Hoodie offer from TK Associates

FIRST CLASS WEBSITE FOR FIRST CLASS VENUE

Interdirect, Milton Keynes’ leading full service media agency has launched an innovative new website for Braehead Arena in Glasgow.

The multi-purpose arena boasts first class event facilities, and is home to two ice hockey teams and hosts a variety of sporting events and concerts. With its local knowledge and experience working with Braehead Shopping Centre, Interdirect was selected to bring to life the vision of a modern and expertly designed website, using its advanced content management system (CMS) SiteMachine.

The new website not only reflects the quality of Braehead Arena’s superb venue, but also the quality of Interdirect’s bespoke software solutions; built with ease of navigation and usability in mind.

From the website users can browse the latest news, view upcoming events at Braehead Arena, and access skating times and prices, as well as finding information about the surrounding area, how to get there and check out the arena’s facilities. Visitors to the site can book tickets to see their favourite shows with direct access to the 24 hour ticket hotline.

The website also features the unique functionality for a promoter login allowing promoters exclusive access to specific information and event facilities available when hiring and working with Braehead Arena.

Scott Martin, Braehead Arena Manager, says: “The new website is perfect for Braehead Arena, and provides visitors with the latest information on events in a fun and easy to digest format.   We now have a website that is on-brand, in budget, effortlessly designed and most importantly, easy to use”.

SECURING EMI WEALTH COMES WITH A 12 MONTH DISCIPLINE

The recent Budget contained a surprise announcement in relation to Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) options and capital gains tax Entrepreneur’s Relief.  Emma Wise, tax director at Mazars, spoke to HMRC to shed light on the detail of the new rules.

“We are advising all clients not to exercise their EMI options until 6 April of this year without taking advice first, so they don’t miss out on the potential relief.

“Shares acquired on exercise of an EMI option on or after this crucial date can potentially benefit from capital gains tax Entrepreneur’s Relief (ER). In layman’s terms it means that you would be taxed at 10% rather than 28% when you sell shares.”

However, Emma says clients need to be aware of a potential catch.

“Individuals need to have held the shares for at least 12 months before they can benefit from the relief. We have contacted all our clients planning on exiting their business and leveraging the EMI scheme to make sure that this requirement features on their calendars.

“Generally, it seems that where a company is eligible to use EMI options, they will represent the optimum way of delivering shares to employees, even where the intention is for the employee to acquire the shares within a short timeframe.  So we expect to see even more companies seeking advice on setting up such schemes over the coming months.”

“Businesses considering introducing employee share schemes should most certainly look at structuring awards as EMI options that are exercisable immediately instead of awarding shares outright.” 

Get lost in wonderland at thecentre:mk this Easter

Shopping this Easter at thecentre:mk could be tricky, be careful as the white rabbit may tempt you to get Lost in Wonderland and spend hours finding your way through the magical maze with the whole family! From 30 March- 29 April, take on the adventure and enjoy hours of fun as you find your way to the mad hatters party!

When you first enter the maze you will first be met with a series of doors, open the correct doors before entering into the living hedge maze, scramble through the hedges and giant Wonderland objects will greet you, un solve the ten puzzles along the way to win a trip to Buckingham palace, tour the royal gardens and have tea at Fortnum and Masons.

In the final stage of the maze you will be faced with the angry playing card soldiers from the red queen, step near the fountain and they will sparkle and bing to create the real magic of being ‘Lost in Wonderland’. Make your way past the soldiers and through to enjoy the mad hatters party with craft workshops, story time and competitions!

Melanie Beck Head of Marketing and Communications, commented, “This year our Lost in Wonderland maze is set to re-create the real magic and fun for a true maze discovery, we hope the family will enjoy learning the story of Alice in a new and experiential environment. Our interactive area with crafts, giant games, puzzles, story time and prizes, will hopefully be enjoyed by children of all ages and create an exciting experience at thecentre:mk this Easter. ”

For more information on opening times, ticket prices, competitions and times of craft and story activities visit www.thecentremk.com or follow us www.facebook.com/thecentremk

BOUTIQUE’ PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO AND GALLERY OPENS WITH WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

Ampthill’s only photo studio boasts creative, original and fun photo’s for family and business

Pilgrim House photographic studio and gallery opens its doors this week and is set to be a picture of success being the only ‘town centre’ studio in Ampthill offering a range of photographic services for both social and commercial clients, with a gallery and creative space for hire. As part of the grand opening on 1 April 2012, a world record will be attempted to take the most amount of photo portraits in 12 hours. The studio doors will open at 8am and the people of Ampthill are encouraged to have their photo taken to help gain a world record for the town.

Located in an 18^th century double fronted shop on Dunstable street, a studio and gallery has been the vision of local professional photographer Lloyd Goodall for a number of years.  Split into two separate zones, the business consists of a 900 sqf space with a fully equipped photo and video studio, print shop and full photo and video editing capability. The gallery space is available for hire to exhibit and sell work or can be used to run creative workshops, host group meetings and hold small scale events and parties.

Either in the studio or on location Lloyd and his team’s creative flair for interesting and original photographs will come to life. Taking a modern twist on conventional studio photography, Pilgrim House studio will cover all social requirements such as families, people and their pets, school proms, fashion shoots and all commercial requirements including head and shoulders shots, team shots and product photography.  The team are also available to book for wedding photography and documentary video.

When asked about the value it will bring to the town and the surrounding areas, Lloyd enthused: “This is a very exciting time, the studio’s size and space means we are able to offer refreshing alternative styles of studio photography – bespoke, creative, theatrical even – but also affordable. Our customers will be able to enjoy services ranging from a high end studio experience with luxury framing and printing options through to ‘drop in’ sessions and boutique photo booths. Being independent we pride ourselves on offering a welcoming and personal experience.

Pilgrim House studio will also be working closely with Bedfordshire’s talented photographers, film makers, camera enthusiasts and hobbyists. The studio and gallery space is available to hire and we will be launching a camera club and photography workshops in the near future.”

Lloyd concluded: “I would like to thank everyone who has provided us with help and support to get us to opening day. We are very excited about the potential of the studio and what it offers the local community. Please come and be part of our world record attempt on opening day! We need as many faces as possible.  An option of a £1.00 donation per photo will be offered with all proceeds gifted to the local charity Jigsaw.

For more information follow Pilgrim House studio and gallery on twitter:  @pilgrimhouseuk  on  facebook: /pilgrimhousestudio or e mail: info@pilgrimhouse.co.uk

MAZARS WINS IAB AWARD FOR “AUDIT INNOVATION OF THE YEAR”

Mazars, which has an office in Milton Keynes, is proud to have won the ‘Audit Innovation of the Year’ award for its “Human Rights Audit” practice at the inaugural International Accounting Bulletin (IAB) Awards held on March 8 2012.

The awards recognise and reward leading accounting firms, networks and alliances across the world, with submissions judged by an independent panel of accounting experts.  The ‘Audit Innovation of the Year’ award recognizes the practice which has made a major, demonstrable impact on audit quality and client service.

Judges considered the following criteria:

• Evidence of improvements in efficiency, accuracy and reliability

• Client satisfaction

• Evidence that the innovation is unique to the market it serves

• Evidence that the innovation has become a model of best practice to the market it serves

 

Stephen Eames, managing partner at the Milton Keynes office said: “We are delighted to have received this accolade and pleased to continue to make an impact locally on this internationally recognised achievement.”

Philippe Castagnac, CEO of the Mazars Group, commented on the IAB reward: “For Mazars, Human Rights compliance is central to business and is a powerful strategy in the current business environment. Business is now playing a more pronounced and visible role in the human rights debate following an increasing pressure to act with due diligence to avoid infringing on the rights of others as laid out in the UN Human Rights’ policy framework. Many international companies have started embarking on this issue but need to be assisted by truly recognised experts. It’s why we decided to launch this “Human Rights” practice. Today, we are really proud of the recognition by the IAB Awards jury of this innovative initiative in which we truly believe.”

The panel explained why they rewarded Mazars with the Innovation of the Year category: “Mazars has taken a lead role in assessing audit clients against the Mazars ‘Indicators for Human Rights Compliance’. These indicators measure how well a company is complying with basic human rights. They are assessed against local laws and consolidated at an international level. Judges felt the Mazars ‘Human Rights Audit’ was pertinent, innovative and could set a benchmark for global best practice.”

A University for Milton Keynes moves one step closer

Milton Keynes College has advanced the cause for a University in the city having won government funding to offer almost a hundred and fifty degree places of its own.  The news places the College firmly in the top echelon of Colleges around the country and is being seen as recognition of the breadth and quality of education on offer at the institution.  It also demonstrates that the government accepts there is a need and a demand for University courses in the city.

Principal and Chief Executive of the College, Dr. Julie Mills, says, “For the first time this gives the College and the city a degree of independence in Higher Education, allowing us to offer worthwhile and desirable degree-level education to people in our own way.  The increased range of HE courses we will now be able to offer will have enormous benefits for students in and around Milton Keynes who wish to continue to live and work in the area whilst still being able to study towards degree level qualifications.  This is wonderful news and is largely due to the high quality of teaching offered by our staff.”

The College is one of only a handful of institutions up and down the country to receive new funding of this kind and only one of sixty-five in total out of more than 400 colleges to be given this stamp of approval from the Higher Education Funding Council.  It will mean students will be able to study locally full and part-time for degrees in a whole range of subjects including Engineering, Computing, Business, Journalism, Graphic Design and Performing Arts.  Degree courses will be taught at Milton Keynes College’s  Chaffron Way, Bletchley and University Centre Milton Keynes campus sites and degrees awarded by The University of Bedfordshire, among others.

The college is holding an open evening on 29^th March at the UKMC site to discuss applications for September 2012 where experienced staff will be available to answer questions about student loans, HE bursaries and how to apply.

For further information please contact

Carolyn Jardine, Jardine Michelson Public Relations

Tel: 0845 1651651  carolyn@jardine-michelson.com

A BUDGET THAT FAVOURS OWNER-MANAGED BUSINESSES

Chancellor George Osborne’s 2012 Budget could bring a welcome boost to the owner-managed business sector according to tax experts in the Milton Keynes office of international accountancy firm Mazars.

Tax partner Seb Tubb said: “Overall it’s a good Budget for the private sector and after all it is the private sector that is going to get us going again.”

He said that a lot of the changes announced had already been flagged up but he particularly welcomed the acceleration in the reduction of the rate of Corporation Tax.

“The original target announced by the Coalition was to bring the Corporation Tax rate down from 28 per cent to 24 per cent in the term of this Parliament.

“But now we are seeing an immediate move to 24 per cent with 22 per cent as the target and this has got to be good news for business,” he said.

He pointed out that the small companies rate of Corporation Tax remained at 20 per cent and said he felt there might now be an increased tendency by owner-manager directors to take dividends rather than bonuses.

But he said the decrease in the top rate of income tax from 50p to 45p was likely to delay employees taking bonuses.

“In the same way that we saw people taking bonuses early when the increase to 50p was announced, it is likely that we will see them delaying taking bonuses until the new rate of 45p comes into effect in April 2013,” he added.

He welcomed further support for R&D allowances and Corporation Tax reliefs from April 2013 specifically for the film production, video, animation and game sectors.

“I was encouraged by his reference to wanting the UK to become the Technology Centre of Europe and ultra fast broadband in ten cities will help this process.”

He said that Stamp Duty Land Tax planning opportunities were now severely restricted and the Chancellor had made it clear he would crack down on this area.

“The introduction of Capital Gains Tax from April 2013 on properties over £2 million will also hit those who have used overseas companies to own property to avoid taxes.

“As far as the introduction of a General Anti Abuse Rule is concerned – we knew that this was coming and we will have to wait to see the detail to understand further what they intend to bring in with the 2013 Finance Bill.

“But overall this was a good Budget for business and hopefully all the elements put together – higher than expected personal allowance, tax changes, support for particular high-tech industry sectors, the cutting of the top rate of tax and so on – will all help to produce a more optimistic outlook which will translate into a confidence to invest and go for growth,” he concluded.

TOP TIPS FOR USING PINTEREST FOR BUSINESS

There is a new social phenomenon that is catching the eye of marketers – Pinterest is a visually driven social network where users create virtual pin boards to share with an online community that’s growing rapidly.

Its explosive popularity has made it the fastest growing social site, hitting 11.7 million unique monthly visitors in January 2012. Pinterest has huge marketing potential for brands wanting to share their latest products, services, projects and ideas with the masses.

But how can Pinterest boost your business?

1.       Keep it simple. Firstly, find out if your customers are using it and how they are using it before you get creative and start pinning. A key part of the Pinterest appeal is that it’s incredibly easy to use. Mimic the site’s clean and refreshing aesthetics to gain high levels of interaction.

2.       Make the most of other social media platforms. Yes, Pinterest is generating all the hype, but that doesn’t mean you can forget the big players in the social media sphere who ultimately have what your business needs – an existing online audience. Drive users from your Facebook page and Twitter feed to create vital links, and to increase traffic and generate interest around your boards.

3.       Create a brand personality. Showcase your brand’s full potential with a theme for each pin board you use to promote your latest product, service or project. Daily pin themes can also be used to run competitions or seasonal campaigns that will keep customers engaged and coming back for new content on a regular basis.

4.       Share hot-topics. It’s tempting for any business to only pin your own product or service, but it’s important to make sure you aren’t too self-serving and host a variety of enriching content. Raise awareness of your brand and keep users happy on Pinterest by showing that you’re aware of what’s happening in your industry.

5.       Backstage access. Leave your users wanting more by pinning exclusive competitions, product previews, and latest company news to individual boards.
 

6.       Increase your online presence. Pinterest showcases popular images with links back to the original source and then repins to hundreds of interested followers. This kind of viral sharing can maximise your SEO efforts and increase your online presence.

LAST CHANCE TO MAX OUT YOUR PENSION POT

Investors hoping to put the maximum into their pensions have just weeks to take action, tax experts at international accountancy firm Mazars in Milton Keynes are warning.

Tax director Janet Pilborough-Skinner said: “The standard lifetime allowance is reducing from £1.8 million to £1.5 million with effect from April 6, 2012.

“This means that the maximum pension fund that you can accumulate from all of your pension schemes cannot exceed £1.5 million – equivalent to a pension benefit of £75,000 if you have a final salary pension arrangement – after April 6, 2012. If you exceed this limit you will pay tax on the excess – up to 55 per cent.”

But, she said, opportunities still existed for those with significant pension pots to protect their pension funds against this significant tax charge, and continue to benefit from further investment growth.

It was also possible to make further contributions to enhance retirement benefits.

 “If your pension funds total in excess of £1 million, or a £50,000 per annum final salary pension benefit, or you believe your pension funds may increase in value to above £1.5 million by the time you come to take benefits then now is the time to take action. You should talk to an experienced pensions consultant as soon as possible,” concluded Janet

Please contact Janet on janet.pilborough-skinner@mazars.co.uk for assistance.