Management buy-in for leading Swindon professional services business

Swindon-based Optimum Professional Services has undergone a management buy-in, in a watershed move for the ground-breaking firm.

Optimum, unique in the Swindon area for combining accountancy and legal services under one roof, now has five directors.

Founder Richard Mathews is joined by the management team - Jon Lacey, Michael Blaken, Iain Mason and Rob Stokes - who all become equal shareholders in the business.

“This is a real watershed for the company, which is the first of its kind in the Swindon area to offer professional services under one roof,” said Richard. “We have built a strong management team, who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise. This management buy-in secures the future of the company and sets it up for its planned growth and expansion.”

Optimum was created two years ago and broke the mould for professional services. It marked a move away from traditional professional services, by combining accountancy and legal services under one roof, making it efficient and cost-effective for clients.

Jon Lacey, who has been with Optimum from the beginning, is Finance Director and oversees the internal running of the business, including compliance.

He said: “It’s great to have the support of the team as we move forward with Optimum. I couldn’t think of four other people I would rather be working with, to build a strong company.”

Michael Blaken is Head of Accounts, and joined Optimum in December 2017. He added: “This is a really exciting time for Optimum. The model we have built, of providing accountancy and legal services to clients, has really come together.”

On the accountancy side, Optimum offers accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, business planning and business tax, personal tax, VAT and Making Tax Digital advice. With the appointment of audit specialist Rob Stokes in September, Optimum now also offers a wider range of regulatory services including services to academy schools and charities.

The legal team specialise in domestic and commercial property sales and purchase, tenancies and leases, equity release, and wills and probate.

Solicitor Iain Mason is Head of Legal Services and joined Optimum in September 2018. He commented: “Combining professional services within one business is a great proposition which is clearly working for our clients. We have an exciting opportunity here to grow the business with the new directors and the great team we have.”

Rob Stokes, Head of Audit, said he would concentrate on growing the regulatory client base, including offering services to academy schools. “We will be opening our doors to many more businesses as well as embracing technology even further, to enhance our service and free up the time we can then spend on working with clients.”

The management buy-in marks the culmination of a busy year for Optimum, which in March relocated to its own premises in Stratton, to accommodate expansion. The space and facilities enable Optimum to stage regular, free networking breakfasts for local businesses, with the next on November 27.

For more information about Optimum Professional Services visit https://www.optps.co.uk/, email [email protected] or call 01793 538 198.

To book on to the breakfast on November 27, which starts at 7.30am, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/optimum-networking-breakfast-november-tickets-75004158457?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.