The Budget in focus as the Breakfast Exchange returns to Bath

The Budget has landed and businesses are scrambling to make sense of the raft of measures being introduced by the chancellor.

Helpfully, the following morning was the latest instalment of the Breakfast Exchange – the partnership event between TBE, Thrings Solicitors and accountants Richardson Swift – returning to The Ivy in Bath with the Budget being the topic of conversation. Almost as if we had planned it…

From the “Founders Relief” on Capital Gains Tax, new legislation on non-complete clauses and expanding Business Rates relief for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries to widening eligibility of paid parental leave, the conversation covered all the key points of interest to businesses in Bath. 

Moderated by TBE Editor Anita Jaynes, the post-Budget panel included Richardson Swift Director and Head of Tax Calvin Healy, Sonia Green, Partner and Head of Succession and Tax at Thrings, and Samantha Skuse, co-Founder of Bath-based Synthesis Wealth Management, who collectively discussed their views on the Budget and the questions they have already been receiving from clients.

With around 90 representatives from businesses and charities across Bath and the wider region in attendance, there was plenty of engaging back-and-forth as opinions were shared and the panel fielded questions from the audience, aiming to find answers amidst the detail.

Sonia Green, Head of Private Client at Thrings, said, “It was fantastic to be part of today’s panel and discuss what the subtle yet controversial budget with a great, engaging audience.

“When people start looking into the detail of this budget, and what it means for them, I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed. For business owners, this budget does, however, provide a useful push to start thinking about the future and succession planning now.”

Samantha Skuse, co-Founder of Synthesis Wealth Management said, “A Budget like this can leave people wondering, ‘What does this actually mean for me and my family?’ The important thing is not to make decisions based on one headline, but to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. It’s also a good opportunity to open up conversations with loved ones about the future, what matters to you and what you ultimately want your wealth to achieve. 

“Having a clear, flexible financial plan can then give you confidence that you’re making the right decisions for today, while also protecting what you want for the future.”

Calvin Healy, Head of Tax at Richardson Swift, added, “Business owners cannot afford simply to focus on the day to day and leave succession planning until retirement is on the horizon. With so much change over recent years, now is the time to put a flexible 10-year strategy in place around the business, the family and ultimately protecting and realising the value they have worked so hard to create.”

To register your interest in attending a future Breakfast Exchange meeting, please email: press@tbesw.co.uk