcher Barrett who carried the Olympic Torch in 2012 in recognition of her contribution to the local community, was named the FirstPro 2016.
Run by its members for its members Coventry & Warwickshire First is the only forum exclusively for professional and financial services firms in the region. Its members advise and support businesses from entrepreneurial start-ups to family firms and global organisations.
The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder (COB) Foundation gives support to people with all forms of cystitis, overactive bladder and continence issues together with their families and friends. It is the largest bladder patient support charity in the UK. It has the busiest message board forum in Europe, an the a widely used website and a confidential Advice Line for those bladder illness sufferers seeking information, help and support.
www.coventryfirst.co.uk
www.jdrf.org.uk
Jenny Simpson, who carried the Olympic Torch in 2012 in regcognition of her contribution to the local community has just received another accolade, this time for her professional contribution. A client manager at Stewart Fletcher & Barrett, Jenny was named FirstPro 2016 at a gala dinner held last night at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
FirstPro is run by Coventry & Warwickshire First, the only membership organisation to exclusively represent the interests of the region’s professional services sector. An award for individuals, FirstPro recognises exceptional professionals and showcases the depth and breadth of talent within the region.
Winner of the Young Professional category, Jenny beat tough competition from Coventry and Warwickshire’s leading professionals to secure the title.
“Jenny is a talented and driven young woman,” said Andrew Smith, Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First and Partner at Shakespeare Martineau. “Last year was a big year for her. At just 22 she passed her professional exams and was immediately promoted to Client Manager. She now manages a team of four, looks after nearly 200 clients and showed a strong track record of going the extra mile for her clients.
“She also finds time to contribute to her local community. She runs her local Brownie unit and has served as a parish councillor, her contribution being recognised in 2012 when she was selected to carry the Olympic torch.
“Jenny embodies the approach we value. With Jenny and colleagues like her I’m confident our sector is in safe hands!”
This year the competition was incredibly tough. The judges selected the finalists from over 80 nominations, more than ever before and then interviewed each before selecting the winners.
Nominees are assessed against three criteria: performance at work; their contribution to Coventry and Warwickshire; and the intangible x-factor.
The category winners are:
Legal Professional: Emma Gamble, Shakespeare Martineau
Finance Professional: Rachel Horner, SFB Tax Solutions Limited
Banking Professional: Ravinder Bagri: Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking
Property Professional: Paul Rice, Wright Hassall
Business Services Professional: Phil Ewing, Harrison Beale & Owen
Young Professional: Jenny Simpson, Stewart Fletcher & Barrett
Highly Commended
Legal Professional: Jeremy Hyde, Wright Hassall and Hannah Bates, Shakespeare Martineau
Young Professional: Chrissie Elliot-Duxson, University of Warwick
An outstanding contribution
Three individuals nominated this year were deemed by the judges to have made an Outstanding Contribution to the professional services sector in Coventry and Warwickshire and to the region’s wider business community.
The individuals singled out for this honour were:
Adam Dent, co-founder and managing director of Advent Communications;
Larry Coltman of Coltman & Co, his own highly respected litigation legal practice; and
Richard Hardy, founding partner of Bromwich Hardy and one of the most experienced chartered surveyors in the region.