Managing director of Price Bailey Martin Clapson speaks to Accountancy Age about the firm's 2017 British Accountancy Awards win, the biggest challenges of 2017, how technology is being leveraged by the firm and what challenges the accountancy industry is facing this year
Managing director of Price Bailey Martin Clapson speaks to Accountancy Age about the firm’s 2017 British Accountancy Awards win, the biggest challenges of 2017, how technology is being leveraged by the firm and what challenges the accountancy industry are facing this year.
Price Bailey won Outstanding Community Engagement and Contribution at last year’s British Accountancy Awards. The firm’s PB Inspires programme involves working with local schools and pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, aiming to raise future aspirations and develop business knowledge.
Clapson said that he believes there is currently a lack of trust in business and to build that trust, business has to be engaged in and part of the local community. He said that the firm spends a lot of time and money being involved in the local community and that the team love being part of it so winning the award had particular importance.
In 2017, the biggest challenge for Price Bailey was coping with growth, which over the past few years has been double digit. The challenge has been recruiting the right talent – people who are technically good but also care about doing their job well and have a good ethos. This year, Clapson said he is excited by current change and challenges. The firm’s key areas of focus are continuing the recruitment drive and motivating and looking after staff. If the firm can do both of those things, it will do well, Clapson said.
The British Accountancy Awards 2018 will be held on 26 September and will welcome over 1000 guests from practices all over the country. The deadline for entries is 28 June.