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 LLP

The 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 connections
https://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.com

This episode is also available as a Youtube video

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