Supporting business and the wider community in uncertain times

Before I start my new Private Business role in October 2020, I wanted to use my time, experience, expertise and network to support businesses whilst also benefiting the wider community. Accordingly, Friends, Romans, Countrymen was formed as a temporary "social enterprise" - there is no charge for support, but simply ask that businesses helped make a donation to NHS or local community charities based on their view of any value they receive.

With nearly 30 years in various roles at Arthur Andersen/Deloitte and PwC I bring a wealth of experience. I am known for bringing ideas, creativeness, challenge and commercially driven advice that seek to solve complex issues and manage future changes.

During my 12 years as a partner at PwC , I led the highly successful Midlands private business practice and assisted private and family businesses and their owners on a wide range of issues, including family and business strategy, wealth protection, M&A, estate planning, management incentives, real estate, succession, trusts and family constitutions. My technical expertise focuses around tax, business and wealth structuring, helping business owners and families manage and mitigate business, tax and legal issues.

I have also built up an extensive network of trusted "friends" and contacts in the business and advisory community, so if I cannot help on a specific area or matter, I can hopefully help you find someone who can. Following discussions with a number of such contacts, we have formed a small network of like minded advisers who all want to do our bit for businesses and the wider community in the current crisis. For more details see our network page.

So if you think we can help you with any matters, from input and advice on strategy, structure or tax or any of the areas set out on our network page, as a critical friend to bounce concerns, ideas or thoughts off or to work alongside your current advisers as a sounding board or second opinion, please do not hesitate to contact me at chris@friendsromanscountrymen.co.uk or via LinkedIn : chrisdromans or any of our network. We can then discuss via email, phone or secure video link.

In the meantime, I have included some of my thoughts on questions prompted by recent discussions with private business owners (links to pages below) which I hope are useful.

Thank you for lending me your ears !

Chris Romans.