Callum is the owner of Fresh Business Solutions, a modern-thinking accountancy business based in Spennymoor, working with over 500 clients across the UK.
Growing from humble beginnings in a small town in the North East of England, to a portfolio of clients reaching as far as London and the South coast of England, the company provides a range of services to help business owners run their businesses as efficiently as possible. Services include preparation of accounts, bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, tax returns, insurance, accounting software and more.
What were your career ambitions growing up?
I wanted to be an entrepreneur from a very early age – I found the idea of running a business exciting and wanted to pursue that. I was always interested in the figures side of business, too, so I thought that accountancy would allow me to sink my teeth into all of my interests at once and chase those dreams.
Tell us about your current role and what do you most enjoy?
My current role across the whole Fresh business group is to bring in new business and focus on growth as well as ensuring that our staff are given the best training and that our clients are given the best service. In addition to owning Fresh Business Solutions, I am the Finance Director for digital marketing agency, Fresh Digital and also for The Axe House. I part-own a local pub, too – this varied experience keeps things new and exciting and I enjoy transferring learnings across the businesses to benefit them all.
What is your proudest business achievement?
Genuinely, there are many but I have to say that building a 500+ client practice from the ground up without any major financial backing is the main one. My parents loaned me £2,500 to move in to my first office which was an absolute game changer. I couldn’t have done what I have without their support and I am so proud of what I have built as a result. I would also say the fact that I have trained two very talented accountants in Lucy Lyons and James Curry, who I have supported through industry training and recently became directors of Fresh Business Solutions.
How has your industry evolved in the last decade and what changes do you see in the next decade?
I have watched a very outdated accountancy industry be propelled forward by the introduction of technology and a major focus for me is to continue to be at the forefront of this evolution – it is something we have prided ourselves on from the beginning. I think in the future, the most important thing that needs to happen is that HMRC and other government departments continue to try and modernise their own processes and catch up to where accountancy is as currently, while we need to work with them to meet both our and clients’ obligations, this can be very clunky, slow and difficult – which it really doesn’t need to be given the technology we quite literally have at our fingertips.
What are you currently working on?
We are currently working on a couple of private accountancy practice acquisitions, as well as looking at opening a brand new office over in Hartlepool to support our continuing growth trajectory. We are also looking at creating a range of seminars/ webinars on how businesses can use technology to improve their efficiency, sharing our learnings with others to help support the local economy.
Tell us about the team you work with?
In the Fresh Business Solutions team, we have myself, two qualified accountants, a VAT bookkeeper, a payroll specialist and an accounts apprentice, with the intention of growing the team further to support our growing client base. The team is chock full of character – amazing at their jobs but we make accounting accessible and less of a chore!
What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
Definitely not to be so hard on myself and to realise that no matter what you do, you can’t please everybody.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
I’d love to be working remotely abroad for most of the year – my partner Ashley is the Managing Director of our digital business and also loves travel – hopefully we can take that side of the business global.
Who would be your four ideal dinner guests, alive or dead?
It would have to be… Winston Churchill, Stephen Fry, Einstein and Sir David Attenborough. Imagine the conversation?!
How do you unwind outside of work?
I love playing or watching football and am a huge Middlesbrough and Spennymoor Town fan. Holidays with the family, and food… as much food as possible! But most importantly – #UTB!
Favourite book and boxset?
The original Robin Hood novel and Friends – they were on a break!
01388 417747, hello@freshbusinesssolutions.co.uk
freshbusinesssolutions.co.uk