Today’s news in brief – 16/9/2024

Hall Livesey Brown, a Cheshire-based firm of Chartered Accountants, has been named one of the top 100 small businesses in the UK by Small Business Saturday's SmallBiz100 campaign. Founded 100 years ago and based in Tarporley, the firm has supported independent businesses for decades. This recognition comes during their centenary year, showcasing their dedication to the community and long-standing client relationships. Partners Anne Wilkes and Nicola Carter expressed excitement about the acknowledgment, especially as it coincides with the firm’s milestone anniversary. The Small Business Saturday campaign encourages consumers to support local, independent businesses across the country. RSM UK has welcomed the Prudential Regulation Authority's (PRA) decision to ease the impact of removing the SME supporting factor under Basel 3.1 reforms. Initially proposed for January 2026, this change would have increased lending costs for SMEs. However, the PRA plans to introduce a lending adjustment to mitigate this risk, ensuring that small businesses continue to access affordable loans. RSM UK’s Gavin Sharpe highlights the importance of this adjustment for sustaining SME growth and the UK economy. The capital offset will allow banks to lend without imposing excessive financial strain on SMEs, safeguarding their operations and growth. TC Group has merged with Sussex-based accountancy firm Knill James, resulting in the rebranded entity 'TC Knill James.' Knill James, established in 1887, is known for its personalised client care and tailored business advice. This merger aligns with TC Group's broader M&A strategy, expanding their services and deepening expertise. David Martin, joint managing partner of Knill James, is excited about the collaboration, emphasizing shared values and enhanced offerings for clients. TC Group CFO Pete Shaw sees this as a strategic move to strengthen their presence in Sussex, reinforcing the combined firm’s ability to provide exceptional service across sectors. Evelyn Partners has appointed Fenton Burgin as a partner in its Debt and Capital Advisory practice. Burgin brings over 30 years of experience, having previously worked at Deloitte, where he built a successful advisory team. His extensive track record includes overseeing £20bn in debt facilities across the UK, Europe, and the US. Burgin has held senior roles at Close Brothers and Schroders and was a non-executive board member at ICAEW's Corporate Finance Faculty. John Rugman, head of Advisory at Evelyn Partners, praised Burgin’s expertise, while Burgin expressed enthusiasm about joining a high-caliber team with global mid-market execution capabilities.