Midcheshire Independent Issue 192

MAY/JUNE 2026 18 FIFTEEN jobs are being created at the Stock- port office of Azets as it becomes a Making Tax Digital hub for businesses and individuals. The UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firmsaid the roles were needed following the recent implementation of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax by HMRC. Landlords, sole traders and the self-employed with a gross income above £50,000 per year must comply with the MTD roll-out. From next April those with a gross income of £30,000 fall into scope and, from April 2028, those with a gross income of £20,000-plus. Susanna Cassey, Azets regional managing director, said: “Our Stockport office is becoming an MTD hub for businesses and individuals as we support them with the HMRC compliance regime, which includes keeping digital records, using MTD-compat- ible software and submitting quarterly updates, as well as a final declaration. “A recent online poll of business in the UK by Azets showed that most companies are not prepared for MTD, even though it is an opera- tional reality from now for those with qualifying income of above £50,000. “With the roll-out, and demand from clients, we have job vacancies for 15 people in relation to MTD.” The new staff will join a fast-growing office of more than 100 people which sup- ports the firm’s other opera- tions across the North West. Independent BUSINESS PARTNER Ben Brad- ley has been appointed head of Hurst Corporate Finance -succeeding long-serving Nigel Barratt in a planned transition. Nigel, who has led the cor- porate finance team at the Stockport headquartered accountancy firm since 2007, will continue to be a senior partner, supporting Ben and providing strategic advice to clients. Ben joined the firm as a graduate trainee in 2011 after a 12-month university placement. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 2014 while working in the business services team, before joining Hurst Corporate Finance in 2015. He progressed through the ranks, becoming a part- ner in 2023 and joining the Hurst board. Ben has advised on a broad range of transactions, typically up to £50million in value, with experience on a number of deals topping £100m. These include com- pany sales and acquisitions, management buyouts and private equity investments, along with debt and growth capital fundraising. In his new role, Ben leads a team of M&A experts advis- ing owner-managed compa- nies and entrepreneurs across the UK, supported by the wider firm’s business services, tax and digital teams. Hurst managing part- ner Tim Potter said: “I’m delighted that Ben has achieved this great step in his career, and I’m looking forward to working along- side him as he continues to build the Hurst Corporate Finance team. “Nigel has delivered a ter- rific performance over many years, and I’m grateful to him for all he has achieved. He now transitions to a senior role, remaining in corporate finance while also working within the senior leadership team to deliver the firm’s strategy.” Hurst last year unveiled plans to double in size to become a £20m turnover prac- tice in 2028, underpinned by an expanding national client base, extensive recruitment and new service lines, along- side a multimillion-pound investment in technology. The Stockport-head- quartered practice recently became part of the Dains Group, a national account- ancy and business advisory firm with 30 locations across the UK and Ireland, further strengthening its resources and expertise for clients in the UK and internationally. Ben said: “Having joined Hurst as a graduate, it’s incredibly rewarding to now lead the corporate finance team. “We have built a strong team and reputation over the years, and I’m looking forward RED tape, rising costs and complex rules are pushing small firms out of EUmarkets, according to new research. A report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed that three in ten (34 per cent) of SME traders expect to reduce or stop EU trade altogether if current rules don’t change. Meanwhile, five in ten (45 per cent) expect to maintain current trading levels and fewer than one in ten (six per cent) see an opportunity to grow trade with the EUunder the existing arrangements. The FSB says that is because paperwork is mak- ing EU trade harder to jus- tify, with one small business reporting spending more than half of its time on trade admin alone. Compliance costs are also eating into margins, with over a third facing expenses of more than £5,000 a year. Disruption at the border is common, with firms report- ing goods being turned away or held up, resulting in unpredictable delivery times and damage to cus- tomer relationships. The report also shows that six in ten small firms trading with the EUhave faced signif- icant barriers. These include taking equipment overseas when travelling for work and different regulations between the UK and the EU. Of those importing and exporting goods, 85 per cent reported problems – most commonly with customs doc- umentation, physical inspec- tions and product marking and labelling rules. Elsewhere, VAT is proving a major stumbling block, with 75 per cent of small firms that have engaged with EU VAT systems reporting significant difficulties and 41 per cent saying they have not been able to find clear guidance. The FSB is now calling for ‘urgent action’ to make trad- ing with the EU easier and more attractive. It wants to see mutual rec- ognition of product standards between the EU and the UK – which 31 per cent of small firms think would benefit their business. The organisation is also calling for a single digital customs system so busi- nesses only have to submit paperwork once, instead of repeating the same informa- tion over multiple forms. And it says a new UK-EU de minimis (low-value trade) deal would cut costs on small parcel shipments, so firms can sell into the EU without being hit by duties and fees on every order. Its wish-list also includes delivering the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) trade deal for food and plants by mid-2027 to remove bor- der checks and paperwork, speeding up deliveries and reducing delays for exporters. The FSB wants to see export grants of up to £2,000 to help small firms cover the upfront costs of entering new markets and the scrapping of EU requirements for ‘costly’ VAT middlemen so UK firms can sell into the EU without paying for local representa- tives to handle their tax. FSB policy chair Tina McKenzie said: “With growth Let’s cut the red tape! DIGITAL Cheshire has marked a major mile- stone, having supported more than 400 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with special- ist masterclasses. Designed to help local com- panies embrace new technol- ogies with confidence, the masterclass programme has brought together leading industry experts to share insight on the latest digi- tal trends, tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innova- tions shaping modern busi- ness growth. From digital marketing and e-commerce to migrat- ing to cloud solutions and driving AI adoption, each session has equipped busi- ness owners with practical knowledge to take their next step in an increasingly digi- tal economy. Over the two-year period, the masterclass series has educated businesses by pro- viding up-to-date insight into emerging technologies and digital developments, while informing SME leaders about the tools, techniques, and trends that can enhance efficiency and improve com- petitiveness through practi- cal implementation. Mick Warren, who chairs Cheshire East Council’s econ- omy and growth committee, said: “Supporting local busi- nesses to navigate the digital world is essential. This pro- gramme builds confidence among SME by offering prac- tical, tailored guidance that helps them make informed decisions, overcome barriers and take meaningful steps in their digital journey. “By improving connectivity and digital skills, it enables businesses to grow, innovate and reach new markets.” Wayne Bagnall, who runs a specialist asbestos and demo- lition consultancy and train- ing company, has attended several of Digital Chesh- ire’s masterclasses. He said: “Thanks to these classes, I’m much more con- fident using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and social media to generate cus- tomer enquiries and build awareness of my company and what we do. “AI is undoubtedly chang- ing how people do business. Thanks to the Microsoft masterclass, I know how to use AI to perform tasks like producing complex reports. It frees up time to concentrate on being strategic, helping my business innovate further. It’s not just about learning new skills. “The masterclasses have been a great way of getting to know other business own- ers like myself and cementing myself in the Cheshire busi- ness network. I look forward to the future sessions.” Helping to master AI Ben’s rise up the ranks Digital tax move creates jobs Support: Susanna Cassey Leadership role: Ben Bradley at the top of the agenda, now is the time to get EU trade working for small firms. Small firms are not short of ambition but they’re being worn down by a system that feels stacked against them. Many want to grow into EU markets, but don’t have time to be swallowed by paper- work, creeping costs and delays that put hard-won cus- tomer relationships at risk. “The EU should be a nat- ural market for our small firms as it’s so close and accessible. When it works, it opens doors, drives growth and helps businesses thrive. For some firms, those EU orders are what keep things going when it’s slow at home. “The demand is there and the opportunity is clear, so it’s a frustrating shame that many are currently question- ing whether it’s even worth the effort at all. “When sending a small order costs more than its worth, or a delay risks losing a customer, something has gone wrong. “This isn’t complicated – a de minimis deal, an SPS agreement, simpler VAT rules and our other recom- mendations could unlock so much potential. They would take pressure off small firms and give them the breathing space they need to grow.” to taking that to the next level with the backing of Dains’ national presence, which gives us a real opportunity to expand our reach and support more ambitious businesses on their growth journeys. “I’m extremely grateful to Nigel for his leadership and support over the years. The knowledge and experience he has shared with me have been invaluable, and I’m excited to build on what he has achieved as we take the team into its next phase.” Susanna added: “MTD is the most significant overhaul of the tax system since the introduction of self-assessment decades ago and it is clear from the Azets poll, and what we are hearing on the ground, that a lot of people, such as landlords and trades, will require profes- sional support in completing compliant returns. In turn, this is creating job opportu- nities for talented people here in Stockport.”