logo
Business Advisory Group Expands Cardiff Office

Business Advisory Group Expands Cardiff Office

Business advisory group Dow Schofield Watts (DSW) is expanding its corporate finance team in Cardiff.
DSW's Cardiff office expansion comes after an 'exceptional' 2024, marked by £809 millio in deals and a 36% increase in overall deal value from 2023. The move will enable DSW to further capitalise on new opportunities, enabling business owners in the UK regions to create, protect and realise value – predominantly through acquisitions, share sales and investments.
In addition to the move to new offices in March, DSW has strengthened its corporate finance team in Cardiff with the appointment of Josh Morris as an analyst.
Josh, a graduate from the University of Exeter, brings transaction experience and an entrepreneurial mindset, having both worked in the field and exited a business that he founded. He previously worked at Prydis Accounting and Wealth in Exeter, where he developed expertise in M&A, accounting, tax, and business valuations. Josh is partway through his ACCA Chartership and is eager to contribute to DSW's continued success.
Koo Aseeley, corporate finance partner at Dow Schofield Watts in Cardiff, said:
'The office move has given us the capacity to grow and strengthen the team with talented local professionals. Welcoming Josh on board – following his recent successful exit – marks another important step in our expansion across the region. We're excited to continue building momentum and delivering outstanding results for our clients.'
Michael Dunn, partner in the corporate finance team at Dow Schofield Watts in Cardiff, said:
'Expanding our Cardiff office is a natural step as we continue to grow and strengthen our presence. With a larger team and improved facilities, we're in an even better position to support businesses as we move into 2025. We're excited about the opportunities ahead and the chance to help our clients navigate what's next in a fast-changing market.'
Shru Morris, CEO at Dow Schofield Watts, said:
'2024 has been a remarkable year for Dow Schofield Watts, and we are excited to continue expanding our presence in key regions like Cardiff. This office expansion reflects our commitment to supporting businesses across the UK as they grow and evolve. With the team growing and exciting prospects ahead, we're confident that 2025 will be another year of success for our team and our clients.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Anger as 23% of units on Aberdeen's Union Street are empty
Anger as 23% of units on Aberdeen's Union Street are empty

The Herald Scotland

time4 days ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Anger as 23% of units on Aberdeen's Union Street are empty

An occupancy survey carried out by property consultants FG Burnett found that 43 units on the street are not in use, up from 40 in February. The central span of Union Street has been closed to traffic since April 2024. (Image: Josh) The report states: 'As things stand as at 1st August, the void level equates to 23% of the total, up from 21% six months ago. Planned openings in the short term would see that come back down to the 21% level.' At the north end of Union Street, Edin Hutt, McGinty's, Esslemonts, and The Cleavin Barber ceased operations, while JD Sports, MHA, and Union Kebab House closed in the south end of the street. Meanwhile, Our Union Street, Black Sheep Coffee, Tartans/Scarves retailer, Glenhouse Restaurant and Luna Chinese Bistro and Scott Mobile and Vapes have occupied units over the last six months. Richard Noble, Director at FG Burnett, commented: 'Our survey includes the best part of 190 premises and we expect to see changes over a six month period. Not a lot has changed in terms of the general trend with voids remaining stubbornly high at around 1 in 5. 'The very successful City Council Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme remains open and will continue to attract applications subject to availability of funds. The significant works going on within the traditional prime stretch between Bridge Street and Market Street have not helped footfall levels in the City Centre generally. "The works started in April 2024 and our 3 surveys since that time show voids in that specific stretch rising to stand at 23% of the total of 43 units. 'The trend in this particular location has generally been negative in the last 18 months or so with RBS, JD Sports and Bravissimo ceasing trading. A shining light has been the opening of the Jamieson & Carry flagship following major redevelopment and investment.' The thoroughfare was hit with another closure on Wednesday, when clothing store Attic, which has operated in the city centre since 2001, announced it was shutting its doors. In a statement on social media, the shop's owners said: "After 24 years of serving our community, we are heart broken to be saying goodbye. This decision was not made lightly, but as we turn the page to a new chapter, we want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who walked through our doors, supported our small business, and helped make this journey so special. "Your loyalty, kindness, and friendship have meant the world to us. Whether you came in for the perfect outfit, a thoughtful gift, or just a friendly chat, you became part of our story—and for that, we are truly grateful. Tory MSP Liam Kerr has slammed news of the closure. (Image: Supplied) Conservative MSP Liam Kerr hit out at Aberdeen City Council over the closure, noting: 'The closure of Attic after almost 25 years marks a sad day for Aberdeen and underlines the dire predicament businesses have been left in by the continual disruption to Union Street. 'Businesses like Attic which have remained loyal to Union Street throughout the delayed works have been left with no choice but to now close their doors because of Aberdeen City Council's negligence. 'This has been compounded by the council's decision to implement permanent bus gates and LEZs in the city that are starving shops of footfall.' Controversial bus gates were implemented in the city centre in August 2023, banning car traffic from several key streets. Business owners angry at the lack of consultation surrounding the decision have taken the local authority to court, lodging a judicial review at the Court of Session. Norman Esslemont, who is leading the group, previously said: "I have been a local businessman for 60 years and have never witnessed a council so out of touch with the public (their voters). Bus gates are destroying the city centre and need to be scrapped." Read more: 'Awa wi ye': What I saw at Donald Trump's frosty welcome in Aberdeen Chewing gum cull on main Aberdeen thoroughfare after £27k grant Donald Trump met by large protests outside Aberdeenshire golf course However, the local authority has defended the bus gates as "essential". Council co-leader Christian Allard said in January: 'These bus priority measures are essential to ensuring public transport moves around our city centre as efficiently as possible. 'I would highlight that motorists are accessing our city centre car parks, planning their journey, and becoming familiar with the bus priority routes. 'Looking at the bigger picture, and the long term goal, we will have a much improved city centre that is a destination and not a through route. 'We are driving forward bold plans, and I would suggest we are judged come 2027 on what we have delivered.'

Tonight's rugby news as former Wales captain lands top new job and global game 'faces devastation'
Tonight's rugby news as former Wales captain lands top new job and global game 'faces devastation'

Wales Online

time5 days ago

  • Wales Online

Tonight's rugby news as former Wales captain lands top new job and global game 'faces devastation'

Tonight's rugby news as former Wales captain lands top new job and global game 'faces devastation' The latest headlines from Wales and around the world (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, August 13. ‌ Ex-Wales captain lands top new job Former Wales captain Ellis Jenkins is starting a "new chapter" of his life after joining financial advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts. The Cardiff Rugby legend retired last year, as he called time on a professional career that saw him represent the capital city region nearly 150 times and win 13 caps for Wales. He also captained his country on four occasions, while he was the skipper for Cardiff's 2018 European Challenge Cup final victory over Gloucester in Bilbao. ‌ While playing, Jenkins studied an Executive MBA in Business Administration, Management and Operations at Cardiff University, while he sat on the Executive Committee for the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) for eight years, playing a leading role in regular negotiations with the Welsh Rugby Union. ‌ Since hanging up his boots at the end of the 2023/24 season, the 32-year-old has also worked as a pundit for the BBC. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby Now, however, he is taking the first major step in his new career outside of rugby, having joined Dow Schofield Watts' Cardiff-based corporate finance team as corporate relations lead. As his appointment was confirmed, Jenkins said: 'After taking time to reflect on 15 years of professional rugby and consider my next steps, I'm excited to begin a new chapter in my career with DSW Cardiff. Article continues below "I'm joining a dynamic team that is growing rapidly across Wales and the South West, and I'm confident that my experience of problem solving in high pressure sporting situations will serve me well in the fast-paced world of corporate finance." Koo Aseeley, partner in the corporate finance team at Dow Schofield Watts in Cardiff, added: "We're excited about the continued growth of the Cardiff team. "Ellis brings outstanding leadership experience, an ambitious mindset and a fantastic network from his time in elite sport. We're looking forward to the value he'll bring to our clients and team." ‌ Global rugby calendar 'faces devastation' Three All Blacks greats have spoken of the threat that the new R360 rebel league poses to rugby's established order, claiming that it will "devastate" competitions across the world. Fronted by England World Cup winner Mike Tindall, the proposed new breakaway franchise league wants to create 'generational change in rugby' and will rip up the sport as we know it. At the heart of the proposals is the creation of 12 new franchise teams, each boasting some of the world's top rugby talent, with players reportedly being offered contracts worth up to around $1 million (£740,000) per season. The plans are rapidly gaining traction, with several current top-level internationals believed to have agreed to join the ambitious project, while 15 Wales stars have also been targeted. ‌ With the league hoped to get under way in September next year, New Zealand greats Mils Muliaina, Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall have spoken of their concerns over the impact it will have on the global game. 'It's definitely a game-changer and it's definitely got some legs behind it now," Muliaina told The Breakdown. "A couple of months ago, you thought it would never get off the ground. 'World Rugby will be worried, the competitions will be worried. They have signed a few players. It's the window it's going to be in. During Super Rugby, what does it look like? ‌ "If I was World Rugby, I would be really worried right now. What does it look like?' Offering a more damning assessment, Wilson added: 'This basically would devastate every competition across the world because they are all the same windows. "They are talking about playing the same time as the Top 14, Japan Rugby League One, Super Rugby; all of a sudden you're filling out squads of players from around the world. ‌ 'You want to have credibility so you are trying to take the best from New Zealand, the best from South Africa, Australia. This is something World Rugby will have to deal with, and this is probably the truest test of professionalism.' Comparing R360 to LIV Golf, which saw a number of the world's top golfers leave the PGA Tour to join the lucrative Saudi Arabian-backed project, Marshall agreed with his fellow pundits and said: 'It's going to have a massive impact on international rugby. "The differences between the Mo'ungas that are going away or the Jordie Barretts, yes they earn good money but not this type of money. As an international rugby player to secure your future, it's like the golfers have done. ‌ "At the end of the day, they still know they can play competitively but they know they don't have to worry about money anymore.' Wallabies to unleash 'Jack Russell and Great Dane' Australia are planning to utilise Will Skelton and Nic White to full effect against South Africa in their Rugby Championship encounter this weekend. The Springboks have won their last four encounters against Australia, so Joe Schmidt's side are well in need of a win against the reigning world champions. ‌ Despite hanging up his boots following the recent British & Irish Lions Test series, scrum-half White has returned for the Rugby Championship, while Skelton made an instant impact in the second Test against Andy Farrell's team. And, according to Wallabies star Tom Hooper, there is hope that the pair will play a central role in their bid for victory against Rassie Erasmus' side. "Will (Skelton) will definitely be up for that challenge, and anyone picked in the jersey alongside him will follow him into battle," explained Hooper. "Will is an enforcer, and that is what he has been doing for a long time in the beautiful sport of rugby. Article continues below "For lack of a better word, he loves being that grub; he loves taking it to teams physically and making the gentleman's game a little more exciting. We love playing alongside him, and he is just a huge physical presence. "You've got the Great Dane in Will Skelton, and then you've got the little Jack Russell in Nic — and the Jack Russell is sometimes a little more fiery. He loves nipping at the heels of the opposition and not taking a backwards step. "That's the kind of spirit we want to play with going forward. You can see that he inspires the 23 on the field. We won't take a backwards step against the Boks because we can't afford to."

Luxury watch dealer that counts Premier League stars including Wayne Rooney as clients goes bust with £1m of debts
Luxury watch dealer that counts Premier League stars including Wayne Rooney as clients goes bust with £1m of debts

Scottish Sun

time10-08-2025

  • Scottish Sun

Luxury watch dealer that counts Premier League stars including Wayne Rooney as clients goes bust with £1m of debts

The watch dealer is the brother of a former Manchester United star and Scotland international ALL TICKING OFF ALL TICKING OFF Luxury watch dealer that counts Premier League stars including Wayne Rooney as clients goes bust with £1m of debts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LUXURY watch dealer who counts Premier League stars among his clients has gone bust with debts of nearly £1million. Josh Bardsley — brother of ex-Man United player Phil — set up Avant-Garde Global in 2018 and built up a celebrity client list. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Luxury watch dealer Josh Bardsley who counts Prem stars among his clients has gone bust with debts of nearly £1m 3 Client Wayne Rooney pictured receiving his £50,000 Rolex from Avant-Garde Global But his company, which owed £949,984, was wound up in the High Court in June last year. A source said: 'Josh has been keeping a low profile. "There's quite a few people keen to find him as they want to know what has happened to their money. 'Some of his footballer mates gave him a leg-up financially. "But no one knows where he is. "The players are angry that he's betrayed their trust.' Josh was said to have used his football links to build up his business, supplying high-end watches. He was pictured in 2020 delivering a £50,000 Rolex to his brother's close pal Wayne Rooney. The crash comes as Phil and wife Tanya star in ITV reality show The Bardsley Bunch. Josh last night denied any wrongdoing and insisted he remained on good terms with brother Phil. 3 Josh was said to have used his football links to build up his business, supplying high-end watches Credit: Rolex

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store