#Amazing Accrington - Winter 2017

Hargreaves Brown & Benson

Autumn 2017

100 not out for HBB...

Above: Left centre: Steven Wood, Senior Partner and Andrew Stephenson MP, with HBB staff Below: From left: Andrew Stephenson MP and Steven Wood, Senior Partner.

MP is guest of honour

We were honoured to welcome Andrew Stephenson to the Hargreaves, Brown & Benson offices to help us celebrate our centenary year. Mr Stephenson MP was guest of honour at a ceremony at the firm’s offices where he cut the ribbon on a brand new plinth standing in the lobby, showcasing an original ledger from our first year of trading in 1917. Mr Stephenson MP said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be here to celebrate the centenary of Hargreaves, Brown & Benson; it’s a remarkable achievement for a thriving and exceptional local business.” When HBB first opened our premises the country had just been subjected to bread rationing during the First World War and you would have thought it would have Over the years HBB have had the opportunity, and the privilege, to service clients from various interesting backgrounds and industries. A recurring theme with HBB has been the close association with football. Aside from handling any number of individual footballers’ and coaches’ finances over the years, HBB have held accounts with some of the game’s most recognisable clubs. HBB and the beautiful game

been an extremely difficult time to begin a new business. HBB Senior Partner, Steven Wood, said: “It is wonderful to be commemorating 100 years of Hargreaves, Brown & Benson and I would like to thank Andrew for coming here today to help us celebrate by unveiling our brand new centenary stand, which will have pride of place in reception for all to see. It is truly a milestone year for us and we can only hope that the next 100 years can be as successful as the previous.” All the staff present gathered in the boardroomwith Mr Stephenson MP, posing for another picture and tucking into a cake made especially for the occasion, washed down with a small drop of champagne. We would like to thank all staff and partners, past and present, for the contribution they have made to the firm and we are very excited about the new crop coming through to take the company forward.

The story of how HBB landed the Chelsea account was one of those wonderful quirks of fate which began exactly like that famous old joke: “Two builders walk into an accountancy firm in Colne…” The rest was history. Closer to home we are very proud to say that we helped out a very famous local club when they were in a great time of need. Not so many years ago Accrington Stanley were going through a rather dire financial situation and HBB was asked to come in to help sort out the club’s finances. As they are a local club we didn’t charge our full fees, we wanted to help the club out and do something for that famous old club and for the community. We are pleased that Stanley are now in a much better situation and could well be a tip for promotion this season.

One of themwas current Premier League Champions, Chelsea Football Club. HBB handled the accounts for Chelsea during the era of Ken Bates – who got an excellent deal by purchasing the club for £1. It may not seem odd that a club whose stadium, Stamford Bridge, situated in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, would have its accounts handled by a firm in Bond Street… but, if that particular Bond Street happens to be in Colne, it may raise an eyebrow or two.

If your company is large or a single start up call us today on 01282 864646 or email sjw@hbb.co.uk for a private consultation on your finances

est 1917