Sumer stands because the UK’s main mid-market accountancy apply, providing skilled assist to SMEs throughout England, Scotland, and Northern Eire.
Ranked among the many prime 15 UK accountancy corporations, Sumer is on a mission to champion SME companies by means of native supply backed by nationwide experience. Since its inception, Sumer has grown quickly by means of strategic acquisitions, now boasting over 1,350 staff throughout greater than 40 workplaces and producing an annual turnover of over £135 million.
Sumer’s technique focuses on buying main regional practices that share its ethos, values, and strategy, forming regional Hubs solely devoted to the SME market. These Hubs profit from a broader vary of shopper companies, technological and compliance assist, funding for additional acquisitions, and alternatives for Hub colleagues.
What was the inspiration behind Sumer?
After a satisfying 26-year profession at KPMG, I felt it was time for a brand new journey past the structured setting of a Huge 4 agency. The Covid lockdowns sparked a private reset and reignited my entrepreneurial spirit, main me to step down as Chief Working Officer and begin Sumer in 2023.
The inspiration behind Sumer was the UK’s thriving but typically ignored SME group. I recognized a major hole out there and made it Sumer’s mission to champion SME companies throughout England, Northern Eire, and Scotland. Our aim is to offer top-quality accountancy companies to SMEs inside their communities, supporting a various vary of native companies from family-owned farms to tech scale-ups. These companies are the spine of Britain’s financial system, but they typically lack the assist they deserve.
Who do you admire?
I’ve nice admiration for regional accountants. Since leaving KPMG, I’ve come to understand the immense expertise and dedication present in native and regional practices. These professionals are each bit as expert as these within the Huge 4, possessing deep information of the center market and a dedication to going the additional mile for purchasers of all sizes.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ group, I additionally admire professionals from numerous backgrounds who’ve succeeded, notably within the accountancy sector. Being your true self on this business isn’t all the time simple, as even well-meaning colleagues and purchasers could make conversations awkward by assuming everyone seems to be straight. Attitudes are slowly altering, and I hope Sumer’s DE&I insurance policies will assist make the accountancy sector extra welcoming for everybody.
Trying again, is there something you’d have performed in another way?
I’ve completely loved each minute of this journey and really feel lucky to be surrounded by proficient and hardworking colleagues. Whereas I’ve made my share of errors, I don’t remorse them, as every one has offered invaluable studying experiences which have strengthened our proposition. If something, I want I took extra time to have fun our progress, as my impatience typically drives me to maintain pushing ahead.
What defines your method of doing enterprise?
Sumer is a private-equity-backed, mid-market accountancy apply devoted to supporting SMEs throughout the UK. We’ve quickly grown to determine eleven regional Hubs, using over 1,350 colleagues in simply 18 months.
Our distinctive shared possession mannequin units us aside within the accountancy market. All administration groups maintain fairness of their respective Hubs, guaranteeing they’re incentivized to serve purchasers and develop their reputations and revenues. This mutuality supplies a robust basis for Sumer’s growth.
My enterprise strategy focuses on serving to others be their finest selves and aligning incentives with this aim. I firmly imagine that progress comes from doing the best factor by purchasers and colleagues, sustaining zero tolerance for poor habits or practices.
What recommendation would you give to somebody beginning out?
Entrepreneurs typically possess bravery, creativity, and keenness for his or her markets. My recommendation is to take many small dangers—experiment, study what works, and rapidly discard what doesn’t. Adapt and repeat this course of.
Operating a fast-growing group can rapidly overwhelm even probably the most expert people. Due to this fact, it’s important to not unfold your self too skinny, risking burnout and stifling others’ growth. Distributing management and tasks is much wiser.
Moreover, working intently with a trusted accounting agency is invaluable. Our purchasers typically inform me that our assist has given them the arrogance to speculate and develop.
Lastly, be daring. Ventures that deal with unmet wants and supply colleagues with a real sense of objective could have robust foundations for fulfillment.
