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Spotlight on…Seymour Taylor

High Wycombe may not be too high on the list of world business and finance centres, but Seymour Taylor, which has had its home there since the firm was formed in 1917, is quietly taking the name of the Buckinghamshire town around the globe.

The six-partner firm prides itself on providing a complete package of accountancy, business and personal financial services, including a thriving specialism in acting for UK subsidiaries of overseas holding companies, led by partners Simon Turner and Mike Marshall.

So its client roster includes some intriguing names. There’s Photron (Europe) Ltd, based in nearby West Wycombe, the European arm of Japanese company Photron, which specialises in high speed digital video cameras.

Or there’s WebAlive, a Melbourne-based software developer and service provider for SMEs. And then there’s the UK subsidiary of Swedish Match, which also has its home in High Wycombe and is one many divisions around the world of the global company behind the iconic Swan Vesta matches and other smoking-related products.

Partner Gary Francis explains: “With UK subsidiaries, we can either offer an audit service – and have proved to be highly competitive against the Big 4 in terms of service and price – or a totally outsourced accounting function that encompasses everything a business could possible want in terms of accountancy.”

It’s an approach that certainly keeps the clients happy. Nicole Sawyer, general manager of WebAlive, says that the company is “thrilled” with the service Seymour Taylor provides, adding: “We are on the other side of the world and we are still able to get all the information we need in a timely manner.”

Andrew Hilton, director of Photron (Europe) agrees. Seymour Taylor helped the company through formation and subsequent growth and now he says it continues to play an important role in financial planning and business management.

Alongside Seymour Taylor’s UK subsidiary work, another flourishing specialism is in acquisitions, mergers and disposals, where the firm has built up a healthy local reputation.

Chiefly delivered by Gary and Simon Turner – “He provides the energy, I provide the experience”, says Gary – it’s work that’s much more than simply profitable.

Gary says: “It’s interesting, too, not just box ticking. These are life-changing transactions for our clients.

“You have to be prepared for these deals to take over your life, to say to your client: ‘Wherever I am, if you need me I’m available’. Time is critical and you can’t afford to miss a phone call or an email – I’ve taken a call at 10.30pm, while having a quiet drink at a friend’s house, from a solicitor asking for a document the next morning.”

While the credit crunch may be hitting home around the globe, Gary predicts that it is also likely to usher in a busy period for mergers and sales. He says: “Realistically, there may be more businesses that need to sell up or merge so it’s likely to be a good time to buy. I definitely think we’ll see expansion in that area in the coming months.”