Champion Round-Up | 13th December

Champion Round-Up | By Ged Cosgrove, group managing partner

As another year comes to a close, and the festive break draws near, December offers the perfect moment to reflect on Champion’s achievements and highlights over the past 12 months.

This year, we welcomed our latest cohort of trainees to the Champion family. With many of our senior colleagues and directors beginning their careers here as trainees, we are proud to continue our tradition of developing talent in-house. It’s a privilege to mentor and support these young professionals as they embark on their financial careers.

Across the group, our colleagues achieved 85 exam qualifications this year – an outstanding milestone that showcases their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. We were also thrilled to see Max Kilshaw and Liam Thompson in Preston complete their trainee journeys recently, becoming our newest fully qualified accountants. Watching your careers flourish at Champion has been a privilege, and this achievement marks an exciting new chapter in your journey with us. Congratulations to all!

We also celebrated several personal milestones, including the retirements of long-standing colleagues Stephen Robinson in Preston and Andy Boniface in Blackpool. Their remarkable contributions over the years have left a lasting legacy at Champion, and we wish them the very best in their well-earned retirements.

One of our most exciting developments this year was the launch of our fully digitised payroll service, led by Danielle Molyneux and Stacey Daynes in Manchester. This innovative offering leverages cutting-edge accounting technology, enabling businesses to streamline their payroll processes quickly and hassle-free. This rollout is a testament to our commitment to adopting solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and marks a significant expansion of our service portfolio.

In addition to welcoming a number of new clients, we were proud to play a key role in some of the most noteworthy M&A deals. A particular highlight was our partnership with long-time client Fox Group, where we supported a months-long demerger and restructuring project to prepare for a major transaction. From managing tax liabilities to addressing commercial implications, this project exemplified our dedication to delivering tailored expertise.

As we approach 2025, Champion is actively supporting businesses in planning for the year ahead. With the Labour government’s Budget set to take full effect in April, now is the time to put proactive strategies in place. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Champion advisor.

I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to our clients, associates, and our incredible team for making 2024 such a successful and memorable year. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a prosperous 2025!