Meet the team – Stuart Stead

Name

Stuart Stead

Job title

Partner and Head of Property & Construction

How long have you been at Cowgills?

A long time – 19 years, yep I know, I’ve aged well!!

Ok so what exactly do you do?

I act as an advisor for a portfolio of regional SME’s in the property and construction sector providing strategic advice and guidance and “sign-posting” to our specialist divisions including tax, property finance, audit and compliance. Essentially, I ensure that all services our clients receive from Cowgills are “joined up”.

My network of contacts is crucial to introduce people to each other in order to stimulate business activity and referrals, we’ve had some great success for our clients in this regard.

I co-founded PMJ Capital Ltd in 2015 – this is Cowgills sister bridging funding business. PMJ is a short term principal lender providing first charge secured loans on both residential and commercial properties and supporting small new build residential developments and refurbishment projects.

I also sit on the main Cowgills board.

Give us some highlights

I have relished playing a role in creating what we believe to be the North West’s only property and construction sector specific department.

I earned my spurs in the property sector working with the late and incredibly talented (and tough) Carol Ainscow throughout the recession.  It gave me incredible experience  “on the ground” which for an accountant in practice happens very rarely.

I’m also really proud of my involvement in setting up PMJ capital and seeing that continue to grow. We get stuck in, understand the deal and have a growing repeat customer base who appreciate our pragmatic and flexible approach to funding – though I have to say Dave Rainford does all the work!

What challenges do you find clients are experiencing at the moment, and how are you helping them to overcome them?

There’s the obvious uncertainty about the economic climate and tax regime. It’s an ongoing situation and we continue to keep our clients updated as developments occur. Clearly last weeks election result has helped provide an element of certainty.

There is also going to be increased complexity and risk to construction sector SME’s in areas such as IR35 and the Domestic Reverse charge which are both seeing changes in the next calendar year. We have held and are continuing to hold seminars and offer reviews in these areas for clients and generally to those involved in the sector.

Myself, Dave Rainford and Ben Day continue to work closely with and guide our clients through the ever evolving funding climate and changing parameters using our experience and contacts within the property and construction finance sector presenting proposals to funders, negotiating terms and most importantly getting deals across the line.

Any tips?

Tell it like it is