Though every business owner hopes to always remain at its firm’s helm, there may come a time when new blood must take the reins. This change in operations must be handled sensitively for business continuity, while the person selected to step into the shoes of their predecessor must get up to speed with roles that they’ve never had to take ownership of before.
Steve Miller, managing director at Duncan Raistrick Estate Agents, found himself in this very position when the company’s founder – its namesake – decided to step down after 25 years of running the business.
Renowned as a reliable and experienced estate agency working across Cleveleys, Poulton, Lytham St Anne’s and the remainder of the Fylde Coast, Duncan Raistrick Estate Agents takes pride in offering a complete, personalised service from its high street base of operations in Blackpool.
Selected to overtake the running of the firm by the former owner 18 months ago, Steve was introduced to a side of the business where he had little to no experience.
Over its 25-year history, the estate agents has always been supported by Champion Accountants. Overseeing its accountancy and tax functions, our Blackpool practice has long been a valued asset to Duncan Raistrick. During the change in leadership, it was called upon to provide business consultancy to Steve in his new role as MD, delivering advice on how he could take charge in an operational capacity.
Steve said: “I’ve worked at Duncan Raistrick for 15 years; I know the business, and my original role as an estate agent, inside and out. When Duncan, our founder, asked me to take the reins I jumped at the challenge, but I knew it would be a learning curve. There was so much I didn’t know about accounting, paying wages, doing tax returns – these were things Duncan had always done, but it suddenly became my responsibility.
“David Hardy and his team in Blackpool have always been on hand to help the entire business, so I didn’t hesitate in turning to them for advice as I settled in to my new role. It soon became clear that their level of expertise went beyond traditional compliance; they were able to offer me sound, strategic advice in how to run the business and how I could step away from my previous role to take over operations, instead.
“Without their support, I’d have likely been teaching myself some of the crucial elements needed to run a business, and our continuity would’ve been disrupted. Their support during the change of hands from Duncan to myself was unwavering, and I couldn’t have got through it without them.”
While not every business will experience this shift change, for those who do, it’s important to know support is on hand to make the transition as seamless as possible. By working with us, our clients receive ongoing strategic consultancy on business operations which, when implemented, achieves continuity across the board, no matter who is at the helm.
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