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 Performance

Back 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 BLG

Our free business diagnostic tools

Book your place at our November 2025 BLG - in person at Dafferns in Coventry or online from anywhere

Dafferns Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 Martin

Martin 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" advisors

Check out the Dafferns website at and visit our international page to see examples of our work with AGN over the last few years.

Dafferns Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 Traits

Find out more about Dafferns BLG

Our free business diagnostic tools

Book your place at our September 2025 BLG - in person in Coventry or online from anywhere

Dafferns Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 customers
• Getting ahead of the game for when mandatory reporting begins
• The Now, Where and How approach, with Wylde's Enveglass Diagnostic tool to unlock your business' potential

To find our more about ESG check out Dafferns ESG signposting resources

Dafferns Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 Report

Find out more about Dafferns BLG

Our free business diagnostic tools

Book your place at the May 2025 BLG - in person in Coventry or online from anywhere

Dafferns Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 economy
• Following 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 vehicles
• And of course, the inauguration of Donald Trump and the roll on impact of this on everything..

Dafferns Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 diagnostic
https://dafferns.com/esg  Dafferns ESG resources
https://carbonhappy.world/  Carbon Happy World - A UK based advisory firm
https://movetoimpact.com/  Our contacts in The Netherlands through AGN International

Dafferns Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://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 Chartered Accountants, a full service, independent UK accounting firm, based in Coventry, with national and international connections
https://dafferns.com/