The Daffernomics Podcast

Martin Gibbs and Simon Cossey review their November Business Leader Group session, the 4th and final BLG of 2025, focussing on People, with a special guest Faye Hampson, Managing Director of Leader Marketing Partnership who has been one of the delegates at all 4 BLG sessions in 2025.We also review our 2025 Business strategy highlights from the 4 BLG sessions, (each with their own podcast episode) focussing on Trends | Leadership | Performance | and People This episode is a Footsteps production for Dafferns LLPThe information in this podcast/video is for general information only and is not intended to constitute personal tax, accounting, investment or financial advice. E&OE.Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

Martin Gibbs is joined by Dafferns tax partners Brian Jukes and Mark Brayshaw to chew over the November 2025 Budget. In a clear breach of their manifesto pledges, Chancellor Rachel Reeves came back for a second year of tax raises. This time she is after a further £26 billion on top of last year’s £40 billion. Tax and spend, but spending on “benefits that benefit a minority of people funded by working people”Check out our detailed Budget analysis at Dafferns.comThis episode is also available as a Youtube videoThe information in this podcast/video is for general information only and is not intended to constitute personal tax, accounting, investment or financial advice. Tax rates, allowances and reliefs depend on individual circumstances and may change in the future. Any examples provided are for illustration only and may not reflect your personal position. While the content is believed to be accurate at the time of recording, Budget measures may change as further detail emerges, including through draft legislation or subsequent announcements. We accept no responsibility for any losses arising from reliance on this content. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party websites referred to. E&OE.Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

The UK economy's Black Hole is apparently back to £40 billion and the Chancellor is coming back for a second bite at the apple. Will Rachel Reeves rip off the proverbial plaster and break Labour's manifesto pledge not to increase income tax or even Vat?Martin Gibbs and Dafferns' tax guru Brian Jukes are joined by Dafferns' new Corporate Tax Partner Mark Brayshaw to muse over possible tax changes in the upcoming Budget on 26 November.Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

In this episode Martin Gibbs, an accountant, is again joined by Simon Cossey, a business development specialist, bringing two very different perspectives on business strategic planning, reflecting on the September 2025 Dafferns BusinessLeader Group.Dafferns Business Leader Group (BLG) is a quarterly forum for business leaders to share ideas, develop new strategies, learn new leadership skills and solve challenges in a collaborative environment.Trends, Leadership and PerformanceBack in February, in the first BLG of 2025, we looked at Trends for 2025  from the Mindshop Business Leader survey. In May we focussed on Mastering the art of Influential Leadership and in this third session from September 2025 we looked at Boosting your performance and planning for growth in 2026.Find out more about Dafferns BLGOur free business diagnostic toolsBook your place at our November 2025 BLG - in person at Dafferns in Coventry or online from anywhereDafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

From Brexit to AI, Cowboy Boots and Sushi, we reflect on Dafferns’ first 10 years with AGN International and The end of an era for MartinMartin Gibbs and Brian Jukes reflect on 10 years of Dafferns Chartered Accountants' membership with AGN International, coinciding with Martin's retirement after 26 years as a partner. How joining an international association of 200 member firms across nearly 100 countries transformed Dafferns and broadened our perspectives.• From our first AGN conference in Copenhagen back in 2015, which while daunting quickly led to valuable connections• How Brian and Martin became Brexit thought leaders, presenting at conferences and publishing widely-read blog posts• How AGN provided critical support and knowledge-sharing during the COVID pandemic• How we gained early insights into AI adoption and ESG trends through international exposure through AGN• Travelling to over 35 international events, creating lasting professional relationships worldwide• Helping clients expand internationally through trusted AGN connections• Developing future firm leaders through AGN's partner development programs• and how AGN membership has reinforced Daffens' identity as "authentic, agile and connected" advisorsCheck out the Dafferns website at and visit our international page to see examples of our work with AGN over the last few years.Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

In this episode accountant, Martin Gibbs is again joined by Simon Cossey, a business development specialist - bringing two different perspectives on business strategic planning.Martin and Simon are the hosts of the Dafferns Business Leader Group (BLG), a quarterly forum for business leaders to share ideas, develop new strategies, learn new leadership skills and solve challenges in a collaborative environment.The May 2025 BLG centred on the the art of being an Influential Business Leader and in this episode we run through the key takeaway points from our BLG session with nine Coventry and Warwickshire business leaders.Simon Sinek's videos - What Makes a Leader Great? and My Top 3 Leadership TraitsFind out more about Dafferns BLGOur free business diagnostic toolsBook your place at our September 2025 BLG - in person in Coventry or online from anywhereDafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

In this episode, Dafferns partners Martin Gibbs and Brian Jukes are joined by a special guest, Dr Denise Taylor of Wylde Connections to discuss ESG (environmental, social and governance) and Sustainability for small and medium sized UK companies. ESG reporting is at the centre of the UK’s drive towards net zero, with the disclosure of environmental, social and corporate governance data, shedding light on a company’s activities.Why ESG matters to your business, your tea, suppliers and customersGetting ahead of the game for when mandatory reporting beginsThe Now, Where and How approach, with Wylde's Enveglass Diagnostic tool to unlock your business' potentialTo find our more about ESG check out Dafferns ESG signposting resourcesDafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

Martin Gibbs is joined by Brian Jukes and Karen Keeling to mull over the underwhelming event that the Spring Statement proved to be - 35 minutes of his life Brian is never getting back!Much more interesting however are our further reflections on the impact of the October 2024 Budget and big tax changes about to come into effect, along with some suggestions from us on what the government could do to fix the UK economy and we try to clarify some of the ongoing confusion between tax evasion and tax avoidance.Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

In this episode, Dafferns partner and accountant Martin Gibbs is joined by Simon Cossey, definitely not an accountant, but a business development specialist - bringing two different perspectives on business strategic planning.Martin and Simon are the new hosts of the Dafferns Business Leader Group (BLG), a quarterly forum for business leaders to share ideas, develop new strategies, learn new leadership skills and solve challenges in a collaborative environment.The February 2025 BLG centred on the latest Mindshop 2025 Business Leader Global Trends Report and in this episode we talk though where to start with strategic business planning in 2025 and the key trends from the report.Download a copy of the Mindshop 2025 Business Leader Global Trends ReportFind out more about Dafferns BLGOur free business diagnostic toolsBook your place at the May 2025 BLG - in person in Coventry or online from anywhereDafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

Martin Gibbs, Brian Jukes and Karen Keeling reflect on the state of the world in January 2025.Reflecting on the October 2024 Budget and how it was way worse than we first thought.... with big impacts on Agricultural Property Relief, Pensions and Inheritance Tax, a huge increase in employer's national insurance and the impact on confidence and the UK economyFollowing up on our hugely successful episode 3 last year on ESG, we take a look the current state of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) in light of Germany's push back to the EU and a slow down in demand for electric vehiclesAnd of course, the inauguration of Donald Trump and the roll on impact of this on everything..Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

The long awaited and much speculated on first Budget of the new Labour government has finally been brought into the light.  Relief is our overriding emotion – on two levels – firstly to get it out of the way and secondly the sense that it wasn’t as bad as we were all fearing. No "rabbits produced from hats" unfortunately, but quite a few "toads from holes".In episode 4 of The Daffernomics Podcast, recorded on the afternoon of the Budget on 30 October 2024, Martin Gibbs, Brian Jukes, and Scott Whitmore review a Budget that will set the tone for the next five years.For more on The October 2024 Budget  https://dafferns.com/the-budget/Thank you to The Fold in Leamington Spa https://thefoldleamington.co.uk/ for the use of their fantastic podcast studio, Lauren Campbell who hosted us and to Ali Rollason, our sound engineer.Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

In episode 3 of The Daffernomics Podcast, Martin Gibbs and Brian Jukes give their take on the world of ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance,  the future heart of UK corporate reporting in the UK's drive to net zero. What is ESG?How will this impact your #SME business and when?What can and should you be doing now to prepare?What resources and diagnostics are available to help you now?https://dafferns.com/diagnostic/esg-diagnostic/  The free Dafferns ESG diagnostichttps://dafferns.com/esg  Dafferns ESG resourceshttps://carbonhappy.world/  Carbon Happy World - A UK based advisory firmhttps://movetoimpact.com/  Our contacts in The Netherlands through AGN InternationalDafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

No rabbits, no hats and few jokes from the Chuckle Brother of decline.  Brian Jukes was not impressed, in fact he was irritated.....In episode 2 of The Daffernomics Podcast, Martin Gibbs, Brian Jukes, Emily Ball-Goldfinch and Scott Whitmore pick over the bones of what might prove to be the last Budget before the General Election.Once again the headline from this Budget was leaked in advance as Jeremy Hunt cut Employees' National Insurance by a further 2% from April 2024, matching a previous 2% cut in January 2024.For more on The March 2024 Budget  https://dafferns.com/the-budget/Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/

Ahead of the March 2024 Budget, in episode 1 of the Daffernomics Podcast, we go back to this time last year with our review of the March 2023 UK Budget.Martin Gibbs, Brian Jukes and Keely Hughes of Dafferns Chartered Accountants give their take on the March 2023 Budget, as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt attempted to bring the UK out of recession, rebuild the economy and reduce the national debt.This was a Budget that clearly attempted to tackle the most significant issues affecting the UK economy, even briefly mentioning the need to settle industrial disputes and get people back to work, although obviously with no measures announced as to how that will be achieved other than focusing on cutting inflation.Highlights include a continuing help with home energy bills, the lifting of the lifetime pension allowance, fully expensed capital allowances - all fully costed by the OBR.Dafferns Chartered Accountants, based in Coventry, UKTrusted advisers since 1896https://dafferns.com/the-budget/Dafferns is a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connectionshttps://dafferns.com/