Business Talks

In this episode of Business Talks, hosts Tom Alun-Jones and Zoe Thomas are joined by Alastair Loasby , Saffery’s Director of Sustainability and ESG, to explain what the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) are trying to achieve and consider the practical steps your business needs to take. They discuss: - What sustainability means in the context of long-term business strategies - How UK S...

The UK’s new Employment Rights Act is not just a minor HR tweak; it represents the most significant overhaul of employment law in recent years. These reforms are set to reshape how employers recruit, manage probation, respond to flexible working and handle dismissals for many years to come. In this episode of Business Talks, hosts Tom Alun-Jones and Zoe Thomas sit down with employment law expert D...

As of 1 January 2026, significant changes to FRS 102 came into effect marking the biggest update to UK GAAP in more than a decade.  But what does this actually mean for your bottom line and your reporting process? The revisions aim to enhance the quality and consistency of UK financial reporting by aligning key areas – notably revenue, leases, and small entity disclosures – more closely with IFRS....

We unpack how the Autumn Budget changes investment reliefs, hiring costs and compliance, trading a single headline for many smaller moves with real cash impacts. We share clear actions for capital allowances, EMI and EIS/VCT use, transfer pricing readiness and payroll risk. In this Business Talks podcast episode, Tom Alun-Jones , Zoe Thomas , and Adam Kay break down what these changes mean for UK...

In this episode of Business Talks, our new hosts, Tom Alun-Jones and Zoe Thomas sit down with tax director Victoria Baguley-Wood to unpack the Register of Overseas Entities (ROE), which is a key legal requirement for overseas entities owning UK property. Victoria breaks down what the legislation covers, the risks of non-compliance, and the privacy challenges property owners face. Tom and Zoe also...

Partnership life has evolved dramatically over the past 20 years, shifting from traditional equity models to diverse structures that include salary partners, fixed-share partners, and corporate entities. Modern partners are senior leaders who set culture, drive business forward, and create environments where people can succeed. In this episode of Business Talks, host is joined by Andrew Hedley, Di...

Could your company be missing out on a valuable tax relief? In this engaging discussion, host Jamie Lane and tax specialist Rachel Chappell dive into the world of R&D tax credits, revealing why businesses across all sectors should be paying attention. They explore: What qualifies as R&D (it’s broader than you think!) How to avoid common pitfalls and HMRC scrutiny The hidden power of the Pa...

In our latest episode, we're tackling a crucial compliance issue for UK businesses: the Corporate Criminal Offence (CCO) of failing to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion. Host, Jamie Lane, is joined by Zoe Thomas, Head of Corporate Tax, to discuss the impact of these regulations for businesses of all sizes. They discuss: What the CCO legislation covers, Why HMRC is increasing enforcement...

Sustainability and ESG are now essential considerations for businesses of all sizes, but rapidly evolving reporting requirements mean there are a number of strategic implications to consider. Yi Zheng, a sustainability and ESG specialist at Saffery joins host, Jamie Lane, to explain current and upcoming reporting frameworks and explore how sustainability can create business value that is far beyon...

In this episode, Jamie Lane is joined by Mark Duhig, HR Director at Saffery, to discuss the ever-changing world of recruitment and retention. Professional services firms are people-based businesses; having a workforce that’s skilled to meet a business’ requirements is key to its ongoing success. In addition to exploring the role leadership has to play throughout the recruitment and retention proce...

In this episode, Jamie Lane is joined again by Richard Crook, Marketing and Business Development Director at Saffery, to explore the intricacies of business development for professional services firms. As the networking landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial to balance both digital and in-person professional relationships. Firms must enhance their online presence on LinkedIn with increased ac...

The salaried member rules for limited liability partnerships (LLPs) have been in place since 2014. 10 years on, in February this year, HMRC updated its guidance in this area – without explaining what had prompted the changes. In this episode, Jamie Lane is joined by Mike Hodges , a tax partner based in our Manchester office. Jamie and Mike provide an overview of the current situation and the rules...

With more businesses jumping on the AI-bandwagon, it’s no secret that AI tools have become more accessible, more applied, and easier to use. In a follow-up to our previous episode on IT challenges for businesses, Jamie Lane is once again joined by David Fazakerley, our IT director, and Chris White, Head of Strategic Consultancy at full-service IT provider, QuoStar, to discuss how firms are leverag...

Professional Indemnity insurance, or PI insurance as it’s better known, has been a challenging area for professional services firms to navigate over the past few years. In this episode, Jamie Lane is joined by Andrew Palmer, Executive Director at Gallagher, who runs the PI team based in London. Jamie and Andrew delve into areas including: The current market and recent trends, A deeper look into th...

In this episode we discuss the current IT challenges that businesses are facing in an ever-developing space. Jamie Lane is joined by David Fazakerley, our IT Director, and Chris White, Head of Strategic Consultancy at QuoStar, who are a full-service IT provider. Their insights reveal a transformation where IT departments morph from traditional service providers to strategic partners, selecting the...

Jamie Lane is joined by Niraj Patel, a partner and head of our Corporate Finance Team, and Andrew Fraser, a senior manager within our Corporate Finance Team.  In this episode they look at the findings from our recent report which examined M&A activity within the legal sector for the year to June 2023. In particular, Jamie, Niraj and Andrew discuss areas including: Key factors and trends impact...

In this episode Jamie Lane is joined by Niraj Patel , head of our Corporate Finance Team , and Charlie Fletcher , a partner who specialises in transactional work including mergers and acquisition at law firm Mishcon de Reya . Jamie, Niraj and Charlie discuss the overarching topic of M&A, including: What is M&A? What the process involves,  Why it takes place, and How it is implemented withi...

In our latest podcast we are joined by Clare Morgan, who is our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) specialist at the firm.  We discuss why ED&I is so important to professional services firms. In particular we examine: Why a firmwide ED&I strategy is crucial to success, The relationship between a firm’s culture and ED&I, and the role of senior management to drive change, Commo...

In the episode Jamie Lane speaks to Richard Crook on the topic of rebranding.  With an ever growing importance on a strong brand in a competitive marketplace, we discuss what professional practices should be aware of when undertaking such a large and important project. Some of the question we look at include: What is a rebrand and what does it entail? What is the difference between marketing and a...

This is the second episode exploring the topic of becoming a partner with Anna Wesson from Samsas, a business that provides professional leadership and management coaching. In this episode we discuss the area of business cases when looking to become a partner, and Jamie Lane shares his personal experience of the process. For more Business Talks Podcasts, head to: www.saffery.com/insights/podcasts/...

In this podcast, we are delighted to be joined by Anna Wesson from Samsas , a business that provides professional leadership and management coaching. We speak to Anna about the route to becoming a partner, and the mindset needed to be successful.  This includes the key cultural and psychological considerations to take on board when joining a partnership. This is the first part of a two part specia...