Soccer boss kicks off Telford firm launch
Football manager Howard Wilkinson has cut the ribbon on an accountancy firm's latest expansion.
Dyke Yaxley has now opened its new offices on Telford's Stafford Park Industrial Estate, and invited the former English league-winning manager to launch the new offices.
The event, held on a hot night at the offices in Hollinswood Court, also saw Shrewsbury Town manager Graham Turner talk about his own team's standing in the local community, and John Duncan, technical manager of the League Managers' Association, bring a football theme along.
The trio's presence reflects Dyke Yaxley's ongoing work with the League Managers' Association, which represents football managers across England.
Dyke Yaxley marketing consultant Keith Winter said: "Howard Wilkinson came in and agreed to open our new Telford offices, and talked and answered questions about motivation, and how sport can run into business and how the problems faced are very similar.
"The problems faced by a football manager are the same as those of a managing director of a business, although they are naturally in the headlights more than business owners are."
Dyke Yaxley decided to open its Telford offices in October after taking on a large part of RSM Tenon's Shropshire client portfolio.
Ian Walsh became managing director, moving from the major national accountancy firm. His career has also included directorships with Bentley Jennison and Rhodes Walsh & Co.
Mr Winter added: "RSM Tenon was already based in Telford, and we needed a presence. From then on it was a matter of finding an office.
"We are hoping to offer more services in Telford, which might not be available there at present.
"We feel there's a good chance to grow in Telford, as there's a lot of businesses and we feel there is plenty of potential in the market.
"With the existing contacts we have got with solicitors and banks, we feel the Telford office can only grow."
It marks a departure for Dyke Yaxley, as it is the firsm time the accountants has had dedicated premises in Telford, having traditionally called Shrewsbury home.
The move will see the company retain its main base in Old Potts Way in the county town, as well as focusing on the new business development at the freshly-acquired Stafford Park facility.