Fresh Perspectives

Azets

Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    #10 CONSTRUCTION TAX ALERT - Why More Businesses Get This Wrong

    This episode of Fresh Perspectives explores the Construction Industry Scheme and why it presents a growing risk for businesses well beyond traditional construction firms. Rob Brown is joined by Jo Gander, Employment Tax Adviser at Azets, who explains why the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) remains one of the most complex and high-risk areas of employment tax. They look at how HMRC scrutiny is increasing, why many businesses wrongly assume CIS does not apply to them, and how firms can become exposed without realising it. Jo Gander is an Employment Tax Adviser at Azets with specialist expertise in the Construction Industry Scheme. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

    21 min
  2. 4 FEB

    #9 2026 OUTLOOK - What SME Business Owners Can Expect This Year

    One month down in 2026 and business owners continue to face uncertainty, rising costs, and increasing pressure to make the right decisions at speed. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Rob Brown is joined by Peter Gallanagh, UK & Ireland CEO at Azets, to unpack what the year is likely to bring for SME leaders. Peter reflects on the structural challenges businesses are carrying forward, from cost pressures and access to finance to automation, AI and leadership strain. He explains why clarity, scenario planning and strong adviser relationships will be critical in helping businesses stay resilient and confident. The conversation also explores what strong leadership needs to look like in 2026, how owners can balance caution with growth, and why advisers who understand the full picture of a business are best placed to help navigate what comes next. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

    25 min
  3. 28 JAN

    #8 TIPPING POINT - The Rules Hospitality Businesses Can’t Afford To Ignore

    In this episode, we explore the Tipping Act and what it means for employers, payroll teams, and HR leaders, with expert insight from Hannah-Jane Dobbie and Julie Gunnell. We break down what qualifies as a tip, how service charges should be handled, and the responsibilities businesses now carry around fairness, transparency, and record keeping. The discussion also looks ahead to changes coming in October 2026, including new consultation requirements and policy updates, and what employers should be doing now to stay compliant and avoid risk. In this conversation we cover the difference between tips and service charges, which businesses are most affected, how payroll and HR must work together, the consequences of non-compliance, and why proactive advice is critical as employment legislation continues to evolve. Hannah-Jane Dobbie is Head of HR Consultancy at Azets, supporting employers with complex people and employment challenges. Connect with Hannah-Jane on LinkedIn. Julie Gunnell is Associate Director of Growth for Payroll at Azets, advising businesses on compliant and transparent payroll processes. Connect with Julie on LinkedIn. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

    21 min
  4. 21 JAN

    #7 CASHFLOW CONFIDENCE - PART 2: The Cash Hidden In Your Business

    In Part 2 of Cash Flow Confidence, we continue the conversation with Matthew Grant, following on from Part 1 where we explored why profitable businesses still run into trouble because of cash flow. In Part 1 Matthew unpacked the most common cash flow mistakes he sees in growing SMEs, from weak terms of trade and slow debtor management to a lack of visibility over the true cash position of the business. In this second part, the focus shifts from awareness to action. Matthew breaks down three practical operational levers that can unlock cash already sitting inside a business: the sales cycle, the purchases cycle and the stock cycle. We also discuss why forecasting and scenario planning are now essential disciplines, and how SMEs can use the right systems, processes and tools to stay ahead of cash pressure rather than constantly firefighting. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets where advisers, experts and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

    16 min
  5. 14 JAN

    #6 LEADING AT SCALE - Purpose, People, Performance. In That Order.

    In this episode, Chris Horne, CEO of Azets Group, reflects on what it really means to lead a people-first, tech-enabled accountancy group at scale. From fast-tracked digitisation in the pandemic to scaling across eight countries through selective M&A, Chris explains why alignment beats speed alone - because direction builds an army, not crowd control. The future of accountancy, Chris argues, is ‘full stack’, with AI for insight and benchmarking, humans for trust and relationships, and culture as the connective tissue. Looking ahead to 2026 with optimism, Chris reinforces a leadership philosophy that doubles as Azets’ competitive edge: purpose, people, performance. In that order. Great data needs great people to deliver it, and sustainable growth starts with a story everyone can genuinely believe and repeat. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

    32 min
  6. 17/12/2025

    #4 BUDGET INSIGHTS – What Employers Need to Know Now

    Recorded one week after the UK Autumn Statement 2025, this episode looks at the employment tax impact, featuring Jez Howson, Employment Tax Partner at Azets. Jez explains the real-world implications for employers as wage inflation, pension changes and national insurance adjustments reshape workforce costs. We explore the risks, the opportunities and the actions businesses should be taking now. The conversation covers national minimum wage increases, pension salary sacrifice changes, IR35 and off-payroll labour considerations, umbrella company risks and how employers can stay ahead of rising compliance pressures. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

    21 min
  7. 10/12/2025

    #3 WEALTH WARNING – The Quiet Tax Changes Hidden in The Budget

    This episode looks at the private client impact of the Autumn Budget, featuring Jodie Barwick Bell, Private Client Partner at Azets. Jodie explains how the changes affect property owners, wealthy families and business owners, exploring what the new rules mean for investments, inheritance tax and the broader planning landscape. The conversation covers cover property income tax increases, structuring options, investment portfolios, ISAs, family investment companies, dividend changes, EIS opportunities, the new council tax surcharge, inheritance tax reform, estate planning, trusts, pension changes and what families need to prepare for ahead of April 2026. +++ Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.

    20 min
5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Fresh Perspectives is the business podcast from Azets – where advisers, experts, and leaders share fresh thinking to help you move forward with confidence. Each episode explores real-world challenges and opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs, from finance and growth to leadership and technology. Formerly Bang The Drum, the show continues Azets’ commitment to sharing practical advice, new ideas, and inspiring stories from across the business community. This podcast has featured at #1 in the Apple Podcast charts for Management podcasts and #19 in the Apple Podcasts charts for Business podcasts. Follow and subscribe to Fresh Perspectives on your favourite player, leave a review and share it with others who you think might enjoy it. Find more about Azets at www.azets.com. Contact us at podcast@azets.co.uk.