TECHNICIAN TRANSFER JOURNEYS INCREASE AGAIN

SAVOY VENTURES LTD.

NHS PATIENT TRANSPORT

PRESS RELEASE

April 26, 2011.

TECHNICIAN TRANSFER JOURNEYS INCREASE AGAIN.

Video.

Patient transport service provider Savoy Ventures has seen a further 33% increase in the number of technician transfers carried out for South London Healthcare Trust.

Technician transfers involve movement of patients who are extremely unwell, who may be attached to life-saving or life-maintaining equipment, and who require highly-qualified ambulance technicians to ensure their wellbeing, or, on occasion, to carry out resuscitation.

“We saw a 33% increase in technician transfers in March 2011 compared to February 2011, we’ve increased staffing levels, and introduced new vehicles. This is all down to the professionalism of the crews,” said Jonathan Smith, Paramedic and Training Manager with Greenhithe-based Savoy Ventures Limited. Video.

“Technician transfers are critical and highly-specialised procedures which can involve the safe transport of people between specialist hospitals or hospital departments – this can include Special Care Baby Unit transfers through to the movement of unconscious, high-dependency adult patients, and are categorised as emergency or blue-light transfers.

“The ambulances are fully equipped with life-saving aids, and the ambulance technicians have all undergone crucial upgraded training to ensure patients are in the best possible hands.”

Savoy carried out 60 technician transfers in December 2010, 84 in January 2011, 153 in February 2011 and 205 in March 2011. On average, Savoy carries out up to 900 patient transfers each day.

Savoy Ventures Limited is a private company providing patient transport and transfer services to NHS Trusts in the South East of England. Established in 2006, Savoy makes more than 240,000 patient transfer journeys a year. Savoy Ventures Limited is engaged by a number of NHS Trusts to carry out blue-light transfers, specialist wheelchair, incubator, bariatric chair or stretcher transport, notes/X-ray transfer, and movement of tissue between hospitals. Many staff are trained and qualified to Ambulance Technician level.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.savoyventures.com

RE-DEFINING ‘OLD’; IT’S NOT 65 - IT’S 93.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 24, 2011.

RE-DEFINING ‘OLD’; IT’S NOT 65 - IT’S 93.

When Her Majesty the Queen celebrated her 85^th birthday on April 21, 2011, she may have finally re-defined Britain’s perception of what is “old”; it’s not 65 - it’s 93.

But the question is who will have the guts to decline Her Majesty for insurance for her cars or foreign travel on age grounds, says over-50s lifestyle group Saga, one of the very few who’d quote the Queen for her Land Rover - or for more than 30 days foreign travel a year.

“If the Queen was living in Buckingham Avenue rather than Buckingham Palace, then, despite her proven ability to match or better world leaders half her age, home or away, she’ll find it a bit tougher to get insurance to drive, or travel abroad. It’s all down to a perception of age and what is ‘old’,” said Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga.

“In the year the Queen was born, 1926, the definition of ‘old’ was effectively set in stone, and we became stuck with it.

“That definition of ‘old age’ has survived for generations: 1926 was the year the state pension age was set at 65, and established the perception that we’re officially very old and past-it at 65. At the time, around 60% of people did not live long enough to collect their state pension.

“But because of the setting of that milestone, our mindset today says 65 is old – as if every older person around us is an exception rather than the rule.

“In 1926, average life expectancy was 61 for women and just 57 for men, so the pension age was 14% beyond a man's average life expectancy.  In 2011, life expectancy is 82 for women and 77 for men.  14% beyond that would be age 93 for women and 88 for men.  

“So, by this new definition, our Queen may not yet be very 'old'. Indeed, around a fifth of people alive today will live to 100 - and there’s a very good chance that could include the Queen too, given her family’s famous longevity.

“But even people in their 90s and beyond embarrass younger generations with their wisdom and vitality.

“At 85, the Queen is a renowned wit, a handy Land Rover driver, has boundless energy both on public duty and in privately enjoying the great outdoors. But how many times do we meet hugely active older people and say, ‘you can’t be that old, surely?’ They should actually be considered the rule, not the exception.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

AV: OVER-50S UNCONVINCED BY YES CAMPAIGN

EMMA SOAMES

SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 21, 2011.

AV: OVER-50S UNCONVINCED BY YES CAMPAIGN.

Older people are far more likely to vote for no change to the UK voting system, with older men in the higher socio-economic groups being most likely to say “leave the system as it is”.

Over-50s lifestyle group Saga polled 11,801 customers over the age of 50, and the signs are the “Yes to AV” campaign has a lot of work to do with older people.

“It could be tough. Both our research and the research of other organisations indicates that older people are far more likely to vote on any issue than younger people, and older people are far less likely to change their mind,” said Emma Soames, Editor-at-Large of Saga Magazine.

Saga’s survey shows 50%of respondents think the “first past the post” electoral system currently used to elect MPs to the House of Commons should not be replaced with the “Alternative Vote” (AV) system. Around a third (32%) think it should be replaced with the AV system, and just under one in five (18%) say they don’t know.

Panellists in Scotland (41%) and Northern Ireland (50%) are most likely to support the introduction of the AV system. This is likely to be due to the prevalence of different voting systems in these two nations’ parliamentary or assembly elections.

People surveyed by Saga said that if the AV system were introduced, more than two thirds (68%) of respondents think that coalition governments between parties would be more likely than under the first past the post system. 59% also think it will be more likely that smaller parties will be represented in parliament under AV.

A quarter (24%) of respondents think it is more likely that MPs will be held to account under such a system, however three in ten (29%) think it is less likely that the party or parties in government will keep to their manifesto commitments.

Full survey report available.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

GREENHITHE PARAMEDIC AND TRAINER – FROM AIRBORNE EMERGENCIES IN ARIZONA, TO GETTING THE BEST OUT OF AMBULANCE CREWS IN SOUTH LONDON

SAVOY VENTURES LTD.

NHS PATIENT TRANSPORT

PRESS RELEASE

April 19, 2011.

GREENHITHE PARAMEDIC AND TRAINER – FROM AIRBORNE EMERGENCIES IN ARIZONA, TO GETTING THE BEST OUT OF AMBULANCE CREWS IN SOUTH LONDON. 

Video – career.

Video – Indian reservations and shootings in Atlanta.

When Greenhithe-based Paramedic and Training Manager Jonathan Smith says he’s seen more than most, he’s not exaggerating.

Jonathan, (age), stepped into the training role at patient transport service provider Savoy Ventures Limited after returning from the USA where he spent more than 20 years as an emergency medical technician and paramedic.

His career took him to Atlanta – one of the most dangerous cities in the world – where he dealt with up to four gunshot injuries on each shift, but also to the Native American Indian reservations, more often than not arriving by helicopter or light aircraft to tackle and treat victims of accident, illness or assault.

Jonathan now helps train and develop Savoy’s growing team of ambulance technicians.

But his induction to the profession was very different. After becoming a technician in 1990, he moved on to paramedic status in 1992, and in 1996 joined the airborne medical ranks, then in 2003 gained his critical care flight paramedic certification – his number is 61 in the whole world.

“I started flying in Georgia, mainly around Atlanta, then went over to the Native American Indian reservations in Arizona, flying with the likes of the Navajo and Apaches – an amazing experience, because we first-responded in helicopters,” said Jonathan.

“Because of the distances out there, ground transport meant an ambulance could be out of its region for 12 or 16 hours, so even on helicopters we’d have our patients with us for an hour and a half. One of our helicopters working the reservations could make 125 flights a month.”

Jonathan explains more about his work in the USA in videos here:

Video – career.

Video – Indian reservations and shootings in Atlanta.

Savoy Ventures Limited is a private company providing patient transport and transfer services to NHS Trusts in the South East of England. Established in 2006, Savoy makes more than 240,000 patient transfer journeys a year. Savoy Ventures Limited is engaged by a number of NHS Trusts to carry out blue-light transfers, specialist wheelchair, incubator, bariatric chair or stretcher transport, notes/X-ray transfer, and movement of tissue between hospitals. Many staff are trained and qualified to Ambulance Technician level.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.savoyventures.com

MANY “RESENTFUL” UNDER-24S WOULDN’T HAVE WORK WITHOUT OLDER COLLEAGUES.

EMMA SOAMES

SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 19, 2011.

MANY “RESENTFUL” UNDER-24S WOULDN’T HAVE WORK WITHOUT OLDER COLLEAGUES.

Commenting on research* by care provider Anchor that revealed more than 40% of 18-24s resented older people staying in work, Emma Soames, Editor-at-Large of Saga Magazine and over-50s champion, said:

“Young people perhaps underestimate the contribution of older people in the workplace. People notice fuss or flurries of activity around workplace decision-making, usually involving the less-experienced who will often ultimately ask an older person for advice anyway.

“But older people have the life and work experience to make business or work decisions more calmly, and consequently faster, simply because they’ve been there before.

“It’s therefore ironic that some of the most important workplace decisions, quietly and decisively made by older people at all levels, have and do create and maintain jobs for the younger generations.”

* Link to original story.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

WAITING FOR GOD – AND ANDREW LANSLEY, TOO; HEALTH BILL ‘PAUSE’ QUESTIONED.

EMMA SOAMES

SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 18, 2011.

WAITING FOR GOD – AND ANDREW LANSLEY, TOO; HEALTH BILL ‘PAUSE’ QUESTIONED.

Prime Minister David Cameron says that the Government is taking advantage of the pause to consider “real changes” to the Health and Social Care Bill, but over-50s organisation Saga says he needs look no further than recent attitudinal research that makes it crystal clear as to what is required.

“Older people relying on the NHS are waiting for both God and Andrew Lansley while this ‘pause’ is going on; unfortunately only one is certain,” said Emma Soames, Editor-at-Large of Saga Magazine.  

“We surveyed 12,939 over-50s, and it’s clear that over-50s support radical reforms of the NHS.

“More than half (59%) of the twelve-thousand-plus over-50s surveyed would be happier if GPs would, in future, have more control over their long-term treatment and healthcare requirements.  This figure increases to 66% among the over-70s, who were most supportive of the changes.  

"A third (33%) of respondents to the Saga Populus poll thought that GPs would do better at finding them the best NHS treatment than the existing Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).  

"While listening is good, and taking time to carefully consider such radical change is sensible, the government  shouldn't permit vested interests to derail the reforms, which aim to put patients and GPs at the heart of the new NHS.

"Older people have great faith in their GPs' commitment and ability to get the best possible health outcomes for them from the NHS. This principle should not be lost during this pause for further consultation,” said Emma Soames.  

"There is obviously room for a broader role for health professionals other than just GPs. Integration of medical and social care is very important for future success."

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

SAGA: WHO CARES MOST FOR OLDIES - OVER-50S OR UNDER-21S?

EMMA SOAMES

SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 18, 2011.

WHO CARES MOST FOR OLDIES – OVER-50S OR UNDER-21S?

A confusing picture has emerged over who cares more for the older generations – over-50s or under-21s.

The confusion arises from Aviva’s latest Real Retirement Report which states under-21s would put more cash into caring for elderly relatives – if they could afford it – but over-50s organisation Saga says that most familial carers are women over 50 who will find a way of paying.

“It’s a little bit apples and bananas, but while Aviva says under-21s would give up a greater proportion of their income to finance their older relatives, our research says something very different,” said Emma Soames, Editor-at-Large of Saga Magazine.  

"The Aviva report suggests that older people are happy to pass off the burden of supporting their elderly relatives, and that the young are the real philanthropic generation.  

“But, in stark contrast, our experience shows that most familial carers are women over the age of 50.  So whilst they are realistic about not being able to support their elderly relatives financially, they dig deep on both their physical and emotional reserves to provide the one-to-one care the most vulnerable in our society really need.

“The report, however, does highlight the potential for families to 'club' together to save for future care needs for the family as a whole, a point that Saga raised in its submission of evidence to the Dilnot Commission on Care Funding.

“This makes it clear that clubbing together, or wider incentives to encourage saving for care, should be a key strand in any recommendations arising from Dilnot.”

  
Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

MCBAINS COOPER FLORIDA FORAY BEARS FRUIT.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

April 15, 2011.

MCBAINS COOPER FLORIDA FORAY BEARS FRUIT.

UK-based property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper is seeing early fruit from its launch into the USA.

The interdisciplinary consultancy’s Miami team has been appointed as development monitoring surveyors and technical advisors on behalf of Friends First, a subsidiary of the Eureko Group.

The project is the refurbishment of Mizner Court, an existing period apartment building on Sunset Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida.

“We established our office in Miami as both a hub for our growing Latin American contract portfolio, and as a base for opportunities we see developing in the South East USA,” said Santiago Klein, Managing Director of McBains Cooper International.

“UK-sourced professional property and construction experience and expertise is highly rated and highly valued in Latin America where we are providing support for both private and public sector contracts, but our presence and growth in Miami is demonstrating that demand extends to the USA.”

Mizner Court is an apartment building with ground floor retail space located one block away from the beach.

Designed by its namesake, Addison Mizner, a renowned American architect, Mizner Court is distinguishable by his trademark Mediterranean Revival style.

The property is located in Palm Beach, Florida, one of the most affluent

communities in the United States. Located on a 16-mile long barrier island on the

eastern-most point of Florida, Palm Beach serves as the second home location of

choice for the social elite of the major cities in the North east of America.

“Given the building’s enviable location just one block away from the beach and

the limited supply of rental units within the area, the client is in the process of implementing an above-standard unit improvement programme to improve the building’s profile and command superior rents,” said Julian Symons, McBains Cooper director in charge of the project.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Mexico and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

RE-OPENING OF CHEQUE ABOLITION INQUIRY IS PRICELESS, SAYS SAGA.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

SAGA SOUNDBITE

April 14, 2011.

RE-OPENING OF CHEQUE ABOLITION INQUIRY IS PRICELESS, SAYS SAGA.

Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga, commenting on the Treasury Select Committee’s decision to re-open its inquiry into the abolition of cheques, said:

"We warmly welcome the decision by the Treasury Select Committee to reopen its inquiry into the abolition of cheques.  This will be very popular with older people, many of whom have written to us expressing their concerns that they will not be able to manage without cheques. 

“Many of the over-50s find the convenience of writing cheques is very important to them for managing and organising their finances and keeping track of their dwindling pensions and savings income.

“Our recent survey of 13,000 over-50s found that two thirds of respondents (67%) fundamentally disagreed with the decision to withdraw cheques, and one in ten believed that they would not be able to pay some bills if cheques were withdrawn. 

“The most vulnerable of older people will often have no internet access and, if they are hard of hearing, may not be able to manage using telephone services either.  Therefore this decision to reopen the inquiry is a victory for common sense and the voice of older consumers."

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

SPIELBERG PROTÉGÉ’S “HOUSING UNITS-2: THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL”.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

April 13, 2011.

SPIELBERG PROTÉGÉ’S “HOUSING UNITS-2: THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL”.

Nick Fox video.

Phil Hawkins video (1) (2) (3) (4)

Paul Barnes video (1) (2)

Photos

TV ad.

Manchester-born film director Phil Hawkins, one of Steven Spielberg’s tips for movie greatness, has returned to Failsworth to direct a second work for leading retailer Housing Units.

Phil has teamed up with Manchester-based AIR Creative to produce Housing Units’ first-ever 60-second TV ad, which features the voice of actor Sean Pertwee.

It has been shot entirely on location at the store’s north Manchester retail park – and steers well clear of the sector-dominant sofas-wardrobes-and-beds style production. That it was also filmed on a hand-held camera highlights the natural and relaxed tone.

Phil, an award-winning former Manchester Xaverian College student, has been named as one of the young movie makers who most caught the legend’s eye.

And the people who caught Phil’s eye were the cast of the new ad: virtually everybody starring in the ad either works at Housing Units, or is related to Housing Units staff.

The challenge facing the team was to showcase Housing Units’ massive product range, plus the overall scale of Housing Units’ vast array of departments, without making it look like a living catalogue, but, crucially, to get over the key point that it’s all about personal service in the family-run and orientated store.

“The sequel is always going to be tough, and we thought that 60 seconds would make it easier – but it didn’t: using the staff, and featuring some of the new retail units and departments means this ad has no option but to be packed with people and action,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units (video).

“It’s not a list of products, it’s about the lifestyle customers enjoy, and the way the staff operate and interface with those customers.”

Paul Barnes, Managing Director of AIR Creative, said: “It just isn’t possible to convey the full scale of Housing Units’ offering in 30 seconds. (video)

  

“We needed some way of getting all of that across – the range, quality of service, attention to detail - and establishing a bigger picture in customers’ minds.  Housing Units is not just somewhere else that sells sofas. 

“The store is genuinely unique and enjoys real loyalty from its customers, so we wanted to tap into the goodwill that the brand already has, and convey that to a wider audience.  But, above all, we want people to make an emotional connection with the store.”     

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

REGIONAL GROWTH FUND ROUND ONE: TOO LITTLE TOO SOON, SAYS REGENERATION EXPERT.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

April 12, 2011.

RGF ROUND ONE: TOO LITTLE TOO SOON, SAYS REGENERATION EXPERT.

Video.

Photo.

Regeneration expert Dr Geoff Seeff says the Government’s flagship growth plan is looking like being too little too soon – and that the Coalition's flagship policy for economic development Regional Growth Fund (“RGF”) has been rushed through.

Dr Seeff, Head of Regeneration at international property and construction consultants McBains Cooper http://www.mcbainscooper.com/, says the imminent announcement of the successful bidders in Round One could expose serious flaws in the much-anticipated economic recovery policy.

“There’s a growing club of us who are forming the opinion that the RGF may flounder on the rocks before it even gets underway,” said Dr Seeff.

“My team and I have been carrying out appraisal and due diligence studies for the past 25 years for projects applying for the various regeneration grants that have been introduced in that time, and, while I think that the RGF is essentially a sound regime, the manner in which it has been implemented seems to me to be seriously flawed.

“Clearly, with the initial focus on deficit reduction, the Government needed to show that it was doing something to cut the bureaucracy of the Regional Development Agencies whilst at the same time encouraging growth.

“Following the completion of consultations in October, prospective bidders for RGF, and private sector organisations alone or in partnership with public sector bodies, were given just a few months to submit their Round One bids.

“Perhaps  the Department of Business Innovations and Skills (“BIS”), regarded Round One as a ‘pathfinder’ and did not expect as many submissions. In fact BIS received 464 bids and they were seeking more than ten times the £250 million allocated".

“It seems to be common knowledge that many of the bids submitted did not meet the eligibility criteria of RGF, or will have fallen foul of the EU state aid rules.

“However, that will still leave a significant number which have met the strategic objectives but which are not worked up to a stage where BIS can be confident about their deliverability, whilst a good number will be rejected simply because others appear to yield better outcomes.

“In short, there will be a lot of disappointed applicants, many of whom may be discouraged from resubmitting in later rounds.”          

Dr Seeff sees further issues at the due diligence stage for those recommended for an award by Lord Heseltine’s Advisory Panel.

“Other than in respect of those projects that have been in the pipeline for many years, are fully worked up and have simply been awaiting the opportunity presented by a suitable grant regime to help them proceed, essentially good projects will still require much design development.

“The appraisal carried out by BIS on the large number of bids can only have been cursory, which means it will be up to the due diligence advisers to identify constraints and risks and help devise solutions if there are problems.

“This will further protract the process of securing Ministerial approvals. If there are to be bidding rounds, and there is a strong argument against them, then in my view it would have been preferable for Government to have allocated a significantly larger fund for Round One and extended the bid period by another six months. This is a case of too little, too soon.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

UK’S FIRST TAX RATES APP LAUNCHES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS & FDs.

HAINES WATTS

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

PRESS RELEASE

April 11, 2011

UK’S FIRST TAX RATES APP LAUNCHES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS & FDs.

A new mobile app has been launched for business owners, FDs and financial controllers, giving instant and continuous access to the latest UK Tax Rates on their iPhones. Download app here

“Time is money – and anything that streamlines accountancy and makes things faster and more efficient is worth embracing. Rather than having to use the internet via a PC to find out relevant tax rates or keep a hard copy tax card to hand, the app will allow access to tax rates anywhere, at any point in time,” said Gary Heywood of Haines Watts, a top 20 firm of Chartered Accountants, which has offices across the UK. Watch video here

“There’s huge demand for our tax rates cards, but there’s both a financial cost and an environmental cost in generating reams of printed versions – so we turned it into an app. The app will initially be available for use on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.” 

The app will be free to download from the app store. It will list a large proportion of UK tax rates, including Income Tax, Car & Fuel Benefits, Corporation Tax, VAT, Capital Gains Tax and National Insurance – amongst others.

The move follows Haines Watts’ look at how it can better serve business owners and finance directors by making information more easily accessible day-to-day.

Samantha Davies, Marketing Manager of Haines Watts, said: “Our partners, who are also business owners, rely on their phones so much now to access information 24/7 as a matter of course - we know that other business owners would be doing the same.  Time is at a premium for business owners and FDs, and this is just a small step in the process of driving efficient and massively more convenient accountancy services.

“No other UK accountancy firm has developed such an app.  At Haines Watts we make sure we give business owners what they want, when they want it – technology is the ideal way to do this.”

Gary Heywood, Partner at Haines Watts, said: “Time is precious for most business owners and FDs, with many working long hours both day and night.  Giving them information at their fingertips whatever time of the day they need it is vital.

“Every year we send out tax cards to our clients and contacts - in recent years we have become less reliant on hard copy material and emailed more.  With access online via our website and now with our new app, we know that this will also have a positive impact on the environment,” said Gary.

Haines Watts sees the new app as only the beginning and will track downloads in the coming months.  The firm will then look to develop onto other platforms in the future.  If this proves to be a success, Haines Watts will invest in further app development to help business owners in their day-to-day business lives.

ENDS

About Haines Watts

Haines Watts is a top-20 firm of Chartered Accountants that specialises in the owner- managed business sector.  Haines Watts has a broad range of services, and more than 80 years experience in working with privately-owned businesses. From accountancy, tax, VAT, financial services, expense control, corporate finance and business advice, the firm has the market understanding and expertise to make a difference to business.

With over 50 offices around the UK, and over 30,000 UK clients, Haines Watts’ aim is to become the premier adviser to the owner-managed business sector. They are able to offer a comprehensive range of national services without losing the personal attention to detail at a local level. This combination makes the Haines Watts offering unique.

For further information contact:

Samantha Davies

National Marketing Manager

Haines Watts, Sterling House,97 Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffs, B79 7QF

Tel: 01827 61835

Email: sdavies@hwca.com

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

HOUSING UNITS £30,000 FOR THE CHRISTIE.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

April 11, 2011.

HOUSING UNITS £30,000 FOR THE CHRISTIE.

Video The Christie’s Roger Smith

Video Nick Fox of Housing Units

Photo

The world-renowned Christie cancer care hospital has said thirty thousand thank-yous to 280 store staff in Failsworth, north Manchester.

Staff at Housing Units concluded their three year support of The Christie with a £10,750 flourish – the final fund-raising cheque has been handed over by staff and management, making a total of £30,000 raised.

“There’s plenty of places, furniture and beds in Housing Units to laze around on, but the team here has been getting very active with a vast array of fund raising efforts, largely involving exercise or muscle flexing,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units. (video)

“But there’s great satisfaction amongst the team – spurred along by ‘head fundraiser’ Bob Lamble at Housing Units – because they know that every penny makes a difference.”

Roger Smith, a governor of The Christie, (video) thanked the team for its efforts over the past three years:

“The sums of money raised and contributed by the Housing Units team make a significant difference both to the level of treatment we can provide for patients, and to pay for value added equipment.

“I can only say a huge thank-you to the team for their efforts, and they can live in the knowledge that they are making a huge difference to the lives of people in the region with cancer.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk