Harts CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Law firm launches ambitious academy with Harts as key partner – Feb 2013

Posted: 14th Jun

Harts has teamed up with Gorvins Solicitors to develop a prestigious school of education and training to help business.

The move comes after repeated requests made to Gorvins by SME businesses for affordable, ‘added value’, guidance and training on a broad range of commercial issues.

The Academy’s initial focus on workplace and employment education will be just the start of an ambitious long-term vision from Gorvins to provide a full range of business commercial training programmes for SMEs in the region.

Harts joins 12 other experts working with Gorvins to deliver this first phase of the Business Academy programme. The firm will be providing tax advice and strategies around senior exits.

Other key players include the Priory Hospital Group, the leading independent provider of mental health services, and Shaw Trust, the largest UK provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people.

Emma Harvey, head of the Gorvins Business Academy, said: “The Academy exists to help businesses both to become better educated on commercial issues but also to provide them with access to a fantastic range of experts who can support them in achieving better business performance and growth. We are starting with workplace and employment education, but the Academy will ultimately provide one of the most robust training and development programmes for businesses in the region.

“We are launching with a series of ‘taster’ courses as well as expert programmes for senior personnel and directors dealing with issues such as mental health in the workplace, employee engagement, senior exits and corporate manslaughter.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Gorvins and are delighted to be one of the first companies involved in the Academy,” said Chris O’Hara. It’s great to be helping to shape its offer, and working with other pre-eminent experts in field to make the Academy the ‘go-to’ place for SME business support.

Gorvins Managing Partner Lorraine Lockie said the Academy would provide a new depth and breadth of training offer from the firm to existing and potential clients.

“It is about using our excellent relationships with specialist partners to benefit our clients’ businesses as much as possible. The venture aims to help people better understand the challenges which can adversely affect company performance and take the right course of action.”

The first phase of courses is offered as introductory two-hour breakfast Topic Tasters or half-day Expert Programmes, all at Gorvins offices in central Stockport, or bespoke workshops at clients’ premises. The Foundation Course in HR – from recruitment to retirement – will offer one of the most comprehensive groundings in employment law available.

The Academy will also be used as a platform to host round table forums to discuss key business topics and help Gorvins better represent the views of small business as it continues to lobby Government in a range of consultations.

Costs for the training start from £59 plus VAT. Emma Harvey again: “This is a step change in business advice provision for Gorvins reflecting the needs of our clients and the diversity and calibre of the expert partners we are delighted to be working with.”

For more information about the courses available or to book training visit www.gorvinsbusinessacademy.co.uk, call 0161 930 5298 or email businessacademy@gorvins.com.