New Audit Partner Strengthens

Bishop Fleming’s Growth Ambition

Leading audit, accounting, tax, and advisory firm Bishop Fleming has recruited a new partner as it seeks to build on record-breaking performance last year. Bishop Fleming has welcomed Gary Woodhall as Audit Partner to its Worcester-based team, taking the firm’s overall partnership to 40 for the first time.

The firm’s audit team, which is now led by 15 partners, posted record fee growth of 23% in 2021-2022. And with the addition of a new Cheltenham office in 2022, the firm is now focussing on ambitious growth targets in the Three Counties and West Midlands.

Gary, who brings a wealth of experience from several managing and executive director roles in the Midlands, said: “I am delighted to join Bishop Fleming and excited by the vision that the business has for the future. I am particularly looking forward to working with clients and prospects across the West Midlands. Bishop Fleming is a fantastic opportunity for me to be able to offer my skills and knowledge to clients in an exciting and growing market.”

Bishop Fleming has recently invested in its Worcester base with a significantly refurbished office. With the recent integration of Bespoke Tax Accountants, the firm’s Worcester and Cheltenham offices now have a combined team of nearly 100 people across the three counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire and have plans to increase this headcount further.

Shropdoc has selected EBC Group as their new IT Partner

Shropdoc, a provider of urgent primary care services, has selected Managed Service Provider, EBC Group as their new IT partner. A thorough tender process was carried out in which EBC Group were chosen to help Shropdoc enhance and futureproof their IT infrastructure.

Investments include a modernised IT infrastructure, including pro-active server monitoring and back-up, firewalling and Multi-Factor Authentication.

Mike Bridges, Director of IT at EBC Group comments ‘‘We’re delighted to be chosen as Shropdoc’s new IT provider. We work with a wide range of charities, so understand their unique requirements and the importance of providing them with a fully managed and supported solution from an expert provider.” For more information about EBC Group’s products and services, please contact hello@ebcgroup.co.uk or 0121 585 4400

West Midland RFCA welcomes 1000th Armed Forces Covenant signee

West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are pleased to welcome City of Birmingham Rockets as the 1000th company, within the West Midland RFCA region, to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and pledge their support to the Armed Forces community.

The Armed Forces Covenant was introduced by the Ministry of Defence in 2014 and is used across the country for businesses to pledge their support to the Armed Forces family. The organisations who hold a Covenant recognise the value serving personnel, both Regular and Reserve, veterans and military families contribute to their business and our country.

The City of Birmingham Rockets Basketball Club was founded in 2003 by the Chief Executive Officer, Robert Palmer. The club has a substantial community programme that engages between 800-1,000 young people each week, a performance programme consisting of 16 teams, including men’s, women’s and youth teams, competing nationally; and an educational academy programme which provides elite level basketball in partnership with academic delivery. The club competes in games with teams from across the country and are based at their home court at the Nechells Wellbeing Centre in Birmingham.

Robert Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of City of Birmingham Rockets commented, “We are extremely proud to be the 1000th West

Midlands Armed Forces Covenant signee. This is an extremely special moment for our organisation.”

Companies are continuing to deliver on their pledges of support towards the Armed Forces community. This can be seen in the number of organisations recognised by Defence through the Employer Recognition Scheme. Within our region, there are currently 123 employers who hold a Silver Award and 49 employers who hold the Gold Award.

On behalf of the West Midland RFCA, a sincere thank you to all of the organisations who have now signed the Armed Forces Covenant within our region. If you are yet to sign and would like to find out more please contact the West Midland RFCA Employer Engagement Team on wm-ee@rfca.mod.uk

Say hello to health and wellbeing

Having a wellbeing strategy in place is important for the performance of your business and your people.

Numerous studies have shown that employee wellbeing is linked to greater productivity, motivation and satisfaction. Westfield Health aim to transform people’s mental and physical wellbeing to create happier, healthier employees and more resilient businesses.

Whether that’s mental health support, gym management, health cash plans or wellbeing webinars, Westfield Health will work alongside you to improve your employees’ health and wellbeing.

Chamber Primary Health Plan

Exclusively available to Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber Members, the Chamber Primary Health Plan starts from £6.13 per employee, per month and allows staff to claim money back, up to set limits, for things like sight tests and glasses, dental bills, therapy treatments and consultations. The plan also provides access to a range of valuable health and wellbeing services including:

DoctorLine – Speak to a practising UK GP or clinical pharmacist 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There’s even the option to have a webcam consultation.

24 Hour Advice and Information Line including up to six sessions of structured counselling – Confidential guidance on medical, legal or domestic issues, with online resources.

Expert Medical Opinion/Best Doctors – An expert second medical opinion from a world leading specialist.

Gym Discounts – Discounted memberships at local gyms.

Westfield Rewards – Discounts and special offers at hundreds of retailers, restaurants and destinations.

Find out more by visiting hwchamber.co.uk/support/advice/ protecting-your-business/chamber-primary-health-plan

Moneycorp Services & Benefits

Are you importing, exporting, paying for a service abroad or receiving international funding? Moneycorp are here to help.

How Moneycorp can help Chamber Members:

Exchange more than 120+ currencies

Make payments 24/7 with secure online access

Fast, secure online transactions

Market updates to keep you informed of currency movements

Highly competitive exchange rates whenever you trade

Competitive pricing giving you access to more than 14 liquidity providers

Moneycorp offer great exchange rates sourced through a panel of liquidity providers with funds safeguarded in segregated client bank accounts. You will receive on-going support from a dedicated account manager with the option to arrange deals online or via the phone, and help in managing currency volatility and risks associated with foreign exchange.

Find out more by visiting hwchamber.co.uk/ support/finances/moneycorp