Accountants launch specialist sports finance division
A Midlands accountancy firm has launched a new company to provide specialist tax and financial support to professional sportspeople.
HB&O Sports Management is dedicated to helping athletes, agents and clubs to manage their finances with confidence.
The company said the service is intended to help clients manage increasingly complex financial obligations during and after their sporting careers.
HB&O Sports Management will also provide support around tax returns, HMRC correspondence and financial planning, alongside educational sessions intended to improve financial awareness among younger athletes.
The division has already hosted information sessions at sports clubs in the Midlands, including Aston Villa.
Former England and Aston Villa footballer Tony Daley and ex-Birmingham City player Beryly Lubala are among the early clients to sign up to the service.
Tony, who now runs 7Daley Ltd, a health and fitness business, said: "I have received fantastic support from HB&O with regards to my personal taxation and limited company financial and compliance matters.
“Their professionalism, attention to detail and proactive approach gives me complete confidence that everything is being managed correctly and on time."
The company is a specialist division of HB&O Accountants which has offices in Birmingham, Coventry and Leamington.
Stuart Grosvenor, director of HB&O Sports Management, said: “Professional athletes have commitments that extend far beyond their arena of competition and simply don’t have the time to invest in financial matters and to make informed decisions that could have a huge impact on them in later life.
“That’s why we think our new sports management service could be hugely beneficial to sportspeople, their agents, clubs and partner associations.
“Our company boasts 20-plus years of accountancy expertise. With this new service we’re simply tailoring our specialist support to the world of sport.
“Having launched an office in Birmingham last year it’s great to have Tony Daley, an Aston Villa icon, and Birmingham City academy graduate Beryly Lubala already on board. We hope many more sportsmen and women will make this same transfer to simplified finances.”
Alex Thorne, tax associate at HB&O Sports Management, said: “After spending seven years competing professionally, I was delighted to join HB&O Sport Management within a Tax Advisory role.
“Understanding the implications that poor financial knowledge and advice can have on your life and subsequently performance, I felt drawn to be part of an aspiring team of ex-sports people looking to bring that knowledge back into the locker room and allow sports people to grow with the confidence that their finances are being looked after to the highest level.”
Pictured: From left - Ex-Birmingham City player Beryly Lubala with Stuart Grosvenor, Helen Coombes and Ben Usher-Shipway, from HB&O
