Financial experts, fuelling ambition
“ By growing, we can help more clients to thrive, offer more career opportunities to our people, and make a greater contribution to our community.”
Welcome
Welcome to another packed newsletter, looking back at the past couple of months and the amazing things which have been going on around the firm.
Many of you will probably have worked out by now that I tend to live in the future. I’m excited by opportunities, and I draw my energy from the vision of what we could be. As you might imagine then, I love the growth trees that have sprung up around the offices since Katie’s session at the Away Day, full of people’s hopes and dreams of what they personally want for the year to come. Surprisingly though, when it came to writing something on my own postcard I couldn’t think of anything at all. I could fill a hundred postcards with ideas for Old Mill, things the teams would like to do, stuff we can do with Kinbrook, but something that I want? Erm… pass. To be honest, my personal goal for the year should probably be to have a personal goal for the year, but I am an unashamed Excel geek and the circular reference troubles me!
Lovely as the future is (and it is going to be great!) there are lots of great things happening in the present and the recent past. The Leadership Development Programme, which was first talked about at the last Away Day, is now live and the first cohort is featured on page 11. We’ve celebrated successes, achievements, awards and anniversaries. Our content and publications go from strength to strength, with new brochures and our annual milk survey published. And how good does this newsletter look!
As I write, we’re soon to embark on a new chapter in the Old Mill journey as we join the Kinbrook Group and gain access to its resources to help us be even more successful. We wouldn’t have the opportunity to do this without you, our amazing people, and all that you have achieved to make Old Mill a firm that an investor wants to be part of. So, from me, the board and all the shareholders, a huge thank you to everyone.
Mark Neath CEO
Company news
Christmas Party reminder
As a reminder, our Christmas Party will this year take place at Haynes Motor Museum on Friday 12 December.
• It will be a private/exclusive party rather than having to share the venue with others
• Accommodation is available close by and in Yeovil
We hope to see you all there!
Sarah Ditch Executive Assistant
Old Mill named among top 100 financial advisers
We’re delighted to be listed amongst the nation’s best financial advisers for a second consecutive year within the Financial Times FT Adviser Top 100 Financial Advisers.
This award is testament to our incredible team’s work ethic and drive to provide expert advice to our clients across the South West.
We could not be prouder of you and your teamwork which have made this achievement possible.
Duncan Parkes Head of Wealth Management
Operations
CRM System Update – CURO to Ratio
In the past few months, IT has been reviewing and enhancing our CRM system, CURO, which currently serves as both the Financial Planning (FP) back-office and group CRM. To improve efficiency and usability, IT is introducing an upgraded version of CURO for the FP team and a simplified version called Ratio for the wider group, tailored to the wider group’s CRM needs and removing FP specific elements.
Key dates:
CURO becomes read-only: End of day Thursday 20 November 2025
Ratio goes live: Monday 1 December 2025
Any updates made in CURO after 20 November won’t be migrated. If you need critical changes made to ensure data flows to CCH, please contact Gemma Cocks or Emily Elliott, who will manage this via a controlled process. Please only use this if absolutely necessary. In FP, please speak with Matt Clark in the first instance.
Role-specific training sessions will begin Monday 10 November. You’ll receive invites to relevant sessions, which will also be recorded for flexible viewing. Live attendance is encouraged.
Ratio will initially be rolled out to those who manage client records. Wider use may follow after tax return season and Kinbrook’s CRM review. IT is in the final build phase, but if anything changes, updates will be shared promptly.
If you require assistance with this at any time, please contact IT through the OM Helpdesk.
Matthew Clark Operations Director
Compliance
CPD Records
As we approach the end of the 2025 CPD year, it is essential that we’ve undertaken both our required number of CPD hours (or are very near to doing so) and are recording our CPD regularly on Cascade. Please also remember that ethics and AML training (both run by 2020) are mandated by the regulations, so please ensure that you’ve watched these webinars this year and again, recorded this in your CPD records. This year, the QAD have written to a couple of Old Mill staff members, requesting review of CPD records. This has involved answering questions based on areas of specialism, CPD activity undertaken (together with providing verifiable evidence) and the impact of the CPD activity. We’re pleased to confirm that these enquiries have been successfully dealt with’.
Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT)
The PCRT, which applies to all tax work, has been updated with effect from 1 January 2026 to ensure consistency with international standards.
The main changes are:
• Clarifying that PCRT applies where a member is engaged to provide a second opinion (2.15)
• Setting out the actions that should be taken where a client wishes to pursue a tax planning arrangement, where a member believes there is no credible basis (3.8 – 3.10)
To view the full list of changes, click here.
Jamie Rudge Technical Partner
Finance
Expenses policy update
We recently issued an updated version of the Old Mill expenses policy, which most of you have read and accepted via the MyCompliance portal.
There is quite a lot of detail in the policy, and so we thought it sensible to highlight one specific point in case anyone either missed it or has forgotten about it.
The purchase of a gift for a colleague:
Purchases of small gifts, up to a maximum spend of £50 (inclusive of VAT) are allowable for personal milestones and work-related milestones.
Examples of a personal milestone could be a gift to celebrate a wedding, significant birthday or the arrival of a baby.
Examples of a work-related milestone could be an exam pass or qualification completion.
If you would like to thank or reward a colleague for a job well done, please do not purchase a gift, please use the Old Mill Xtra points scheme.
The £50 limit has been set to align with the rules HMRC have in relation to a trivial benefit.
Criteria to qualify as a trivial benefit:
• It cost the employer £50 or less to provide
• It isn’t cash or a cash voucher
• It isn’t a reward for work or performance
• It isn’t in the terms of an employment contract
If one of the above conditions isn’t met, the benefit becomes taxable, and the full amount (not just the portion over £50) must be reported to HMRC as a benefit in kind.
We thought it worth sharing this again in a separate note to help ensure we remain compliant with HMRC legislation. This note should also help minimise the chance of anyone being left out of pocket by submitting a claim which does not comply with our policy.
*Expenses claims for gifts which are non-compliant will have to be rejected in future.
Sam Petherbridge Finance Manager
Rural
Marketing along with several members of the Rural team attended the Dairy Show at the Bath and West Showground on Wednesday 1 October. The day was a resounding success, with lots of constructive conversations had with clients, as well as prospects, and many pints of cider poured (plus consumed).
Milk Cost of Production Report 2024-2025
We have been busy collating, analysing and evaluating our rural client data to provide you with a comprehensive and insightful breakdown on the state of the dairy industry. The survey is a comparison of farms with a March year-end who derive their income mainly, or solely, from milk sales. As well as a review of the previous financial year, we also use the data to look ahead at projections for the current trading year. Dairy farmers welcomed a rise in milk prices and continued fall of feed costs throughout the 202425 period, with the improving general trend leading many to turn their heads to future-proofing their businesses ahead of impending changes to Inheritance Tax.
The purpose of this survey is to help our Rural clients to benchmark their own farming enterprises and, by planning ahead, make the most out of the opportunities available.
Click here or below to download your copy.
Milk Cost of Production Report 2024-2025
Recruitment
It’s a busy time of year for the recruitment team (Emma Coleman and myself) as we’re attending some universities to introduce OM to students, as an employer of choice, ahead of our Assessment Centres in Q1.
We’d like to share our extended thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help man our stalls and tell their story of how they got to where they are within the company.
Please do keep an eye out on our LinkedIn pages and share our updates, especially if you think you may have people in your network who might be interested!
Recruitment Fair - Harper Adams University, Edgmond - Tuesday 11 November Where to find us
Recruitment Fair - Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester - Thursday 6 November
Kaz Austen Recruitment Adviser
Retreat for Leadership & Development Programme
The Old Mill Leadership and Development Programme started this month. Those participating spent a couple of days on retreat at 42 Acres.
Reflecting on the trip, Director, Laura Seaward, said: “An incredible couple of days building relationships, focusing on personal development and building a deeper understanding on our strengths, values and how we each lead - and team building apple baskets in the woods! “
All team away day 2025
It was brilliant to host the second Old Mill All Team Away Day at the Bath and West Showground, with an amazing turnout – an amazing improvement on last year's numbers.
This year's theme was 'growth', and our speakers certainly understood the assignment, with several engaging and insightful relevant presentations throughout the day
If you haven't already, please do take a moment to write down your 12-month goal on your postcard. We look forward to seeing them added to your office growth wall soon.
Thank you to everyone who either organised or attended for such a wonderful day with colleagues!
Old Mill awards
We work with some exceptional people, which is why 55 people were nominated for Old Mill recognition at the away day 2025.
Congratulations to those nominated!
Adam Codman Alison Smith Amy Dedman Ann Thorne April Kibby
Avril Owers Beth Coles Beth Gore Billie Lovell
Bradley Causey
Carrier Tiller Charlie Fricker Charlotte Corr Chloe Lawrence Chloe Smith
Chris Boddy David Jones
Elinor Ahrens Emily Elliott
Emily Smith
Emma Coleman
Emma Jane Hodges Emma Logan Emma Mason Emily Gulwell
Gemma Cocks Isabel Harris
Isabella Fussell Jo Wigmore Jodie Pike
Judith Bennett Kathryn Mansell Kathy Ferris Katie Baker Kim Mauger
Laura Seaward Lucy Bennett Luke Robertson Mark Neath Marta Godlewska
Max Chainey Megan Dams Melissa Davies Neil Miller Nicole Summers
Phil Kirkpatrick Rachael Harrison Sally King
Samantha Skelsey Sarah Johnson
Sharon Davies
Stephanie Farrow Suzy Knaggs Victoria Pike Willem Puddy
And the winners are...
Outstanding Individual - Chippenham: Sharon Davies
Congratulations to Sharon, who was picked as the Chippenham office’s Outstanding Individual for her dedication, adaptability, and attention to detail. Sharon plays a key role in keeping everything running smoothly, from proactively picking up and resolving office issues to managing and coordinating complex diaries. Although her primary role is Ricky’s PA, she has been ‘wearing many hats’ in the Chippenham Office for some time and has been continually professional, friendly and a face in the office you can trust.
Outstanding Individual - Wells: Neil Miller
Fantastic job by Neil Miller who was voted Wells’ Outstanding Individual for his positivity, dependability, and deep knowledge of the company. Neil always goes above-andbeyond to help out his colleagues whenever they may need assistance, even when his own workload is particularly high. His colleagues also commented on how much they enjoy working with him on projects.
Outstanding Individual - Ilminster: Beth Gore
Beth Gore was selected as Ilminster’s Outstanding Individual for her professionalism, confidence, and willingness to help wherever possible. Beth became ACCA qualified earlier this year, and has since taken on several new challenges whilst impressing with her client contact success and task ownership.
Outstanding Individual - Yeovil: David Jones
A big round of applause to David Jones who has impressed his Yeovil colleagues by winning several new clients, as well as helping others in his team to progess with their careers. Since stepping into a new role as Partner, David has contributed even further to the company’s success, whilst also going the extra mile for both colleagues and clients and displaying a true passion to help new starters get settled.
Outstanding Individual - Exeter: Katie Baker
A huge well done to Exeter’s Outstanding Individual, Katie Baker, who was picked for her commitment to ensuring everything runs smoothly in the office, as well as succeeding in her usual role. Her contribution has helped several teams and individuals, leading with empathy, initiative, and a strong sense of responsibility. Katie has been a source of positivity for everyone in her office, spanning far further than her rural team.
Embracing Change Champion: Amy Dedman
And finally, a massive congratulations goes to Amy Dedman, who was this year selected as our Embracing Change Champion. Amy has done an excellent job of embracing her new role as Head of Small Business, navigating her team through some big changes whilst keeping morale high. She’s been instrumental in delivering an excellent service to small busines owners despite several significant changes to the team.
Autumn Budget 2025
Events - all events can be found on the Events Calendar accessible via the Marketing and BD Sharepoint page.
Old Mill seminars
All clients
2 December
Small Business MTD & Autumn Budget update Wells
3 December
Small Business MTD & Autumn Budget update Yeovil
Rural clients
2 December Autumn Budget Seminar Yeovil/Wells
3 December Autumn Budget Seminar Cyber Centre
4 December Autumn Budget Seminar with HSBC Lambourn
9 December Autumn Budget - Old Mill & Kivells Exeter Market
Articles - all articles can be found at Insights or News pages. Budget speculation
Possible pre-Budget actions
Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge: why ‘just using the calculator’ isn’t enough
Autumn Budget 2025: How could small business owners be affected?
Autumn Budget 2025 – no tax shock?
Upcoming events
Events
Recruitment
6 November
Recruitment Fair - Royal Agricultural University Cirencester
Main contact: Kaz Austen
11 November
Recruitment Fair - Harper Adams University
Edgmond
Main contact: Kaz Austen
Old Mill Christmas Party 2025 - Haynes Motor Museum Sparkford General
26 November
Making Ends Meat Conference - Royal Agricultural University
Old Mill Stand
Main contact: Tim Broadhurst
1 December South West Winter Fair
Sedgemoor Livestock Market - Old Mill Stand
Main contact: Tim Broadhurst
12 December
4 December
Main contact: Julia Banwell Networking
South West Winter Fair Fatstock Dinner
Old Mill table with Clarke Wilmott
Sponsorship
1 November 2025
Shepton Mallet Fireworks
Shepton Mallet
1 November 2025
Evercreech Fireworks Evercreech
26 November 2025
Making Ends Meat - Royal Agricultural University Cirencester
26 November 2025
Frome Fatstock Show 2025
Frome
Marketing Business Development
Marketing new starter
Jamie joined the team in August as maternity cover for Emilie, who recently welcomed her baby girl, Ottilie, into the world. Jamie has been working primarily on writing articles and designing content for both digital and print.
Connect with us!
Get in touch
Are you following our socials? If not, you’re missing out!
Our social media channels are the easiest way to stay in the loop with what’s happening across the company.
From exciting updates and behind-thescenes moments to celebrating team wins and sharing useful tips, it’s also a great way to show support for your colleagues and help boost our brand presence.
Plus, you never know when you or your team might get a shoutout!
Marketing Business Development
Ben Carter
Senior Marketing Manager ben.carter@om.uk 07825 620052
Melissa Davies
Marketing & Events Executive melissa.davies@om.uk 01749 335100
Angela Crowley Business Development Manager
angela.crowley@om.uk 01935 709438
Tim Broadhurst Business Development Manager - Rural
tim.broadhurst@om.uk 01935 709380
Jamie Grover
Marketing Executive jamie.grover@om.uk 01749 335060
Help us get more Google Reviews
We’ve been working behind the scenes on a plan to bring in more Google Reviews for all offices. At the time of writing, we’ve only had a total of four reviews over the past two years, with Exeter having none since 2018 and also an overall rating of only three stars. Chippenham also totals just two reviews.
Of course, this is in no way representative of the hard work we put in to provide top services to our clients. As such, we’ve launched a campaign to boost reviews and hopefully in-turn bring in new clients.
Below are a few of the materials we’ve put together to aid this campaign. You’ll soon notice posters in office receptions, emails will be sent out to all clients, as well as postcards that’ll be included with every new client’s documentation.
Update your email signature
You will have seen an email from Marketing about updating your email signature to include a hyperlink to your respective office’s Google Review page. If you’ve not updated this yet, please do at your earliest convenience!
As part of a push for more Google Reviews, we’re asking all employees to add a link into their email signatures so clients have the option to leave a review. If you’re based in our Ilminster office, you won’t need to do this for now.
Signatures for Old Mill offices
Please copy and paste the ‘Click here to leave us a review.’ text from your office’s subtitle into your email signature. Read on for instructions.
Wells signature: Click here to leave us a review.
Exeter signature: Click here to leave us a review
Chippenham signature: Click here to leave us a review.
Yeovil signature: Click to leave us a review.
How to update your signature
Open Outlook.
Go to File > Options > Mail.
Click Signatures….
Select your existing signature.
Copy your office’s link from this update and paste it into your signature below your name but above the OM logo and your contact details. Please press enter to create a space above and below the link to make it look neat. – see example below.
Click OK to save.
New brochures
Making Tax Digital (MTD) Packages
The Small Business team is making a push to get all clients MTD compliant as soon as possible. To assist with this, we’ve created print and digital versions of the packages Old Mill can offer to help businesses with this, along with a tailored questionnaire to cover all bases, and an informative video to further explain things.
All of these documents are accessible via the Small Business page within the Publications section of our Marketing Sharepoint site.
The social side
Exeter Office Office Head
Katie Baker
Exeter
Chippenham Office Office Head
Abigail Footner
Wells Office Office Head
Melissa Davies
Yeovil Office Office Head
Emma Coleman
Ilminster Office Office Head
Liz Wilding
Eleven members of our Exeter office tore up the tarmac for five kilometres all in the name of charity. The team, including our very own CEO, put in a huge shift at the Michelmores 5K Charity Run to raise money for South West domestic abuse charity, FearFree.
Exeter Office Head Katie Baker said: “What a brilliant evening it was - the energy, laughter, and team spirit carried us all the way to the finish line. A huge thank you to everyone who ran and to those who came along to support, your encouragement at the end was very much appreciated. We’d love to see even more of you on the start line next year and consider this your official nudge!”
Wells
The Wells team enjoyed a summer party last month with sourdough pizza provided by the amazing Soul Dough from their purpose-built mobile pizza oven/Land Rover.
Wells Office Head Melissa Davies said: “It was a nice relaxing evening, and a well deserved treat for the team who have been working really hard as usual. We enjoyed playing giant jenga, swingball, and football.”
Jolyon’s 30th anniversary
Our Managing Director Jolyon Stonehouse celebrated his 30th year at Old Mill on Thursday 4 September. He was given a special welcome upon his arrival to the Wells Office with balloons and party decorations, and also gave a brilliant speech later in the day about his earliest memories of the company along with some valuable advice for the youngsters.
Congratulations again Jolyon, we hope you enjoyed your cake to mark the occasion!
Lucy’s 10k fundraiser
Lucy Davies, did an amazing job raising over £300 for Cancer Research UK in the Bristol 10k Shine Night Walk on Friday 10 October. Lucy’s step-mum is currently battling stage four cancer, and undergoing extensive treatment.
“It’s tough, but seeing the strength she has every day is incredible, and if these donations help at all it’ll be amazing; to have more options, maybe even a cure one day.” Lucy said.
“I know times are tough so there’s no expectation for donations, but I am super competitive and want to raise more than my two sisters and step-brother who walked alongside me!
“It was an amazing night; the atmosphere was so lovely with everyone chatting and encouraging each other. We had a marker for each km and we made sure to take a picture at each one to share our progress with our step-mum who was waiting at home.
“The weather was perfect, and we completed our walk in just over two hours. We had raised £700 between us at the time we set off!”
To donate to Lucy’s fundraiser, click here.
Contact
This newsletter is for you, it will continually evolve to what you want to see and read. Feedback your thoughts, stories, updates and ideas to jamie.grover@om.uk.