Professional Services Digest #2
In this huge bumper edition Digest, read the latest news from the professional services sector, covering solicitors, legal advice, insurance, accounting, tax advice and more!
Essential Estate Planning: Chase de Vere & Freeths event
Join this event on Thursday 20th January, 6.30pm to 7.45pm, covering perhaps the biggest misconception about estate planning: That it is the sole preserve of the wealthy.
Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP: Specialist Family lawyers and family mediators
BHO were established in September 2018 by Emily Boardman, Ruth Hawkins and Irena Osborne.
Whitley Stimpson ranked as top UK accountancy firm
The Top 50+50 Accountancy Firms 2021 has been revealed and Whitley Stimpson has been officially ranked within the Top 100 firms in the UK for the eighth year running.
Freeths Advises Centrica on investment in break-through hydrogen production technology
Freeths corporate team has advised its client, Centrica plc, on the acquisition of a minority stake in HiiROC Limited (“HiiROC”), the hydrogen production technology company helping to combat climate change with affordable hydrogen produced at scale but without CO2 emissions.
Corporate team advises on sale of AI spinout to Meltwater
The corporate team at Penningtons Manches Cooper has advised the selling shareholders of Oxford spin-out DeepReason.ai on its acquisition by leading media intelligence SaaS provider Meltwater BV for $7.3 million in a combination of cash and Meltwater equity including earn-outs. The DeepReason.ai team will join Meltwater.
Blake Morgan signs up to The Law Society’s Women in Law...
Leading law firm Blake Morgan has announced its commitment to The Law Society’s Women in Law Pledge. This joint initiative of The Law Society, Bar Council of England and Wales, and Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) aims to create a more equal legal sector and brings gender equality to the forefront of the conversation.
HMRC collects £100bn more in 2021/22 than previous year
Recent data from HMRC shows the tax authority collected £392 billion in taxes between April and October 2021, £99.8bn more than the same period in 2020.
Small business confidence loses steam
The Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) measurement of business confidence has slipped by 2.2 points between Q2 and Q3 2021, falling to 16.4, the second consecutive quarterly fall of the small business index (SBI).
Freeths Advises Zertus on Acquisition of Sun Valley
Freeths corporate team has advised its client, Zertus UK on the acquisition of The Sun Valley Nut Company “Sun Valley” from the Hacking family, who founded the business in 1949, led by James Hacking.
Champing at the bit to support vulnerable generations in Oxford
And they’re off!! CRM had a wonderful fundraising evening with clients and our charity partner Daybreak Oxford, for another popular Charity Race Night.
What is Capital Gains Tax in the UK?
Stuart Crook FCA, explains the concept of Capital Gains Tax and how it’s applied to the profits made on the sales of assets.
Freeths responds to continued high demand for new housing
As the latest results published by the country’s leading housebuilders point to the rebound which followed the initial lockdown turning into a sustained demand for quality new homes nationwide, national law firm Freeths has announced further investment in its Residential Development Team.
CRM’s first female director
With new starters taking their first steps in accountancy and part-qualified accountants entering the home straight of their qualification journey, CRM is bursting with talent and growth.
More than just a storm in a Yorkshire teacup – Why...
Yorkshire County Cricket Club (Yorkshire) has been in the headlines recently following serious allegations of institutional racism. These allegations come in the wake of the findings that former Yorkshire player, Azeem Rafiq, was subjected to racial harassment and bullying during his time at the club which allegedly led him to consider taking his own life.
Oxford Firm Appoints Three New Partners
Leading, mid-market accountancy firm, Wellers, has promoted three of its Millennial team members to Partners, as the firm continues to stand out as a regional employer in both London and Oxfordshire.
More in Professional Services
Freeths sets 2040 net zero pathway with release of first firm‑wide...
Leading law firm Freeths has just published its first Net Zero Transition Plan, marking a major step forward in the firm’s long-term commitment to responsible business. The plan sets out a clear, science-aligned pathway to achieving net zero across the value chain by 2040, underpinned by newly validated near and long-term targets from the Science […]
TalkTalk Business expands managed services portfolio with addition of Planet IT
Leading law firm Freeths has advised the selling shareholders of Planet IT on the sale of the business to TalkTalk Business, supporting TalkTalk Business’s expansion of its managed services portfolio.
James Cowper Kreston Join B4 as Platinum Members
B4 is delighted to announce that James Cowper Kreston, one of Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley’s leading firms of accountants and business advisers, has joined the B4 network as a Platinum Member.
From this author
Building Better Businesses: How Values, Culture and Purpose Shape Positive Impact
Hosted by Better Business Ecosystem lead Grant Hayward, B4 Members gathered to explore what it truly means to run a “better business” — one that creates meaningful impact for employees, customers, communities and the wider world. The discussion examined how organisational values, mission-driven thinking and workplace culture shape the way businesses operate and grow. Please see link at the foot of the article to a report from new B4 Members, Designed by Oxygen, which was referenced by Suzie Mills during the session.
HENLEY FESTIVAL’S SPECTACULAR LINE-UP FOR 2026
Henley Festival Presented by Hemani is thrilled to reveal a dazzling line-up for five magical summer nights from 8-12 July 2026 with headliners on its iconic Floating Stage including Boy George & Culture Club, Sugababes, Lulu, and Alex James’ Britpop Classical.
B4 Business Development Ecosystem – Strategic Focus on Winning the Right...
Our recent Business Development Ecosystem, facilitated by the excellent Caroline O’Connor of Fourth Born, brought together business owners and senior business development professionals from sectors including construction, professional services, charities and technology.






