IT IS entirely appropriate that one of Huntingdonshire s newest business should have chosen to sponsor The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire New Business of the Year Award 2009. The local office of Haines Watts Chartered Accountants is based in St Clement s Pass

IT IS entirely appropriate that one of Huntingdonshire's newest business should have chosen to sponsor The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire New Business of the Year Award 2009.

The local office of Haines Watts Chartered Accountants is based in St Clement's Passage, in the heart of Huntingdon, just off the High Street.

"As a relatively new business in the area ourselves, it is the logical award to be involved with," said Simon Laskey, who heads up the Huntingdon firm. "We opened our Huntingdon based branch back in February of this year, and so the excitement and challenges of a new venture are still very fresh in our minds, giving us some real empathy with other new businesses in the area."

The national firm of Haines Watts has now been in business for over 80 years, and it continues to expand by opening local offices in towns throughout the country, now represented by around 55 offices. However, the approach is unique as, rather than becoming a large corporate monster, the firm is very keen to remain a local business with a local presence, albeit with a national team of experts when they are needed, Mr Laskey explained.

"The sponsorship of business awards that are specific to Huntingdonshire itself is something that we are very proud to be associated with," he added. "We are keen to see local businesses thrive, particularly as they seem to be doing so well against the national trend."

The firm acts for individuals and businesses at all stages of growth and size, from sole traders and home-based businesses to partnerships and limited companies with a range of business and advisory needs.

This may mean the preparation of annual accounts, the submission of personal and business tax returns, completion of an on-site audit for larger companies or complex tax planning and wealth-preservation strategies.

The unique structure of Haines Watts means that it can offer a local partner-led service and also have national specialists who are available to be called upon as required, Mr Laskey said.

"The first six months of trading have been exciting times for Haines Watts Huntingdon. The business started with a high-profile marketing campaign, ranging from leaflet delivery and newspaper profiling to using a billboard for the first time in the firm's history to announce the arrival in the town.

"There has been a period of intense networking all across Cambridgeshire, which has been supported on-line by the use of new media technologies such as Linked In and Twitter to reinforce the brand and awareness," he added.

"These are all tools used by any new business to spread the message that it is keen and ready to take on work. We are no different in our approach to raising our profile, and we are just as keen to succeed as a new business as any entrant might be in the New Business Award that we will be sponsoring.