Professionals: Law firm to advise on expanded tech sector visa scheme; Name change for accountancy firm

Law firm Ward Hadaway is continuing to play its part in helping to bring some of the world’s most talented tech sector people to companies across the North of England.

The firm, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, is again working with regional technology industry organisation Tech North on the Tech Nation Visa Scheme.

The scheme aims to make it possible for tech talent from around the world to come and work in the UK’s digital technology sector.

Ward Hadaway has been an official legal partner for the Tech Nation Visa Scheme since last year.

The firm has now signed up for a further year, meaning that immigration experts at Ward Hadaway will provide legal support for companies across the North who are looking to employ world leaders or rising stars in the tech industry, and those individuals thinking of applying for a visa to work in the UK tech industry.

Flora Mewies, solicitor in the employment team at Ward Hadaway, said: “As the recent Tech Nation report showed, the tech sector across the North of England is creating jobs and prosperity at twice the rate of the rest of the economy.

“Over the past year, the sector has created over 20,000 jobs and has seen its contribution to the region’s economy grow by almost £2bn.

“Many of the companies in the sector are leading the world in their respective fields which means that, whilst the vast majority of jobs they create will be home-grown, having access to exceptionally talented people across the globe can help them to get even further ahead of their competitors.

“The Tech Nation Visa Scheme aims to help them do exactly that, ensuring that the economy in the North of England benefits from exceptionally talented individuals from overseas whilst keeping in line with Government immigration targets and policy.

“The fact that the scheme has been extended from 200 visas to 250 shows how important the Government sees the initiative in terms of keeping the UK tech sector ahead of the field.
“We are delighted to once again be involved in the scheme, to be working with Tech North and tech companies across the North on ensuring the region benefits from a world of expertise, something of increasing importance as the countdown to Brexit continues.”

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John Warner and Nigel Bullas

BRADFORD chartered accountancy firm BHP Clough & Company is rebranding and shortening its name to BHP.

BHP Clough & Company was born out of the 2015 merger of longstanding Bradford firm Clough & Company and BHP Chartered Accountants.  Since then the company has continued growing and now employs more than 300 people across five offices in Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, offering a full range of assurance, consulting, corporate finance and taxation services.

John Warner, managing partner at BHP says: “Following the merger two years ago, BHP has continued to expand, raise its profile and build on its reputation as the North of England’s leading accounting powerhouse.  It now therefore makes sense for all our offices and employees to come under the same BHP umbrella.

“Since it was formed in 1953, Clough & Company has built a very strong reputation in West Yorkshire, which is what initially attracted us to the merger opportunity.  The company’s legacy will certainly continue through our modern purpose built Bradford office and the highly dedicated team that has integrated fantastically well into BHP over the last two years.”

Nigel Bullas, managing partner of BHP’s Bradford office, says: “It’s testament to the team’s hard work and commitment that we have successfully continued to build on the Bradford office’s wide-spanning client base, many of which have been with the firm for several decades, and are now able to take advantage of the merged group’s enhanced range of services.

“The Bradford office now employs a 70 strong team and we’re continuing to recruit further people over the next 12 months, as we continue winning new work across all industries and sectors, which makes it a very exciting time for everyone at BHP.”