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Azets

Fresh Perspectives

A Management , Business and Entrepreneurship podcast

#149 in Management · 🇬🇧
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About the show

Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

Newest episodes

#38 FINANCIAL HEADROOM - More Than Just a Metric for SMEs

25 min

Labour costs. Borrowing costs. Energy bills. Compliance obligations. The pressures on UK SMEs are not coming from one direction. They are coming from all of them at once. And for many businesses, the result is the same: less breathing space than they had two or three years ago. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Peter Gallanagh, UK&I CEO at Azets, about the real cost of doing business in 2026 and what it takes to stay ahead of it. Peter speaks to business owners across the UK every week and has a clear view of what separates the businesses navigating this well from the ones that are running out of road. The conversation centres on financial headroom, the breathing space between covering your costs and having enough flexibility to absorb shocks, make decisions and invest for growth. Peter's view is direct: businesses with financial headroom have options. Businesses without it do not. He also talks about what it takes to build that headroom gradually, why knowing your revenue is not enough and why the best thing any business owner can do right now is get closer to their advisors and their numbers. The fresh take is worth hearing on its own. Connect with Peter Gallanagh on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more abo...

#37 PAYROLL IS A TEAM SPORT - Why Compliance Can't Live in One Department

19 min

Most businesses think they are compliant on minimum wage because they pay above the legal rate. Most of the time they are wrong, not because they are cutting corners, but because the rules are far more detailed than they realise. Five minutes of unpaid prep time per employee per shift. A staff shop deduction. A Christmas savings scheme. Any of these can create a six-year liability calculated at today's rates. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Catriona Donald, Employment Tax Partner at Azets and one of the UK's most experienced voices on employment tax compliance. Catriona has been working in this field for 25 years and has a clear view of where businesses are exposed and what they need to do about it before HMRC or the new Fair Work Agency comes knocking. Catriona and Rob cover the most common payroll compliance mistakes, the sectors most at risk, why holiday pay is about to become a much bigger issue and what the mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind from April 2027 means in practice. The Fresh Take lands well: payroll compliance is a team sport. If your payroll, finance and operations teams are not talking to each other about working practices, you are exposed. This episode tells you what to do about it. Connect with Catriona Donald on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a rev...

#36 LIVE REACTION - UK Autumn Budget 2026

32 min

A fast, honest, and expert reaction to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2026. Recorded immediately after the announcement, this episode captures first impressions from Azets’ senior tax specialists. We unpack the headline measures, early implications for business owners, and what looks positive, challenging, or surprising at first glance. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

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All episodes

#38 FINANCIAL HEADROOM - More Than Just a Metric for SMEs

25 min

Labour costs. Borrowing costs. Energy bills. Compliance obligations. The pressures on UK SMEs are not coming from one direction. They are coming from all of them at once. And for many businesses, the result is the same: less breathing space than they had two or three years ago. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Peter Gallanagh, UK&I CEO at Azets, about the real cost of doing business in 2026 and what it takes to stay ahead of it. Peter speaks to business owners across the UK every week and has a clear view of what separates the businesses navigating this well from the ones that are running out of road. The conversation centres on financial headroom, the breathing space between covering your costs and having enough flexibility to absorb shocks, make decisions and invest for growth. Peter's view is direct: businesses with financial headroom have options. Businesses without it do not. He also talks about what it takes to build that headroom gradually, why knowing your revenue is not enough and why the best thing any business owner can do right now is get closer to their advisors and their numbers. The fresh take is worth hearing on its own. Connect with Peter Gallanagh on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more abo...

#37 PAYROLL IS A TEAM SPORT - Why Compliance Can't Live in One Department

19 min

Most businesses think they are compliant on minimum wage because they pay above the legal rate. Most of the time they are wrong, not because they are cutting corners, but because the rules are far more detailed than they realise. Five minutes of unpaid prep time per employee per shift. A staff shop deduction. A Christmas savings scheme. Any of these can create a six-year liability calculated at today's rates. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Catriona Donald, Employment Tax Partner at Azets and one of the UK's most experienced voices on employment tax compliance. Catriona has been working in this field for 25 years and has a clear view of where businesses are exposed and what they need to do about it before HMRC or the new Fair Work Agency comes knocking. Catriona and Rob cover the most common payroll compliance mistakes, the sectors most at risk, why holiday pay is about to become a much bigger issue and what the mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind from April 2027 means in practice. The Fresh Take lands well: payroll compliance is a team sport. If your payroll, finance and operations teams are not talking to each other about working practices, you are exposed. This episode tells you what to do about it. Connect with Catriona Donald on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a rev...

#36 LIVE REACTION - UK Autumn Budget 2026

32 min

A fast, honest, and expert reaction to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2026. Recorded immediately after the announcement, this episode captures first impressions from Azets’ senior tax specialists. We unpack the headline measures, early implications for business owners, and what looks positive, challenging, or surprising at first glance. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#35 STICK OR TWIST - What AIM Investors Should Do About the IHT Relief Cut

28 min

The rules of inheritance tax planning changed on 6 April 2026. The government halved IHT relief on qualifying AIM investments, from 100% to 50%, and pensions are set to come into scope from April 2027. For many investors who planned carefully over many years, the landscape looks very different now. The question is what to do about it. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Graeme Dreghorn, Director at Azets Wealth Management, about what the AIM relief change actually means for investors and how to approach the stick-or-twist decision that many are now facing. Graeme works closely with investors navigating these conversations and brings both the technical knowledge and the practical clarity that comes from sitting across the table from clients who are genuinely unsure what to do next. Graeme and Rob cover how the relief change has landed with investors, what the data tells us about who is acting and who is still waiting, what the alternatives look like for those who decide to move and how to think about estate planning as a whole rather than reacting to each change in isolation. With £1.7 billion still invested in AIM portfolios and pension changes on the horizon, the time to have this conversation is now. If you have an AIM portfolio, a pension, or an estate that is larger than you expected, this episode is for you. Connect with Graeme Dreghorn on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts chart...

#34 GETTING THE MONEY RIGHT - PART 2: A Practical Guide to SME Finance in 2026

20 min

Most business owners don't know what funding options are available to them. They go to their bank, they get a yes or a no, and they treat that as the final answer. It isn't. The funding market in 2026 is broader, more varied and more accessible than most SME owners realise. The gap is knowledge, not opportunity. In this second episode with Lee Humble, UK Head of Corporate Finance at Azets, Rob Brown gets into the practical detail. Which sectors attract the best financing terms right now. How regional variation in lending activity affects SME owners outside the major cities. What the execution risks are that kill deals even when everything else looks solid. And what the structures appearing more frequently in mid-market transactions actually mean for the business owner sitting across the table. Lee has seen every version of this conversation across hundreds of transactions. His view on the most common mistake business owners make when it comes to financing is worth the listen alone. The money is out there. Knowing how to access it, on the right terms, at the right time, is the skill that separates the businesses that grow from the ones that stall. Connect with Lee Humble on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets....

#33 PRIVATE CREDIT VS THE BANKS - PART 1: Who Wins and Who Loses?

26 min

The rules of business finance have changed. Interest rates have moved, lender priorities have shifted and the structures being used to get deals done look nothing like they did three years ago. If you are thinking about buying a business, selling one or just want to understand your financing options better, this episode is essential listening. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Lee Humble, UK Head of Corporate Finance at Azets, about how the debt market has evolved and what it means for SME owners navigating it right now. Lee advises businesses across the UK on transactions, funding and corporate finance and has a front row seat to how money is actually moving in the market today. Lee and Rob cover the rise of private credit and how it sits alongside traditional banking, why lenders are now focused on cash generation and resilience above almost everything else, why asset backing matters again and what happens when sellers are still pricing their businesses as if rates never moved. Connect with Lee Humble on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#32 HMRC IS WATCHING - What Charities and NFPs Need to Know in 2026

25 min

HMRC has changed how it scrutinises charities. It now uses AI-supported analytics to cross-reference tax filings, public records, social media and more than 30 external databases. Even minor inconsistencies can trigger a review. For charity trustees and finance leads, this is not a distant risk. It is a live one. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Siobhan Holmes, Partner specialising in charities and not-for-profit organisations at Azets, about the rise of Strategic Risk Reviews and what they mean for the sector. Siobhan has more than 25 years of experience advising charities on compliance, governance and tax and has a clear view of what HMRC is looking for and why the pace of activity has increased. Siobhan and Rob cover what a Strategic Risk Review actually is, why HMRC introduced them, what triggers one and what the consequences can be once a review is underway. The message for any trustee or finance lead in the charity sector is direct: the time to get your records in order is before the letter arrives, not after. If you are responsible for a charity's financial governance, this conversation is essential. Connect with Siobhan Holmes on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Con...

#31 THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP TAX - What's Holding Britain's SMEs Back

23 min

Britain built its reputation on the back of people who took risks. The entrepreneurs who started with nothing, backed themselves and built something. That spirit hasn't disappeared. But the conditions around it have changed and the tax system is a significant part of the story. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Praveen Gupta, UK Head of Tax at Azets, about what the current tax landscape is doing to entrepreneurs and the wider economy that depends on them. Praveen works directly with business builders across the UK and brings both the technical expertise and the personal conviction that comes from seeing this play out in real client conversations every week. Praveen and Rob cover the climate facing entrepreneurs right now, the structural barriers that the tax system creates at the moments when businesses need headroom most, and the economic and societal cost of getting this wrong. In the second half they turn to what better looks like. Specific reforms, underused levers and the message Praveen would take directly to the Chancellor. If you are building a business, advising one or making decisions about whether to take the leap, this episode is worth your time. Connect with Praveen Gupta on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjo...

#30 AI LIPSTICK - PART 2: Why Most SMEs Are Not Getting What They Paid For

24 min

Only 41% of UK SMEs say their workforce has the skills to use AI effectively. Only 45% say their AI investments have delivered a measurable return. Donald Boyd is not surprised. He has watched firms buy AI products without understanding their own processes first and then wonder why nothing changed. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Donald Boyd, UK Head of Growth at Azets, about what is actually happening with AI adoption inside UK SMEs. Donald's view is direct. The best use of AI right now is not AI out of the box. It is a root-and-branch understanding of business processes first. What many SMEs are buying instead is AI lipstick on existing software at higher prices. Donald and Rob also get into Making Tax Digital, why the shift from once-a-year compliance to four or five annual touchpoints is a commercial opportunity disguised as a regulatory burden, the case for government R&D support targeted at business process analysis rather than AI credits and why hiring a young person may be the most practical AI strategy available to a 10-person firm right now. Connect with Donald Boyd on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#29 THE RESILIENCE GAP - PART 1: Why Some SMEs Will Not Get Through This

21 min

The Azets Barometer told us something interesting. Split almost down the middle. 46% of SMEs pessimistic. 43% optimistic. Donald Boyd has been advising SME businesses for over 30 years and says the data reflects reality. It depends on the business. It depends on the owner. And right now, the average sentiment is uncertain. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Donald Boyd, UK Head of Growth at Azets, about the real mood inside UK businesses as we reach the middle of 2026. Donald draws on direct client conversations, not surveys, to explain what is happening on the ground. Labour costs are the number one pressure. Margins are tightening. And a chunk of the SME market is, in his words, in recession. Donald and Rob cover what separates the businesses navigating this from the ones that will not make it through, why the 13-week cash flow is the single most practical tool most SMEs still are not using and what good advisory looks like when a business owner is running out of runway. The message is direct. If you are running your business off a bank statement, you need to have a serious conversation with your advisors. Connect with Donald Boyd on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact...

#28 DEBT OR EQUITY - How Businesses Should Think About Funding Growth

26 min

Most business owners think about funding when they need it. By that point, their options have already narrowed. Whether you are investing in technology, expanding into new markets, making an acquisition or just funding the next stage of growth, the question of how to finance it is one of the most consequential decisions a business makes. Get it right and your capital structure works for you. Get it wrong and it works against you. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown is joined by two Azets specialists: Mark Barrie, UK Head of Debt Advisory, and Lee Humble, UK Head of Corporate Finance. Together they break down the real difference between debt and equity, what each brings beyond the money itself and the misconceptions that cost business owners flexibility and options. Mark and Lee cover how lenders are assessing opportunities in the current market, the mistakes businesses make when they raise finance, and why choosing on price alone is one of the most expensive decisions you can make. The fresh take from both is clear: give yourself time, give yourself options and take advice from people who do this every day. Connect with Mark Barrie on LinkedIn. Connect with Lee Humble on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets a...

#27 DEBT DECISIONS - Is Now the Right Time To Refinance

20 min

One business owner had stacked so many loans that his monthly repayments hit £35,000. He was profitable. He was thinking about selling up because the debt had become unbearable. Mark Barrie's team reviewed his position, went to market and consolidated everything into a single facility. Monthly repayments dropped to under £10,000. He took the business off the market. That story sits at the heart of this episode. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Mark Barrie, Head of Debt Advisory at Azets, about what financial headroom actually means in practice, how to tell if yours is reducing and what the first steps look like for a business that wants to get ahead of its funding position before it becomes a problem. Mark brings 20 years of banking experience alongside his work at Azets and has a direct, practical view of where businesses go wrong and what good looks like. Mark and Rob cover the warning signs that a business should review its funding, why the cash flow forecast is the most important document most businesses are not producing properly, what the risks of leaving refinancing too late actually are and what good financial headroom looks like in the current environment. The Fresh Take lands simply: build a cash flow forecast. It sounds basic. Most businesses still are not doing it properly. Connect with Mark Barrie on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follo...

#26 CASH IS KING - PART 2: The Decisions SME Leaders Can't Keep Putting Off

13 min

When Peter Gallanagh wants to know how a business is really doing, he does not ask the owner. He asks the receptionist. That instinct for ground-level truth is what runs through this conversation. In this second episode drawn from Rob Brown's fireside chat with Peter, UK&I CEO at Azets, the focus shifts to what great accounting advice looks like in practice. Peter talks about keeping a personal client portfolio despite running a business of 3,500 people, why the Azets Barometer tells him more about cumulative pressure than any single data point, and how he balances the demands of multiple stakeholders above and below against a purpose built around clients, colleagues and communities. Peter and Rob also get into how leaders reset after a hard year, what renowned football manager Alex Ferguson's 20 minutes of reflection says about the mindset required at the top, and why communication is the difference between a great plan and a business that actually moves. Connect with Peter Gallanagh on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#25 DON'T WAIT FOR CERTAINTY - PART 1: How SME Leaders Stay in the Game

12 min

SMEs are not fearful right now. They are cautious. There is a difference, and Peter Gallanagh, UK&I CEO at Azets, is clear about what it means in practice. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Peter about the pressure building across the UK's small and mid-sized business community. Not one single issue but a cumulative weight of inflationary pressure, taxation changes, labour shortages and higher borrowing costs landing all at once. The businesses navigating it best are not the ones predicting the future perfectly. They are the ones adapting to it fastest. Peter and Rob cover what it takes to lead well in an ambiguous environment, why not taking decisions is more dangerous than taking wrong ones, and what the trusted advisor relationship looks like when a business owner is exhausted and the financial advice barely scratches the surface of what they actually need. Peter's message is direct: it is not always the business at all costs. Sometimes it is the person at all costs. Knowing the difference is what separates a good advisor from a great one. Connect with Peter Gallanagh on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#24 STRONGER TOGETHER - The Ireland-UK Business Case

24 min

Cross-border trade between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has grown from £4.5 billion to £17.5 billion over the past decade. That number tells you something important about the Ireland-UK business relationship – and huge commercial opportunity. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown talks with Neil Hughes, Ireland CEO at Azets, about the SME market on both sides of the Irish Sea. Neil draws on a career that began working weekends in his father's practice in the southeast of Ireland and has grown into leading a 325-person business spanning Dublin, Belfast and beyond. He knows this market from the ground up. Neil and Rob cover the shift from number-crunching to trusted advice, the all-island commercial opportunity that Azets' Belfast expansion has created, the sectors holding up well in an uncertain environment and the practical case for UK businesses looking west. Neil's advice to any SME owner who hasn't yet explored a cross-border proposition is direct: price gets you in the game, service wins it, and the first step is simpler than you think. Connect with Neil Hughes on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#23 Q1 2026 BAROMETER - Why SMEs Still Back Themselves

33 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives goes behind the numbers of the latest Azets Barometer to explore how SME leaders are navigating uncertainty, resilience, investment and growth in 2026. Rob Brown is joined by Peter Gallanagh, UK&I CEO at Azets, to unpack the findings from Azets’ quarterly business sentiment survey and explain what they reveal about the mindset of UK business owners right now. We explore why many SMEs remain cautious about the wider economy while still backing their own businesses to grow, how leaders are responding to geopolitical and economic uncertainty and why agility and fast decision-making are becoming more important than ever. Peter explains why resilience is no longer only about cash reserves, how succession planning is moving higher up the agenda and why businesses are still struggling to turn AI ambition into practical implementation. We also discuss labour costs, foreign investment, leadership confidence and the growing need for accountants and advisers to act as true strategic partners rather than compliance providers. This episode offers practical insight for SME owners trying to stay resilient, move faster and make smarter decisions in an increasingly volatile business environment. You can connect with Peter Gallanagh on LinkedIn. Download the latest Azets Barometer here: Azets Barometer Q1 2026. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to...

#22 MAKING TAX DIGITAL - What You Need To Do Now

21 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and what it means for business owners, landlords and the self-employed as the biggest change to the UK tax system in decades comes into effect. Rob Brown is joined by Anita Holmes, MTD Client Services Director at Azets, and Stuart Miller, Director of Product Compliance and Industry Engagement at Xero, to explain what the new rules mean in practice and who is impacted. We cover the key dates, what quarterly reporting involves and whether this marks the end of the traditional self-assessment process. The discussion highlights how prepared businesses really are, with recent data showing that most people have yet to take meaningful steps towards compliance. Anita shares insights from Azets’ involvement in the HMRC beta programme, including common client concerns and where businesses are already facing challenges. We also look at the potential benefits of this shift, including improved visibility, better decision making and fewer last-minute surprises, as well as how the rules may evolve in the coming years. You can connect with Anita Holmes and Stuart Miller on LinkedIn +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk...

#21 EXPANDING BEYOND THE UK - How To Avoid Costly Mistakes

28 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores what UK SMEs need to consider as they expand internationally and why global growth is often more complex than expected. Rob Brown is joined by Michael Holland and Annie Hughes from Blick Rothenberg to discuss the practical realities of international expansion. We explore why businesses often underestimate the complexity involved, where things tend to go wrong and the risks of moving too quickly without the right structure or advice in place. Michael shares what a typical expansion journey looks like for SMEs and where businesses most commonly get caught out, from tax and compliance to operational planning. Annie brings the personal perspective, highlighting the impact on founders, leadership teams and individuals working across borders, and the implications many overlook. We also discuss how businesses can approach international growth more effectively, what to focus on early and how joined-up advice across Azets and Blick Rothenberg helps clients navigate cross-border challenges with greater confidence. You can connect with Michael Holland and Annie Hughes on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#20 CHARITIES AND BUSINESS - Much More in Common Than You Think

33 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores the financial challenges facing charities and not-for-profits, why the sector is under more pressure than most people realise, and what trustees and business leaders need to know right now. Rob Brown is joined by Siobhan Holmes, Partner at Azets and specialist in charity and NFP work, who brings a rare perspective from both sides of the table. She audits and advises charities in her day job and serves as a trustee and treasurer on a voluntary basis, including at the hospice where she started her career 14 years ago. Siobhan explains the scale of the charity sector, the financial pressures bearing down on it, and why 60% of hospices are already cutting services. She talks about what charity boards often miss when it comes to financial governance, why cash flow matters more than most trustees realise, and how to understand the difference between income on paper and cash in the bank. You can connect with Siobhan Holmes on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#19 RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS - Why Doing Good Drives Growth & Purpose

35 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores how businesses can balance commercial success with meaningful social impact and why purpose is becoming central to long-term sustainability. Rob Brown is joined by Peter Gallanagh, UK & Ireland CEO at Azets, to discuss the firm’s partnership with The King’s Trust and what it means to be a responsible business today. We explore how organisations can move beyond profit alone, why alignment of values matters when choosing partners and how purpose can bring people together across a growing business. Peter explains how Azets has embedded its purpose of improving the lives of clients, colleagues and communities into the business, and how this partnership supports that in practice. We discuss what involvement looks like day to day, from mentoring and enterprise challenges to fundraising and community engagement, and how giving people different ways to contribute drives participation across the firm. The conversation also looks at what businesses gain from partnerships like this beyond reputation, including stronger employee engagement, better collaboration and the development of future skills such as empathy, resilience and communication. We explore how social responsibility is becoming increasingly important to younger talent and how it influences recruitment, retention and culture. Peter also shares how Azets measures success in these partnerships, why long-term commitment matters more than short-term activity and how businesses can approach building their own partnerships in a way that is authentic, sustainable and aligned to their values. You can connect with Peter Gallanagh on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum,...

#18 THE INSOLVENCY TOOLKIT - How Businesses Survive Financial Difficulty

20 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores what restructuring and insolvency actually mean for business owners, why early advice makes all the difference and what options exist long before a company reaches the point of no return. Rob Brown is joined by Matthew Richards, Joint Head of Restructuring and Insolvency at Azets, to discuss the current pressures facing UK businesses and why rising costs, national insurance changes and global uncertainty are keeping insolvency professionals busier than they have been in years. Matt explains the difference between restructuring and insolvency, why the two are more closely related than most people think and what tools are available to directors who act early. We explore what wrongful trading means and why directors can be personally liable if they continue trading without a realistic prospect of survival. Matt walks through the practical steps any business owner can take right now, including how to build a 13-week cash flow, how to sensitise a forecast and when to have a conversation with a specialist. The episode also covers the emotional weight of financial difficulty, why most business failures are not the owner's fault and how insolvency can sometimes be the beginning of something new rather than the end. You can connect with Matthew Richards on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your fav...

#17 THE MODERN CFO - How Finance Shapes the Future

13 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores how the role of finance is evolving as businesses grow and why SMEs need forward-looking insight rather than backward reporting. Rob Brown is joined by Neil Martin, Group CFO at Azets, to discuss what business owners often miss when they are focused on day-to-day operations and how experienced financial perspectives can unlock better decisions. We talk about what tends to break first as businesses scale, the early signs a finance function is no longer fit for purpose and why growth requires different thinking at each stage. Neil explains how a modern CFO should act as a sparring partner, helping to challenge assumptions, prioritise decisions and look around the corner. We also discuss the importance of setting a clear North Star, how decision-making changes when leaders extend their time horizon and when it may be time to bring in or upgrade financial leadership. The episode also covers practical thinking on AI for SMEs, including where to start, how to learn from others and why curiosity plays a critical role in understanding new technology. You can connect with Neil Martin on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#16 SOCIAL IMPACT - Why Business Must Do More Than Make Money

26 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores why social impact is no longer optional for modern businesses and how responsible partnerships can strengthen performance, culture and long-term value. Rob Brown is joined by Ben Marson, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at The King’s Trust. Together they discuss the role businesses can play in supporting young people, why social investment matters more than ever and how partnerships like Azets and The King’s Trust create value for customers, colleagues and communities alike. The conversation looks at the work of The King’s Trust, the challenges facing young people today and how businesses can move beyond traditional philanthropy toward meaningful, long-term impact. This episode will resonate with SME owners and leaders who believe business should be a force for good while still delivering commercial success. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#15 AI THAT PAYS OFF - How SMEs Move Beyond Tools To Outcomes

20 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores how SMEs can use AI and automation to improve efficiency, reduce risk and support business growth. Rob Brown is joined for the final time in this three-part series by Charles Richards, UK Head of Digital Client Service at Azets, to discuss how SMEs should think about AI in terms of outcomes rather than tools. We look at where automation delivers quick wins, how AI can free up time for higher value work and why strong data foundations matter. Charles explains how SMEs can move beyond experimentation by prioritising the biggest pain points, setting clear governance and building confidence through approved tools and learning frameworks. We also explore how AI can support growth by surfacing insights, improving decision making and enabling more personalised customer experiences. This is Part 3 of a three-part series and brings together customer service, technology and AI into a practical framework for SME leaders. You can connect with Charles Richards on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#14 HIGH TECH, HIGH TRUST - Balancing Technology With A Human Touch

18 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives looks at how SMEs can balance technology with a human touch to improve customer experience without damaging trust. Rob Brown is joined again by Charles Richards, UK Head of Digital Client Service at Azets, to explore which customer interactions should be digital first and which must remain human led. We discuss how automation can remove friction, free up time and improve consistency while still preserving empathy, judgement and accountability. Charles shares practical insight into designing seamless handoffs between digital and human support, avoiding dead ends in customer journeys and ensuring customers always know who is accountable. We also explore the role of service analytics, role based learning and digital champions in helping teams use technology confidently. This is Part 2 of a three-part series and builds on Episode 13 by showing how technology can strengthen service rather than replace human connection. You can connect with Charles Richards on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#13 CUSTOMER SERVICE DONE WELL: What SMEs Get Right and Wrong

17 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores what great customer service really means for SMEs and why it is a growth lever rather than a hygiene factor. Rob Brown is joined by Charles Richards, UK Head of Digital Client Service at Azets, to unpack how customer experience directly affects retention, lifetime value, referrals and team engagement. We discuss why clear service standards matter, how SMEs can listen properly to customer feedback, and where service breakdowns most commonly occur. The conversation focuses on the moments that matter most to customers, including onboarding, issue resolution, renewals and pricing conversations. Charles explains how SMEs can use feedback loops, simple metrics and leadership visibility to improve service without over engineering the process. This is Part 1 of a three-part series on customer service, technology and AI, and sets the foundation for how SMEs can deliver consistently strong experiences. You can connect with Charles Richards on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#12 CORPORATE FINANCE REALITY - How Deals Actually Get Done

27 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores the current corporate finance landscape in the UK and what it really means for SME business owners navigating growth, investment, acquisitions and exit decisions. Rob Brown is joined by Lee Humble, UK Head of Corporate Finance at Azets, to discuss why recent tax changes have slowed activity, how economic and political uncertainty is affecting decision making, and why opportunities still exist for well-prepared businesses. They cover recruitment challenges, access to finance, rising overseas interest in UK businesses, and the importance of understanding the right route forward before making major decisions. Lee also explains what corporate finance support actually involves, how strong advisory teams add value beyond transactions, and why informed advice matters most in uncertain markets. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#11 EMPLOYMENT ENFORCEMENT SHIFT – Inside The New Fair Work Agency

32 min

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, we unpack the introduction of the Fair Work Agency (FWA) and what it means for employers ahead of its launch in April. Rob Brown is joined by Hannah-Jane Dobbie, Head of HR Consultancy at Azets, and Julie Gunnell, Associate Director of Payroll Growth, to explore why the FWA has been introduced, the powers it will hold, and the consequences for businesses that fail to comply. The conversation covers enforcement changes under the Employment Rights Act, expanded inspection powers, penalties and naming-and-shaming risks, and why payroll and HR accuracy will become central evidence points for compliance. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#10 CONSTRUCTION TAX ALERT - Why More Businesses Get This Wrong

20 min

This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores the Construction Industry Scheme and why it presents a growing risk for businesses well beyond traditional construction firms. Rob Brown is joined by Jo Gander, Employment Tax Adviser at Azets, who explains why the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) remains one of the most complex and high-risk areas of employment tax. They look at how HMRC scrutiny is increasing, why many businesses wrongly assume CIS does not apply to them, and how firms can become exposed without realising it. Jo Gander is an Employment Tax Adviser at Azets with specialist expertise in the Construction Industry Scheme. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#9 2026 OUTLOOK - What SME Business Owners Can Expect This Year

25 min

One month down in 2026 and business owners continue to face uncertainty, rising costs, and increasing pressure to make the right decisions at speed. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown is joined by Peter Gallanagh, UK & Ireland CEO at Azets, to unpack what the year is likely to bring for SME leaders. Peter reflects on the structural challenges businesses are carrying forward, from cost pressures and access to finance to automation, AI and leadership strain. He explains why clarity, scenario planning and strong adviser relationships will be critical in helping businesses stay resilient and confident. The conversation also explores what strong leadership needs to look like in 2026, how owners can balance caution with growth, and why advisers who understand the full picture of a business are best placed to help navigate what comes next. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#8 TIPPING POINT - The Rules Hospitality Businesses Can’t Afford To Ignore

21 min

In this episode, we explore the Tipping Act and what it means for employers, payroll teams, and HR leaders, with expert insight from Hannah-Jane Dobbie and Julie Gunnell. We break down what qualifies as a tip, how service charges should be handled, and the responsibilities businesses now carry around fairness, transparency, and record keeping. The discussion also looks ahead to changes coming in October 2026, including new consultation requirements and policy updates, and what employers should be doing now to stay compliant and avoid risk. In this conversation we cover the difference between tips and service charges, which businesses are most affected, how payroll and HR must work together, the consequences of non-compliance, and why proactive advice is critical as employment legislation continues to evolve. Hannah-Jane Dobbie is Head of HR Consultancy at Azets, supporting employers with complex people and employment challenges. Connect with Hannah-Jane on LinkedIn. Julie Gunnell is Associate Director of Growth for Payroll at Azets, advising businesses on compliant and transparent payroll processes. Connect with Julie on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#7 CASHFLOW CONFIDENCE - PART 2: The Cash Hidden In Your Business

16 min

In Part 2 of Cash Flow Confidence, we continue the conversation with Matthew Grant, following on from Part 1 where we explored why profitable businesses still run into trouble because of cash flow. In Part 1 Matthew unpacked the most common cash flow mistakes he sees in growing SMEs, from weak terms of trade and slow debtor management to a lack of visibility over the true cash position of the business. In this second part, the focus shifts from awareness to action. Matthew breaks down three practical operational levers that can unlock cash already sitting inside a business: the sales cycle, the purchases cycle and the stock cycle. We also discuss why forecasting and scenario planning are now essential disciplines, and how SMEs can use the right systems, processes and tools to stay ahead of cash pressure rather than constantly firefighting. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#6 LEADING AT SCALE - Purpose, People, Performance. In That Order.

31 min

In this episode, Chris Horne, CEO of Azets Group, reflects on what it really means to lead a people-first, tech-enabled accountancy group at scale. From fast-tracked digitisation in the pandemic to scaling across eight countries through selective M&A, Chris explains why alignment beats speed alone - because direction builds an army, not crowd control. The future of accountancy, Chris argues, is ‘full stack’, with AI for insight and benchmarking, humans for trust and relationships, and culture as the connective tissue. Looking ahead to 2026 with optimism, Chris reinforces a leadership philosophy that doubles as Azets’ competitive edge: purpose, people, performance. In that order. Great data needs great people to deliver it, and sustainable growth starts with a story everyone can genuinely believe and repeat. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#5 CASHFLOW CONFIDENCE - PART 1: The Five Rules SMEs Overlook

22 min

In this episode, we delve into the essentials of cash flow confidence with expert insights from Matthew Grant, a seasoned expert in financial advisory. Discover the five critical areas where SMEs often falter, including robust terms of trade, handling non-paying clients, understanding the cash conversion cycle, utilising payment gateways, and offering early payment discounts to strengthen business relationships. Join us as we explore these vital topics and uncover common mistakes businesses make in managing cash flow. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#4 BUDGET INSIGHTS – What Employers Need to Know Now

20 min

Recorded one week after the UK Autumn Statement 2025, this episode looks at the employment tax impact, featuring Jez Howson, Employment Tax Partner at Azets. Jez explains the real-world implications for employers as wage inflation, pension changes and national insurance adjustments reshape workforce costs. We explore the risks, the opportunities and the actions businesses should be taking now. The conversation covers national minimum wage increases, pension salary sacrifice changes, IR35 and off-payroll labour considerations, umbrella company risks and how employers can stay ahead of rising compliance pressures. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#3 WEALTH WARNING – The Quiet Tax Changes Hidden in The Budget

20 min

This episode looks at the private client impact of the Autumn Budget, featuring Jodie Barwick Bell, Private Client Partner at Azets. Jodie explains how the changes affect property owners, wealthy families and business owners, exploring what the new rules mean for investments, inheritance tax and the broader planning landscape. The conversation covers cover property income tax increases, structuring options, investment portfolios, ISAs, family investment companies, dividend changes, EIS opportunities, the new council tax surcharge, inheritance tax reform, estate planning, trusts, pension changes and what families need to prepare for ahead of April 2026. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#2 ONE WEEK ON - Business Tax & Manufacturing in Focus

30 min

This episode explores the key tax changes emerging in the week following the Budget and what they mean in practice for UK businesses. Tax expert Claire Smailes breaks down the measures that matter most, how they affect investment, remuneration, transactions and compliance, and what manufacturing businesses should pay particular attention to. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

#1 LIVE REACTION - UK Autumn Budget 2025

26 min

A fast, honest, and expert reaction to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2025. Recorded immediately after the announcement, this episode captures first impressions from Azets’ senior tax specialists. We unpack the headline measures, early implications for business owners, and what looks positive, challenging, or surprising at first glance. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

S3 Ep.10: UK Spring Statement 2025 Special

14 min

In this special UK Spring Statement 2025 episode, host Emma Sheppard is joined by a panel of Azets’ expert advisers for live reaction to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ latest fiscal update. They explore the implications for business, tax, and the wider economy - examining how Labour’s evolving policies are shaping the path to growth and investment across the UK. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, subscribe, rate and review, and share Bang the Drum with others who you think might enjoy it. Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk. Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international advisory, outsourcing, and compliance Group. Find out more at www.azets.co.uk. #BangTheDrum

S3 Ep9: Managing Your Finances: The Fundamentals

48 min

Ready to build a solid financial foundation for long-term success? Tune into the latest episode of Bang the Drum for expert insights on budgeting, investing, and risk management. In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Jonathan Gibson, Chair of the Charted Institute for Securities and Investment in Scotland, and Graeme Dreghorn, Director with Azets Wealth Management. They dive into the essential strategies business owners and entrepreneurs need to efficiently manage their finances and plan with confidence. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, subscribe, rate, and share Bang the Drum with others you think might enjoy it! Contact with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk. Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.co.uk. #BangTheDrum

S3 Ep8: Where Next? Planning for Success

50 min

Want to craft a strategic and agile plan that drives sustainable growth? Tune into the latest Bang the Drum episode for key frameworks and best practices to navigate today’s fast-paced business world.  In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Emma Jones, Founder of Enterprise Nation, Paul Millard, Owner of Alchemy Creations, and Katie Watson, Accounting & Business Advisory Services Director at Azets.   From aligning vision with action to staying flexible in times of change, this episode offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs and leaders aiming for long-term success.  Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts.    Listen, subscribe, rate, and share Bang the Drum with others you think might enjoy it!  Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk.    Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.co.uk.    #BangTheDrum 

S3 Ep7: Funding Growth

48 min

Curious about how venture capital and private equity can fuel your business growth? Stream the latest episode of Bang the Drum to uncover key strategies for securing investment! In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Ian Wilson, Fund Principal at Mercia Asset Management, and Lee Humble, UK Head of Corporate Finance at Azets. They explore the world of VC and PE funding, unravelling their impact on business growth. Join them as they dive into strategies for businesses to identify, approach, and secure investment, providing valuable insights into each funding avenue and practical tips for accessing them effectively. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, subscribe, rate, and share Bang the Drum with others you think might enjoy it! Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk. Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.co.uk. #BangTheDrum

S3 Ep6: Salary Advance and Earned Wage Access

42 min

Wondering how pay-on-demand models like Salary Advance impact employees and employers? Dive into the latest episode of Bang the Drum! In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Jason Davenport, CEO of The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), and Stephen Abbotts, Director of Payroll Services at Azets. They investigate pay-on-demand as an emerging model, evaluating its sustainability and implications. Delving into the benefits and drawbacks for employees and employers, considering its impact on financial stability, productivity, and employee satisfaction. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, subscribe, rate, and share Bang the Drum with others you think might enjoy it! Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk. Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.co.uk. #BangTheDrum

S3 Ep5: Credit Ratings: Why Bother?

41 min

Curious about how credit ratings impact business growth? Dive into the latest episode of Bang the Drum!  In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Paul Surtees, CEO and Co-Founder Capitalise; and Fraser Campbell, UK Head of Accounts & Business Advisory at Azets.  They examine the significance of credit ratings, highlighting how credit rating hygiene can shape the trajectory of growing businesses, whilst exploring the impact of credit ratings on access to finance, supplier relationships, and business growth.  Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts.  Listen, subscribe, rate, and share Bang the Drum with others you think might enjoy it!  Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk.  Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.co.uk.  #BangTheDrum 

S3 Ep4: Money Matters in Sport

45 min

Are you a sports enthusiast curious about the financial side of the game? Dive into the latest episode of Bang The Drum! In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Gareth Griffins, Managing Director at Pro Sports Wealth; and Lee Stott, a Tax Partner at Azets. They uncover the complexities of tax in sport, discussing the unique challenges and considerations faced by athletes, clubs, and governing bodies, and the intricacies of taxation on player contracts, sponsorship deals, and international transfers. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, subscribe, rate, and share Bang the Drum with others sports fans! Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk. Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international advisory, outsourcing, and compliance advisory Group. Find out more at azets.co.uk. #BangTheDrum

S3 Ep.3: UK Autumn Budget 2024

24 min

In this special UK Autumn Budget 2024 episode, six of Azets’ expert advisors join host Emma Sheppard for live reaction to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcements. They discuss the potential impact on business and how Labour tax reforms and support initiatives could shape the economic landscape and future growth. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts.  Listen, subscribe, rate and review, and share Bang the Drum with others who you think might enjoy it.  Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk.  Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international advisory, outsourcing, and compliance Group. Find out more at www.azets.co.uk. #BangTheDrum 

S3 Ep2: Driving Change

38 min

Ready to supercharge your business with electric vehicles? Tune in to the latest episode of Bang The Drum! In this episode, Emma Sheppard is joined by Tom Baker, Partnerships Manager at Octopus EV; Richard Whitelock, Partner & Head of Employer Solutions at Azets; and David Pinner, Employee Benefits Consultant in Azets Wealth Management. We explore the transformative journey of EV adoption in the corporate sector, weighing its benefits and drawbacks. Emma and the guests in this week’s episode delve into the economic, logistical, and environmental considerations of transitioning to electric vehicles for company fleets.  Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, Subscribe, Rate and Review, and Share Bang the Drum with others who you think might enjoy it. Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk. Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.co.uk. #BangTheDrum

S3 Ep1: The Domino Effect of National Minimum Wage Compliance

47 min

Bang the Drum is back! The chart-topping podcast for ambitious businesses and their owners returns for an exciting third season, with topics including tax in sport, why credit ratings matter, the fundamentals of wealth management, and driving change through EV adoption.  Kicking off S3, host Emma Sheppard is joined by Justine Riccomini, Head of Tax for Employment & Devolved Taxes at ICAS, and Kyle Newton, a Tax Director at Azets, to discuss national minimum wage (NMW) compliance.  Complying with NNW rules can be compared to a game of dominos: if one pillar falls, the whole lot does. Discover the steps businesses must take to identify risks and ensure compliance.  Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts.  Listen, subscribe, rate and review, and share Bang the Drum with others who you think might enjoy it. Contact Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk.   Find more about Azets at www.azets.co.uk.    #BangTheDrum 

S2 Ep8: UK Spring Statement Special

18 min

In this special UK Spring Statement episode, four of Azets’ tax experts join host Emma Sheppard for live reaction to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s statement. Predictions for tax reforms in the UK Spring Budget 2024, ahead of the upcoming general election, are generating significant anticipation. How might these expected reforms influence the overall economic landscape and fiscal outlook? Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, subscribe, rate and review, and share Bang the Drum with others who you think might enjoy it. Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.com #BangTheDrum

S2 Ep7: The Social Entrepreneur

45 min

Host Emma Sheppard is joined by Hayley Kingsnorth, Partner of Accounting and Business Advisory Services at Azets and Mark Rose, Employer Engagement Lead at Bemix. With the growth of social enterprises, more businesses are being founded to build a better world. From reducing of economic inequality and improving social justice, to implementing environmental sustainability, the panel explores the world of social enterprises. Bang the Drum has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Listen, subscribe, rate and review, and share Bang the Drum with others who you think might enjoy it. Get in touch with Bang the Drum at podcast@azets.co.uk. Bang the Drum is brought to you by Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Find out more at azets.com. #BangTheDrum

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