Devon chartered accountants join business guidance panel

Universities are places where many of us spend a significant amount of our formative years and where many of today’s business entrepreneurs were made and where tomorrows are forming their business ideas and plans for the future.

So it seems only right that those in higher education be given the best guidance possible, to ensure they take the right steps as they set out on their journey from academia into business.

That is why Thompson Jenner LLP, one of Devon’s leading chartered accountants and business advisory firms, is delighted to have been asked to help and support the future businessmen and women of Plymouth University make informed decisions about their business ideas and plans.

The firm has a background of supporting business orientated students and embryonic companies and has gratefully accepted the invitation from Plymouth University to play a major role as part of its Business Guidance Centre’s One Stop Ideas Shop.

Thompson Jenner LLP will act as the resident panel chartered accountant and business adviser for One Stop, which opens up regularly with three sessions scheduled between now and Christmas.

These events offer a chance for individuals who have a business idea to talk them through with experts in a confidential environment and receive feedback on how to protect their ideas, as well as exploring the potential for turning their idea into something more.

In essence the shop provides an opportunity for anyone with an idea to get guidance on how they can take a seed of an idea, plant it and then grow it into a viable business.

Thompson Jenner LLP Partner, Simon Lewis, one of the firms Exmouth accountants, will be attending the events and providing expert financial advice along with a panel of other specialists.

Simon said: “We are delighted to have been invited to join the panel of expert advisers at Plymouth Universities One Stop Ideas Shop. The University provides a superb support network to its students and spin out businesses and we are pleased to be able to offer our assistance. As Devon based Chartered Accountants we already work closely with the University on other projects and have been delighted to see how successful and rewarding this partnership has become.

We work with a variety of young businesses in different stages of growth and understand the challenges faced. So, it doesn't matter if you just have a business idea or are just looking to explore new business growth ideas, we have the background experience to be able to offer advice and guidance through those difficult early stages.”

Eleanor Butland who is Formation Zone Programme Manager at the University of Plymouth added:

“Plymouth University has partnered with leading Intellectual Property and business development organisations over the last six years, including PATLIB and N.J Akers & Co, to establish the One Stop Ideas Shop. When the opportunity arose for a new accountancy expert to join the panel we looked to Thompson Jenner LLP and Simon to add their expertise and experience in supporting new innovative commercial ideas. We’re now looking forward to the next generation of ideas to come forward”

This link up between Thompson Jenner LLP and Plymouth University is the latest in a string of initiatives, with the company having already forged a great partnership with the University of Plymouth Research and Innovation team.

Thompson Jenner LLP provides specialist Research & Development tax advice and assistance to young technology companies wishing to take advantage of gaining funds via the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) options – yet another
example of the firm’s commitment to helping young entrepreneurs and technology based start- up business.

There is a £25 cost to attend the One Stop Ideas Shop, however students and the unemployed will be refunded this amount upon attendance of a session they have booked into.

For more information on the events or to book a place, contact Plymouth University's Enterprise Solutions team by emailing enterprisesolutions@plymouth.ac.uk or calling 08000 525600

Sessions take place on the main Plymouth University campus in Plymouth City Centre (2nd Floor, Marine Building) on 12 October (8am-12pm), 9 November (2pm-7pm) and 7 December (8am-12pm).