Simon Bladen
Partner, Sheffield
Simon is the partner responsible for looking after the firm’s legal and charitable clients in particular, although he also holds a general practice portfolio. He trained and qualified at Hawsons before becoming a manager and subsequently a partner at the firm. He has a wealth of experience within the legal and charitable sectors and is also a non-executive director for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.
Despite the fact Simon supports Tottenham Hotspur he is actually a keen footballer and, when he’s not playing, he enjoys keeping fit in the gym. He has a son and a young daughter who both keep him occupied most evenings.
Simon’s recent articles
What does charity finance have in store for 2020?
What does charity finance have in store for 2020? Like most sectors across the UK, the charity sector is going to face a variety of challenges in 2020. At this moment in time a large majority of the problems are arising on the financial side. However, it’s not just a...
Charities and VAT
CHARITIES AND VAT It is wrong to assume that Charities get special VAT treatment, however they do benefit from VAT relief on the purchase of some goods and services. They can also get a VAT exemption on income from fundraising events as long as certain conditions are...
UK Legal sector revenue increases
UK Legal sector revenue increases A report conducted by TheCityUK revealed that UK legal sector turnover increased by 6% year-on-year to £35.5bn. For the top 100 firms across the U.K revenue increased to £26.4bn in 2019 representing 8% growth, 80% of this was made by...
Hawsons makes history after 165 years in business
Hawsons Chartered Accountants is 165 years old Hawsons Chartered Accountants was founded in the city of Sheffield in 1854 – more than 25 years before the creation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales – by Alfred Allott and John Hewett....
Bar pupil’s minimum pay set to increase
Bar pupil's minimum pay set to increase From 1st January 2020 the minimum wage for a pupil barrister working for a chamber in London will be £18,866 a year, whereas outside London pupil barristers will receive a minimum of £16,322. The previous minimum wage was set...
New regulation for solicitors and legal services
New regulation for solicitors and legal services On the 25th November new legal services regulation came into force. The new regulations will allow a solicitor to work for unregulated firms without a waiver. Furthermore, these new regulations enable solicitors to...
Charity Tax group launch a national survey on charity VAT relief
Charity Tax group launch a national survey on charity VAT relief The Charity Tax Group are launching a national survey on charity VAT relief. The group say the research will gather information on the amount of VAT relief claimed by UK charities, which they say will...
SRA Accounts Rules 2019
SRA Accounts Rules 2019 The SRA has just published a statement relating to residual balances that cannot be repaid under rule 2.5. of the new 2019 SRA Accounts Rules which become effective for all firms from 25 November. The statement can be accessed from the SRA...
Investment in Lawtech almost triples in two years to £62m
Research conducted by Thomson Reuters and Legal Geek have found that in the past two years investment in the UK’s legal technology sector has nearly tripled as start-ups receive £61m in 2018. So far this year UK lawtech start-ups have received £62m, whereas in 2017...
Solicitors regulation authority raises concern about firms’ approach to anti-money laundering
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is going to be contacting thousands of firms in the coming weeks to ask them about the money laundering measures they have in place to combat the issue. The SRA will be conducting checks on 7,000 firms as there are fears that many...
The Solicitors Regulation Authority prepares for tech regulation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is looking into who and what should be regulated as they look into playing a more active role in the legal technology industry. As more and more firms are bringing technology and innovation into the legal sector the SRA have...
new anti-money laundering regulations set to hit many charities
New anti-money laundering regulations set to hit many charities It has been reported that a large number of charities could face administrative bureaucracy from the government as they bring in new anti-money laundering regulations. The Fifth Money Laundering Directive...
Criminal Defense Touting
The SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) remain concerned over the reluctance by some to report criminal defence touting. Only one formal complaint has been made to the SRA about a solicitor touting in this area. The code of conduct states that solicitors are banned...
Charity tax improvements might unlock more people giving to charity
Charity tax improvements might unlock more people giving to charity According to a new report from the Charity Tax Commission led by the former chairman of the Inland Revenue (Sir Nicholas Montagu), tax reliefs offered to UK charities are in urgent need of an...
Charities warned to prepare for no-deal Brexit
Charities warned to prepare for no-deal Brexit The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) are urging the new minister for civil society to make sure charities are not ignored and receive the funding they need to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. After the...
