Bang the Drum

This episode of Fresh Perspectives goes behind the numbers of the latest Azets Barometer to explore how SME leaders are navigating uncertainty, resilience, investment and growth in 2026. Rob Brown is joined by Peter Gallanagh, UK&I CEO at Azets, to unpack the findings from Azets’ quarterly business sentiment survey and explain what they reveal about the mindset of UK business owners right now....

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and what it means for business owners, landlords and the self-employed as the biggest change to the UK tax system in decades comes into effect. Rob Brown is joined by Anita Holmes, MTD Client Services Director at Azets, and Stuart Miller, Director of Product Compliance and Industry Engagement at Xero, to explain what the...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores what UK SMEs need to consider as they expand internationally and why global growth is often more complex than expected. Rob Brown is joined by Michael Holland and Annie Hughes from Blick Rothenberg to discuss the practical realities of international expansion. We explore why businesses often underestimate the complexity involved, where things tend to go...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores the financial challenges facing charities and not-for-profits, why the sector is under more pressure than most people realise, and what trustees and business leaders need to know right now. Rob Brown is joined by Siobhan Holmes, Partner at Azets and specialist in charity and NFP work, who brings a rare perspective from both sides of the table. She audits...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores how businesses can balance commercial success with meaningful social impact and why purpose is becoming central to long-term sustainability. Rob Brown is joined by Peter Gallanagh, UK & Ireland CEO at Azets, to discuss the firm’s partnership with The King’s Trust and what it means to be a responsible business today. We explore how organisations can m...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores what restructuring and insolvency actually mean for business owners, why early advice makes all the difference and what options exist long before a company reaches the point of no return. Rob Brown is joined by Matthew Richards, Joint Head of Restructuring and Insolvency at Azets, to discuss the current pressures facing UK businesses and why rising costs...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores how the role of finance is evolving as businesses grow and why SMEs need forward-looking insight rather than backward reporting. Rob Brown is joined by Neil Martin, Group CFO at Azets, to discuss what business owners often miss when they are focused on day-to-day operations and how experienced financial perspectives can unlock better decisions. We talk a...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores why social impact is no longer optional for modern businesses and how responsible partnerships can strengthen performance, culture and long-term value. Rob Brown is joined by Ben Marson, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at The King’s Trust. Together they discuss the role businesses can play in supporting young people, why social investment matters m...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores how SMEs can use AI and automation to improve efficiency, reduce risk and support business growth. Rob Brown is joined for the final time in this three-part series by Charles Richards, UK Head of Digital Client Service at Azets, to discuss how SMEs should think about AI in terms of outcomes rather than tools. We look at where automation delivers quick wi...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives looks at how SMEs can balance technology with a human touch to improve customer experience without damaging trust. Rob Brown is joined again by Charles Richards, UK Head of Digital Client Service at Azets, to explore which customer interactions should be digital first and which must remain human led. We discuss how automation can remove friction, free up time and...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores what great customer service really means for SMEs and why it is a growth lever rather than a hygiene factor. Rob Brown is joined by Charles Richards, UK Head of Digital Client Service at Azets, to unpack how customer experience directly affects retention, lifetime value, referrals and team engagement. We discuss why clear service standards matter, how SM...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores the current corporate finance landscape in the UK and what it really means for SME business owners navigating growth, investment, acquisitions and exit decisions. Rob Brown is joined by Lee Humble, UK Head of Corporate Finance at Azets, to discuss why recent tax changes have slowed activity, how economic and political uncertainty is affecting decision ma...

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, we unpack the introduction of the Fair Work Agency (FWA) and what it means for employers ahead of its launch in April. Rob Brown is joined by Hannah-Jane Dobbie, Head of HR Consultancy at Azets, and Julie Gunnell, Associate Director of Payroll Growth, to explore why the FWA has been introduced, the powers it will hold, and the consequences for businesses that...

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores the Construction Industry Scheme and why it presents a growing risk for businesses well beyond traditional construction firms. Rob Brown is joined by Jo Gander, Employment Tax Adviser at Azets, who explains why the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) remains one of the most complex and high-risk areas of employment tax. They look at how HMRC scrutiny is i...

One month down in 2026 and business owners continue to face uncertainty, rising costs, and increasing pressure to make the right decisions at speed. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown is joined by Peter Gallanagh, UK & Ireland CEO at Azets, to unpack what the year is likely to bring for SME leaders. Peter reflects on the structural challenges businesses are carrying forward, from...

In this episode, we explore the Tipping Act and what it means for employers, payroll teams, and HR leaders, with expert insight from Hannah-Jane Dobbie and Julie Gunnell. We break down what qualifies as a tip, how service charges should be handled, and the responsibilities businesses now carry around fairness, transparency, and record keeping. The discussion also looks ahead to changes coming in O...

In Part 2 of Cash Flow Confidence, we continue the conversation with Matthew Grant, following on from Part 1 where we explored why profitable businesses still run into trouble because of cash flow. In Part 1 Matthew unpacked the most common cash flow mistakes he sees in growing SMEs, from weak terms of trade and slow debtor management to a lack of visibility over the true cash position of the busi...

In this episode, Chris Horne, CEO of Azets Group, reflects on what it really means to lead a people-first, tech-enabled accountancy group at scale. From fast-tracked digitisation in the pandemic to scaling across eight countries through selective M&A, Chris explains why alignment beats speed alone - because direction builds an army, not crowd control. The future of accountancy, Chris argues, i...

In this episode, we delve into the essentials of cash flow confidence with expert insights from Matthew Grant, a seasoned expert in financial advisory. Discover the five critical areas where SMEs often falter, including robust terms of trade, handling non-paying clients, understanding the cash conversion cycle, utilising payment gateways, and offering early payment discounts to strengthen business...

Recorded one week after the UK Autumn Statement 2025, this episode looks at the employment tax impact, featuring Jez Howson, Employment Tax Partner at Azets. Jez explains the real-world implications for employers as wage inflation, pension changes and national insurance adjustments reshape workforce costs. We explore the risks, the opportunities and the actions businesses should be taking now. The...

This episode looks at the private client impact of the Autumn Budget, featuring Jodie Barwick Bell, Private Client Partner at Azets. Jodie explains how the changes affect property owners, wealthy families and business owners, exploring what the new rules mean for investments, inheritance tax and the broader planning landscape. The conversation covers cover property income tax increases, structurin...

This episode explores the key tax changes emerging in the week following the Budget and what they mean in practice for UK businesses. Tax expert Claire Smailes breaks down the measures that matter most, how they affect investment, remuneration, transactions and compliance, and what manufacturing businesses should pay particular attention to. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azet...

A fast, honest, and expert reaction to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2025. Recorded immediately after the announcement, this episode captures first impressions from Azets’ senior tax specialists. We unpack the headline measures, early implications for business owners, and what looks positive, challenging, or surprising at first glance. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – w...

In this special UK Spring Statement 2025 episode, host Emma Sheppard is joined by a panel of Azets’ expert advisers for live reaction to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ latest fiscal update. They explore the implications for business, tax, and the wider economy - examining how Labour’s evolving policies are shaping the path to growth and investment across the UK. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the...

Ready to build a solid financial foundation for long-term success? Tune into the latest episode of Bang the Drum for expert insights on budgeting, investing, and risk management. In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Jonathan Gibson, Chair of the Charted Institute for Securities and Investment in Scotland, and Graeme Dreghorn, Director with Azets Wealth Management. They dive into the essenti...