Sheffield firm goes global to boost business for clients

A Sheffield firm is using its global expertise to help the growing number of local companies breaking into international markets.

Leading independent Chartered Accountants and specialist business advisers Hawsons, of Glossop Road, have joined an international business advice network which is smoothing a path to foreign shores for a large majority of Hawsons’ clients with interests overseas.

Two Hawsons partners, Martyn Weatherall and Richard Frost, have just returned from Beijing where they attended the annual conference of HLB International, a world-wide network of independent accounting firms and business advisers with representatives in over 100 countries

Hawsons are members of HLB International and it is through this organisation that the firm has developed its ability to advise and support South Yorkshire and Derbyshire companies with links to countries all over the world.

While in Beijing, Martyn and Richard talked to various trade delegations and also met clients who have already established bases in China.

Martyn, who is the UK’s representative on HLB International’s World Council, said: “Increasingly, clients are wanting us to represent their business interests abroad and we are delighted to do so because new opportunities are opening up all over the world for companies, particularly in China and India at the current time.

“Through HLB International and the support systems we have built up in many countries, we are able to offer clients direct access to high quality accountancy firms who can represent them in all parts of the world – local firms who speak perfect English and have a detailed understanding of UK business procedures and the particular needs of our clients.”

Richard said: “In the past few years, there has been significantly more overseas activity within our client base and it is vital that this is reflected in the quality of help and support we are able to give, especially if clients are dipping their toes into the international market for the first time.”

Martyn and Richard were among 200 hundred delegates from 36 countries at the conference in Beijing and, as a way of continuing to develop their global knowledge and connections, Hawsons are planning to have representatives at a world tax symposium in Colorado next year and also attend a European working group meeting.

back