Member News

Gemma scores a major promotion at HWB

Senior Tax Manager Gemma Hedges has been promoted to Associate Director at HWB.

The new position recognises the positive impact Gemma has made since joining the Hampshire based accountancy firm in January 2020 and underlines the company’s continued growth.

CTA qualified, a member of STEP (Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners) and a licenced probate practitioner, Gemma specialises in owner managed businesses, covering everything from corporate restructuring, SDLT and capital gains tax, tax disputes and enquiries to inheritance tax, succession planning, trusts and estates.

She was previously employed at two leading UK firms and has more than 15 years’ experience in tax and private client management in particular.

Gemma said: “As well as continuing to support the needs of our personal and corporate clients, the promotion means I can also be more involved in the running of our business and can

MD Geoff Rhodes congratulates Gemma Hedges, Associate Director at HWB.

have a say in the strategies we adopt.”

Away from the office Gemma enjoys making the most of the beautiful New Forest area she lives in with husband Dan and seven-year-old daughter Evie. The family enjoy waterfront walks along the south coast and clifftop hikes around the Cornish coastline, when they return to visit Gemma’s family home, near Bude.

Welcoming Gemma to the executive team, Geoff Rhodes, Managing Director at HWB, said: “We have been impressed by the expertise and commitment Gemma has shown since joining us in 2020 and this promotion is in recognition of that.

“We look forward to Gemma contributing to the future shaping of HWB as we continue to grow.”

Planning the office Christmas Party can be MURDER...

...especially this year, when staff could still be working from home or having to isolate at a moment’s notice. Happily the MurderedforMoney team have a plan to save the Christmas Party. And they’re willing to sacrifice one of their own to achieve it!

MurderedforMoney (M4M) is a theatrical company and teambuilding consultancy run by Bridget Wilkinson, a former HR Director and Fellow of the CIPD. During lockdown M4M ran online murder mystery events (incorporating live interrogations via Zoom) that attracted audiences from around the world and saw them ranked among the Telegraph’s Top 20 UK lockdown entertainments. The Christmas 2020 events (Mistletoe & Murder and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder) were especially popular, enabling dispersed families and friends to enjoy the thrill of an entertaining whodunnit together. While venues are now opening up, M4M’s online experience provides bookers with the certainty that, whatever happens, the show will go on. Because if circumstances change, and a live booking is no longer viable, the entire event can move online without losing any of the party atmosphere.

Bridget says, “Our teambuilding mysteries enable teams to brush up their problem-solving and communication skills and have fun along the way. But once Christmas arrives we’re ALL about the fun. And after the anxiety of the last 16 months I can’t think of a better way to reward the troops than with an evening of lighthearted mystery and merriment.”

December slots go quickly so contact us today to check availability! Email bridget@murderedformoney.co.uk or visit www.murderedformoney.co.uk.

PR team grows into new Segensworth location

‘Hello Southampton’ gets more funding and needs volunteers for check-in calls to vulnerable

Public relations and social media agency Briscoe PR has relocated and added new faces to the team as a result of new client growth.

The team, headed by Kevin Briscoe, recently moved from its former location at Universal Marina at Sarisbury Green and is now based at Lancaster Court in Segensworth.

New faces in the team include Dom Wallis, who has joined the Briscoe PR team as head of social, digital and brand. He was previously at air traffic control company NATS.

Rachel Mole is also new to the team as a junior account executive. Rachel was student of the year on the PR course at Southampton Solent University before joining the Briscoe PR team.

Charlotte Kennedy Scott has also joined Briscoe PR as a junior account executive.

Kevin Briscoe said: “Adding Dom, Rachel and Charlotte to the team has given us greater strength in depth and provides a whole new range of resources and skills for our clients.”

Cash boost for arts and crafts business

Rob Sowden, innovation tax incentives consultant, reports that a business has received considerable funding support from the government: “This family owned business manufactures materials for the arts and crafts DIY market and has received £170k cashback over six years via the government’s Research & Development (R&D) tax credits scheme.

“My advice to businesses is, don’t try and guess if you are eligible; obtain a free technical check. If your accountant offers to do the claim, they will likely ask you to produce the technical report, which is time consuming and complicated. If you have received benefit under the scheme, get it checked out as to whether you have received maximum entitlement as you can claim any shortfall for the past two years.”

Business Cash Enabler provides a free service to businesses to check eligibility for innovation tax incentives.

For more information visit: www.businesscashenabler.co.uk.

A SOUTHAMPTON charity dedicated to eradicating loneliness has received funding from Virgin Media O2’s Together Fund to continue providing its vital services in the community (July 2021).

Communicare’s ‘Hello Southampton’ initiative offers regular scheduled phone calls to isolated or vulnerable people to checkin on their wellbeing.

The charity’s Manager, Annie Clewlow, says: “We are very lucky to have received this funding from the Together Fund. Its backing is invaluable to us and their mission to help charities that champion and celebrate unique community spirit, belonging and togetherness, is at the heart of what we do.

“With this extra boost we’re able to continue providing our services to those who need us, as many people still need support as we emerge from restrictions or are continuing to isolate. We’re now calling for kind-hearted people from all walks of life to sign-up and volunteer to help build a more connected and resilient Southampton.” www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.