Appointments Grand designs on growth
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rchitects The Harris Partnership, which has an office in Newport Pagnell, has announced a series of senior promotions as part of its growth programme. Director Russell O’Donoghue (inset), who is based at the office in High Street, is one of four new directors of parent company The Harris Group. The company has also made two promotions to director and associate in its London and Manchester offices. Joint managing group director James Richmond said: “We are committed to not only developing our people but fostering a positive culture across the business. These promotions also signify our ongoing confidence as a group as we invest for the future.”
From a funder to foundation chair
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rants charity the Milton Keynes Community Foundation has appointed Matthew Downton as its chair of trustees. Mr Downton is an experienced strategic and operational change leader, a qualified Chartered Management Accountant and the current director of finance, operations and projects for professional standards at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He succeeds Kurshida Mirza who has completed her threeyear term as chair. She has been a trustee for five years. “The Community Foundation represents all that is positive about charities,” said Mr Downton. “It has a bold and relevant strategy and a strong record of success. “Our Vital Signs research guides our strategy, and the organisation listens to and
supports the voices of local charities. It is key that we send funding where it is most needed and therefore our priorities include poverty, inclusion, the environment, and sustainability.” Reflecting on her three years as chair, Ms Murza said: “My aim has been to lead by example and this has permeated in the positive changes we have made not only in terms of equity, diversity and inclusion but also to our way of working from the introduction of key performance information for each area of our work measured and scrutinised
‘The foundation represents all that is positive about charities’
Rural economy adds value to wider society: CLA head
Matthew Downton in details by individual committees and the board. “This has ensured that the Foundation stays relevant and fit for purpose, taking an evidence-based approach to directing our support and resources to where it is most needed.” Mr Downton first became involved with the foundation when he raised the idea of a fund to support access to professions for ethnically diverse communities. “It is remarkable how Matthew has evolved from being a funder to becoming an integral part of the Foundation,” said its chief executive Ian Revell. “We are excited to have him lead our diverse team of trustees as we embark on our strategic journey for the next three years.”
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he passion, knowledge and goodwill of those working in the rural sector can help the country tackle climate change, said the new chairman of the Country Land and Business Association’s Buckinghamshire branch. Charlie van Exter has replaced Robert RuckKeene in one of the most important rural roles in the county, representing farmers, landowners and rural businesses. Mr van Exter (inset) said navigating the planning system will remain a challenge for many rural businesses, while natural capital and the role estates can play in tackling climate change will become even more central to the industry. “The CLA is a great platform through which the rural economy
can showcase the diverse and significant value it adds to the wider economy and society as a whole,” he added. “The rural economy brings together a phenomenally diverse group of subject matter experts whose passion, knowledge and goodwill should be leveraged by the wider economy as it looks to tackle climate change and reach net zero.” Mr van Exter said farmers and rural businesses are facing ‘exciting but somewhat daunting times’ post-Brexit, as the UK transitions away from EU funding towards its own support schemes. He manages his family’s farm near Wendover and is a director and executive search consultant at Tarver Melrose, helping estates and the rural economy to appoint senior business leaders.
The Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill received Royal Assent and the Act came into force in July this year. The new law provides special protection to pregnant women and employees who are returning from certain types of family leave in a redundancy situation. Sara Marshall, Head of Employment at Franklins Solicitors LLP, explains.
Legislation extends redundancy protection for female employees and new parents
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he new legislation provides greater protection to women that are on maternity leave or an employee who is on adoption or shared parental leave in a redundancy situation. In other words, before making a woman who is on maternity leave (or an employee on adoption or shared parental leave) redundant, an employer must offer a suitable alternative vacancy to them, where one
is available. The Act extends protection to: n A pregnant employee who is in ‘a protected period of pregnancy’; n An employee who has recently suffered a miscarriage; n An employee returning from maternity leave; n An employee returning from adoption leave; n An employee returning from shared parental leave. Employers are not required
to take any immediate actions at the moment as the guidance regarding the implementation of the Act is still awaited. The guidance will provide further regulations and explain how the new legislation will work. In the meantime, employers should be aware of the new Act but wait for the regulations before implementing the Act. However, employers should consider the implications and update their policies to
ensure they are compliant with the legislation and minimise the risk of potential discrimination claims on the grounds of pregnancy and/or maternity. Employers will be required to implement processes to identify the timeframe of earlier periods of maternity leave in redundancy situations, adopt systems to identify alternative suitable vacancies across the
Sara Marshall n For more information or for a conversation if you are considering introducing a parental leave policy or updating your redundancy procedures in your organisation, contact Sara Marshall at sara.marshall@franklins-sols.co.uk organisation and creating a supportive environment for
employees returning family leave.
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Five simple ways to save you tax when paying yourself from your business
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n spite of the UK being one of the highest taxed countries in the world there remain numerous ways to save taxation writes Tony Byrne, managing director of Wealth & Tax Management. Unfortunately, I rarely find that business owners maximise their tax mitigation opportunities. For the life of me I do not understand why. Here are five simple ways to save you tax on the sums you withdraw from your business. n Pay yourself dividends rather than salary This strategy is not as clear cut as it used to be. However, it will still save
you taxation overall under many circumstances. Worth running past your accountant.
If you are interested in ways to save tax, take advantage of a one-hour Discovery Meeting either at our offices or via a video conference call at our expense worth £270 to each of the first three readers who contact us before December 31 2023. You know it makes sense. We offer a great cup of coffee too. Ring us on 01908 523740 or for free on 0800 980 4516 or email wealth@wealthandtax.co.uk and quote DECEMBER 2023 OFFER to book your free Discovery Meeting.
n Pay your spouse or partner and your children/ dependants, not just yourself Again, one to check with your accountant. Usually it has to be a bona fide employment so it will not work for minors. n Maximise employer pension contributions to your pension and your family members’ pensions This is a tax free benefit in kind so well worth doing now that the annual allowance for maximum pension contributions has increased
Tony Byrne to £60,000 per annum per person.
benefit in kind especially for 100 per cent electric vehicles.
n Join a salary sacrifice electric car scheme This is a fantastic low cost
n Claim as many legitimate business expenses as possible
If the expense is genuinely a business one then get your business to pay for it. If your business is VAT registered and it is a VAT receipt you can not only claim back the VAT at a rate of 20 per cent but also Corporation Tax relief of up to 25 per cent.
www.wealthandtax.co.uk
RISK WARNING The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax planning.The information contained within this article is for guidance only and does not constitute advice which should be sought before taking any action or inaction. All information is based on our current understanding of taxation, legislation, regulations and case law in the current tax year. Any levels and bases of relief from taxation are subject to change. Tax treatment is based on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. This article is based on my own observations and opinions.
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Business MK | December 2023
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