Our clients

Variety is the spice?

We’ve got a varied and diverse set of skills and experiences at Ripe. And we use them to provide services to a wide range of clients. Our clients pretty much do everything….designers, producers, solicitors, manufacturers, creative artists, property investors and developers, software technicians, app designers……whilst not forgetting those in the Not for Profit and Charity sectors. Whilst some are lucky enough to have retired.

Boss Recruitment

Problem

The bank manager of Boss Recruitment, which operates through a number of subsidiaries, was very worried about a lack of financial control and was concerned about the limitations of the incumbent accountant.

Solution

Ripe not only got into the nitty gritty of their accounts, but gave guidance and advice on the bookkeeping, VAT returns and produced monthly management accounts, from which the  client understood the need for budgets, which Ripe prepared. Ripe recognised risk areas and addressed them, including advising on shareholders’ agreements and HR issues.

Outcome

The group established solid foundations from which they were able to grow five-fold with Ripe India taking over more and more of the bookkeeping function and Ripe London becoming trusted advisors.

Clockaudio Limited

Problem

When Jim and Tina Hallington were setting up their business in 1994, they were looking for accountants they could relate to, who understood them and their aspirations for their business.

Solution

Rob’s father started acting for the client in 1994, with Rob taking over from him in 1998. We have   enjoyed a lengthy and mutually rewarding relationship, helping the company reach its first milestone of £1m and growing from strength to strength, with innovative new products, overseas subsidiaries and sales worldwide.

Outcome

Jim and Tina know we’re always there for them, looking after all their compliance needs, such as payroll and statutory accounts, as well offering advice on matters ranging from acquisitions and heads of terms, to share buy-backs, pensions and property VAT. They need accountants they can rely on to cover such a wide range of services: and Ripe delivers.

What our clients say

“I have known Robert for a few years now and have successfully referred business to RIPE. I believe that their best assets are experience, approach and execution. I have personally attended a Ripe for Growth workshop. It was extremely valuable to me. Business advisory and support is something I believe strongly in. The environment was engaging and informative and I was able to learn from the stories shared by the other business owners in the room and make some useful contacts. I am delighted to see that the workshop is expanding online with additional support.”

TOKS SOTANDE-PETERS, RELATIONSHIP DIRECTOR, US AND CANADA, BARCLAYS OVERSEAS SERVICES

“We worked with Rob on how we could grow Smartbags.co.uk. We focused on the best operating model to suit our personal & business needs and the strategy to support achieving that. It gave us the opportunity to stand back and work on the business, rather than in the business – which we were becoming exhausted from! I am pleased to say a couple of years later, Smartbags.co.uk has a great team, robust systems and has enjoyed year on year growth. What is even better I do not feel trapped in a ‘job’ within my own company but enjoy the freedom that I always wanted as a business owner.”

LEANNE DAL SANTO

“The biggest issue with medium sized enterprises, is the entrepreneur works tirelessly running his business, and spends insufficient time working on his business. I found the strategic sessions with Ripe challenging and thought provoking – sometimes uncomfortable, but that was solely because they drew out issues perhaps I didn’t want to face.”

PAUL T CINNAMON, CINNAMON EXECUTIVE

“I have both benefitted from and admired Ripe’s approach to business advice and development over many years. They have been wise and supportive in good and bad times and the Ripe for Growth web-site will be a vital tool for dynamic companies.”

RALPH GOODSTONE, LE CASHMERE DIRECTOR AND CHAIR ETHICAL FASHION FORUM

“I attended most of the Ripe Business Club evenings. I learned a lot both from Ripe themselves and other members, talking about their businesses and sharing ideas.”

JOHN FRIED

“It was great to be able to raise and resolve problems in a supportive environment; and to invest time in thinking about my business strategically…and developing a plan.”

DAVID ZYSBLAT, CEO & FOUNDER, WIREDFLOW

“I attended ripe’s workshops on “growth strategies” and found them really useful, learning new ways to consider competitor analysis and product benefits. More importantly, they gave rise to action points that have helped my business.”

DAN RHODES, DANIEL RHODES & ASSOCIATES

“I’ve been a keen participant of the Ripe Business Club from its inception. As an SME business owner it’s accorded me an opportunity to interact with others involved in a multitude of business activities and whose perceptions, issues and experiences differ from my own.

These meetings were chaired by Rob Glazer – Ripe’s Managing Partner – who chose perceptive business topics for discussion & discourse; hearing from us and sharing the benefits of his learned wisdom on multifarious issues ranging from effective communications to strategic planning, employee relations and all points in between.

All participants gained from the interactions and I’d unhesitatingly recommend others to consider engaging Ripe to enhance their business processes.”

ASHOKE SETHIA, FLOCK-LIVING

“I attended several of the workshops at Ripe’s premises and always found them useful and thought provoking. I was even asked to present at one on the benefits of using Microsoft Office more effectively on both iPad and PC.

The workshops focussed on Leadership, Product marketing and Finding your Niche – Robert Glazer brought a wealth of experience to the table. The sessions were professionally run and always gave good value along with practical worksheets and much discussion.

I highly recommend attending a Ripe for Growth Workshop!”

SHELLEY FISHEL, FOUNDER, THE IT TRAINING SURGERY

“We would like to thank Robert and Pratima for their wise counsel and support over the years, helping us through our merger and exit strategies and always being there for us.”

BRUCE CLOSS, FORMER MD OF SPIN OFFSET LTD

“I have worked with Robert and Pratima for more than 10 years and without their support I really doubt that my IT start-up business would have got off the ground. When we set it up, we had no funding and very little planning. The company now has over 8,500 blue chip customers world- wide and I have been able to stop working. After a few years out, I have recently set up a sales training company and their help and support has been invaluable in building and growing this new business venture. Ripe are not just accountants, they are partners in my business.”

LUKE DAVIES, SANDLER TRAINING

“Ripe have provided us with valued advice in matters ranging from HR to sales and marketing; they think like business people, not just auditors and act like consultants who really understand our business.”

BHARAT SHETH, MD OF MICRO MINDER PLC

“I have been using Ripe for four years now and have found them to be very prompt and professional as well as very pleasant to deal with. We know our affairs are in safe hands.”

BRIAN CORR OF CORR ENGINEERING LIMITED
30/01/20

“I have worked with the very excellent Robert Glazer and his team, and before that his father, Don Glazer, for more years than I care to count.

As a writer, working freelance in the arts, the qualities Robert and his team bring to me are invaluable. Their humanity and patience and knowledge, for someone who hates accounting as much as I do, is a Godsend.

Ripe is one of the most important pillars of my professional life. Without them, I think I really would be lost. I trust and count on them.”

CAROL DRINKWATER
30/01/20

“It is timely to express my thanks to you and your team. Specifically, I want to emphasise that above all else, Ripe understands how in an SME the founding directors and especially the CEO often put everything on the line in ensuring that their dream flourishes.

Through my companies, notably McCormack Ltd and Off-label Ltd I have experienced different Accountancy firms across the whole spectrum. In the 80s and 90s, McCormack’s accounts were managed and audited by KPMG (Milton Keynes) and the proposed sale of Off-label Ltd to Wolters Kluwer was negotiated conjointly by KPMG (London) and KPMG (St Albans) with ad hoc legal guidance provided by Bird and Bird (London); with several smaller regional practices (and book-keepers) managing McCormack’s accounts at different times.

The point here is that as founder and CEO of McCormack and Off-Label, I am well-positioned to compare and contrast the support provided by different Accountancy firms, from regional practices to the largest international organisations, in day-to-day finance through to a full-blown Corporate sale; and picking up the pieces when the latter sale collapsed.

Looking back in a somewhat reflective mood; from where I stand today, unequivocally, Ripe stands above the rest. The approach and advice offered by Ripe is realistic, utterly erudite and always consistent with best business practices. Ripe understands my business, and my hopes and aspirations. Knowing this, I listen carefully to what Ripe has to say. A few examples illustrate this nicely:

In 2016/17, in addition to providing essential practical advice, your encouragement was invaluable as I navigated a very significant business transaction, that on a personal level enabled me to eventually become mortgage-free. I want to iterate that period as this supports my assertion above that Ripe understands the pressures faced by Directors in SMEs.

Some years later after the collapse of the Corporate sale to which I allude above, I met you, and it was through your contacts and advice that I was able to once more obtain a personal mortgage (I was aged 65 years at that time, so no mean feat).

In recent times, it was you who persuaded me to make time and get to grips with McCormack’s CORI/BLI and my own personal PPI compensation claims, that subsequently resulted in substantial payments, with more decisions pending. Today, McCormack’s balance is in very robust health!!!

In closing, Ripe understands that within SMEs such as McCormack, by necessity the CEO is frequently exposed to risk, especially when securing finance; this goes with the territory. But these days, under the security of the Ripe umbrella, those stressful years are remote and lost in history.

And one last thing!…… Pratima, you are absolutely the very best Accountancy Partner and Tax Advisor that a CEO could wish for. And as a bonus, you are such a lovely person!!”

KEITH MCCORMACK OF MCCORMACK LTD
12/03/20

 

 

“We have worked with Ripe on behalf of mutual clients since Ripe started, and are happy to recommend them to others. Their friendly approach but professional delivery give us confidence and support in providing services.”

LISA DAVEY OF SARNIA MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
06/03/20

 

“RIPE have been my accountants and advisors since it`s foundation. I have, during these years been supported by first class advice based on sound financial judgement and up to date legislation.

RIPE have been my first port of call when considering important acquisitions, disposals and tax planning both on a business and personal level delivering invaluable advice of strategy and forwards planning, I would recommend their services without reservation.”

VICTOR SCALZO OF PIRANDELLO LIMITED
08/03/20

 

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