Target advises on ICT acquisition deal for Tribune

New EU law threatens local businesses and jobs, expert warns

Small businesses set to lose out in payroll shake-up, expert warns

Target helps raise £2.4m for Ethical Power

Target help raise £2.4m for Ethical Power

Target advises on sale of UK tech firm Snow Valley

Target Corporate Finance has played a key role in the acquisition of e-commerce and technology firm Snow Valley to American owned MICROS-Fidelio UK. The Bristol corporate finance team, led by Managing Director Mark Harman, were advisors to Snow Valley on the deal, which will help further its expansion into Europe. Founded 10 years ago by CEO Carlo Rimini, the Berkshire-based firm has grown into an award-winning business, with clients including Majestic Wine, Clarks Shoes and the Ordinance Survey. Commenting on the deal, Mark Harman said: “Snow Valley and MICROS are a perfect fit. The two

Target seal third deal for Aspire Global Network

BOUTIQUE advisory firm Target Corporate Finance has advised on a third acquisition for London-based media recruitment agency Aspire Global Network, formally known as Phee Farrer Jones (pfj). The Bristol based corporate finance team led by Managing Director, Mark Harman, were advisors to Aspire Global Network on the deal, which saw it acquire a majority stake in London creative recruitment specialist, Periscope. Founded 13 years ago, Periscope joins Aspire’s global network of specialist recruitment companies, which include pfj, The Graduate Recruitment Company, RPCushing, and Sydney-based

Target Corporate Finance advises on £18.6m Nautilus Deal

BOUTIQUE advisory firm Target Corporate Finance has played a key role in the £18.6m acquisition of UK and US based Nautilus Limited and Nautilus World Limited by FTSE 250 company RPS Group Plc. Nautilus, which was founded 12 years ago, provides specialist geosciences training to the oil and gas industry. This year the Berkshire firm expects to deliver more than 300 courses worldwide from its bases in the UK and US. Nautilus’ founders, Neil and Angie Harbury, were advised on the deal by the Bristol based Target Corporate Finance team, led by associate director Jim Shaw. Jim Shaw of Target

Target Corporate Finance expands with new Bristol office

Target Corporate Finance expands with new Bristol office BOUTIQUE advisory firm Target Corporate Finance has expanded into Bristol, with the opening of new offices in Temple Quay. Managing Director, Mark Harman, founded the firm in 2005, expanding the services of his Bath-based company Target Chartered Accountants, and says the move is a key step in furthering its presence across the South West. “The majority of our deal activity takes place in Bristol, so whilst Target Corporate Finance will still maintain a presence in Bath, the new office will become its main base in the region,” Mark

Accountants call for sweeping tax reform

MOVES to reform the tax system must introduce ‘sweeping change’ if the government is to succeed in its aim of attracting international investment, a leading tax expert is warning.MOVES to reform the tax system must introduce ‘sweeping change’ if the government is to succeed in its aim of attracting international investment, a leading tax expert is warning. Stuart Rogers, International Tax Consultant at Target Chartered Accountants, has welcomed government plans to set up an Office for Tax Simplification, but argues that a more radical shake-up is needed if the UK is to compete

Employers urged not to red card the World Cup!

EMPLOYERS need to be ahead of the game when it comes to dealing with potential HR issues arising from the FIFA World Cup, a leading HR expert is warning. According to Debbie Taylor, Director of Target HR Consultancy, if employers don’t take action now they could leave themselves open to an own goal in terms of work place absences. “There are group stage matches taking place during traditional 9-5pm working hours, so if nothing else, employers should ensure their staff are aware of company policies regarding sickness and last minute holiday leave, including return to work interviews” Debbie

Major Acquisition for Granada Learning

Major acquisition for Granada Learning London-based school assessment specialist, Granada Learning Group, has boosted its position in the education sector following a major acquisition. Bath firm, Target Chartered Accountants, carried out the due diligence work on the deal for Granada Learning, which saw it acquire the trade and assets of Newcastle-based Kirkland Rowland, the UK’s largest independent supplier of stakeholder surveys for schools. The move is part of Granada Learning’s ongoing expansion into the education sector, as it looks to strengthen its position as the leading provider

Tax rates drive upward trend in corporate finance deals

THE number of business owners selling up to take advantage of low Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates is on the increase, according to Target Corporate Finance. The Bath-based firm has already seen a flurry of deals and enquiries over the past few weeks and says that this trend is set to continue. They cite the doubling of Entrepreneur’s relief in last month’s Budget and growing speculation that CGT rates could increase after the election as key drivers. Mark Harman, Head of Target Corporate Finance, said: “With CGT rates likely to rise sometime this year, there is a window of opportunity for

HR expert slams to 'time to train' incentive

LEGISLATION designed to give employees better access to training has been labelled ‘a waste of time’ by a leading HR expert. According to Debbie Taylor, Director of Target HR Consultancy, the ‘time to train’ legislation, which will come into force on April 6, 2010, completely misses the point when it comes to addressing employees’ development needs. “The legislation gives employees the legal right to ask for time off so they can undertake training, but, crucially, it does not give them the legal right to it,” Debbie explains. “Employers are under no obligation to meet an employee’s request

Employers warned not to slip up on home working arrangements

WITH the unexpected snowfall this winter, employers should take extra care that they have adequate home working policies in place, warns Debbie Taylor, Director of Target HR Consultancy. “This winter’s snowfall has put compliance issues into sharp focus,” Debbie explains. “Whilst employers were sensibly advising employees to work from home rather than brave the elements in dangerous conditions, many of them didn’t have home working policies in place. “A recent case in France where an employer was successfully sued by a member of staff, who fell off a roof whilst working from home,

Accountants hit out at Tory tax plans

A LEADING payroll expert is warning that Tory plans to scrap the current PAYE (pay as you earn) scheme are ‘seriously flawed’ and will do nothing to help employers and their staff. According to Angela Brake, Head of Payroll at Bath-based Target Chartered Accountants, the proposals to create a new automated bank-based system to deduct income tax and NIC directly from employees’ pay will increase the potential for error and could bring an already over stretched HMRC to the brink of collapse. She said: “If the Tory plans went through, it would represent the biggest shake up of the tax system