insideKENT Magazine Issue 59 - February 2017 | Page 141

BUSINESS

KEEPING KENT AT THE HEART OF OUR OFFERING

BY PAUL NIXON OF WILKINS KENNEDY
IT ’ S THE START OF A NEW YEAR AND WITH IT COMES PLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD . NOT ONLY IS WILKINS KENNEDY CELEBRATING ITS 135TH BIRTHDAY IN 2017 , WE HAVE ALSO BEEN REFLECTING UPON THE GREAT YEAR THE FIRM HAD IN 2016 , BOTH AS A WHOLE AND FOR THE KENT REGION .
KENT EXPANSION SUCCESS Wilkins Kennedy added two new offices in the county during 2016 . The first in May was with Canterbury-based accountancy firm , Lakin Clark , and the other was with Day Smith & Hunter in October .
Both firms were a good match for Wilkins Kennedy as they shared the business ethos and passion for excellent customer service and were well aligned in terms of the firm ’ s specialist offerings . It enabled each firm ’ s existing clients to be introduced to a wider knowledge base and a broader range of services , and access to a wider pool of knowledge from the expertise that lies within a larger firm .
Both deals were important to the growth strategy for the Southern region , linking its offices in Ashford , Orpington and Sandwich – another office which continues to grow . The Discovery Park based office moved to a larger space at the end of 2015 to allow for an increase in head count which was due in part to the rise in demand for accounting services in the area and the growth of many small businesses in East Kent .
PLANNING FOR THE NEW We are an old firm , established in 1882 , and our age has afforded us many years of experience – there have been very few situations that we ’ ve not seen , or know how to help with . Age is just a number and there are plenty of things that make our firm new and fresh faced .
In September 2016 , the Sandwich office announced the soft launch of myWK , a new cloud accounting service , tailored towards owner managed businesses . It was considered that the placement of the office at the heart of a technology site , plus the thriving growth environment it had to offer , made Wilkins Kennedy ’ s Sandwich office a great fit for the service .
As a firm , staff and Partners are encouraged to keep pace with other businesses and networks in Kent and do what we can to support them and this is another way we like to stay up to date .
KEEPING UP THE CRICKET Wilkins Kennedy has just announced a sixth year of sponsorship With Kent County Cricket Club . With foundations spanning back further than our own , the Club was established in 1842 and has hosted a number of highly esteemed home matches over the years as well as other much anticipated events and ceremonies . This includes the prestigious Canterbury Cricket Week which is held every August – something to look forward to as the dark days of winter begin to subside .
Wilkins Kennedy also has a longstanding relationship with the highly esteemed Canterbury Festival . In 2016 we announced our 13th year of association with the Festival which is the largest in the region , drawing in audiences of more than 60,000 people .
Through the years , Wilkins Kennedy has supported a range of events from the fabulous violinist , Nicola Benedetti in Canterbury Cathedral to the legendary Van Morrison and in 2016 the Showstopper ! event in the Marlowe Theatre .
But it is not all about cricket games and music festivals – Wilkins Kennedy also works with local schools . The offices in the region work with the Simon Langton Girls ’ School , where , together with other local businesses , we talk to all the year groups about accountancy options , the different routes available and a little bit more about the career and progression .
WE ARE HERE TO HELP Wilkins Kennedy works with many local organisations across the UK and it is something which is very much at the heart of our offering . Extending our reach into the community around us is an important part of our existence as a firm and we are aware of the hundreds of businesses , charities and other organisations that rely on others in the community to give something back , so that they can continue the work they do . We are happy to be associated with such a great organisation as official exclusive sponsor - look out for our perimeter boards on the cricket pitch or get in touch with your local Wilkins Kennedy representative at one of our offices in Ashford , Canterbury , Maidstone , Orpington and Sandwich .
For more information , email Partner , Paul Nixon , at paul . nixon @ wilkinskennedy . com or call on 01233 629255 .
www . wilkinskennedy . com
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