An architect with a passion for rowing has stepped in to sponsor a Henley Rowing Club crew.

James Padmore, Ross Barnes, Avery Richardson, Robert Kennedy
and Nigel Maynard

Jeremy Spratley, founder of Spratley Architects in Station Road, will support the men’s four which includes Rob Kennedy, a young architect who has recently joined the company.

The crew is coached by Ian Desmond and is taking part in this week’s Royal Regatta.

Mr. Spratley enjoyed a long career in rowing. He was 16 when he raced at the Regatta for King James’ College in the Princess Elizabeth Cup, and took part in the Thames Cup for Upper Thames Rowing Club, alongside his two brothers. He went on to represent Wales, competing in the men’s eight at the 1987 Home Countries competition, before finishing his rowing career at London Rowing Club.

Mr. Spratley set up his company in 2003, choosing Henley because of his affection for the town. He said: “I have genuine love for the surroundings, in particular the river bank, where I regularly run, looking in envy at the crews paddling up the course.

“ Last year I decided I should put something back into rowing and, with a 12-year-old son showing some interest, I am now sneaking off three times a week to coach at Sir William Borlaise school.”

Spratley Architects in Station Road, Henley has increased its work force once again. In the last year it has seen the number of staff grow from seven to 19 and now it has recruited Mark Bell as its most senior architect with responsibility for developing the company’s residential projects.

Mr. Bell joins from the Amos Partnership where, as associate director, he worked extensively with Berkeley Homes on a range of mixed-use and luxury residential schemes around central London, including the £18 million St. James, Grosvenor Waterside, which consists of 150 luxury apartments.

Mr. Bell said: “I am very happy to move to Henley. It has a very different pace of life to London, and it’s a beautiful and picturesque town.

“ We have some very high profile clients here and I am looking forward to getting started.”

The founder of the practice, Jeremy Spratley, added: “I am delighted that Mark is bringing his expertise to our progressive and successful team. We have projects with various major developers and I see this as a new chapter in the development of our work and delivery of our projects.”

HENLEY accountants E A Kench has warned that colleagues who take a cut of commission from adviser referrals, face a crackdown by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

The ICAEW changed its rules to outlaw undeclared commission at the end of 2006, but many firms have failed to comply, said adviser Terry Bignall of Henley-based accountancy firm E A Kench.

While the ICAEW does not have statutory enforcement powers, it can remove accreditation from accountants who do not comply.

Institute inspectors have now begun to carry out spot checks on firms, and in some cases have forced accountants to contact previous clients and return commission.

“ The institute now has strict guidelines about accepting and disclosing commission,” said Mr. Bignall. “Many accountants are not doing this.”

E A Kench now tells all clients it will receive commission for referrals and that clients could instead choose to pay a premium in fees.

“ Clients have actually been fine with this — so far only one has objected,” added Mr. Bignall.

Other advisers said many accountants still saw adviser referrals as an easy revenue stream and would refuse business if they did not receive a 30 per cent cut of commission.

“ The ideal would be the client paying for different services and each individual being paid on the basis of the service they provide,” said Mike Henshaw of Hedley Asset Management in Cardiff.

Jacobs of Reading is delighted to announce major new developments within its Reading town centre business. The new initiatives, which include the introduction of the major jewellery brand Bulgari, the introduction of an on-site goldsmith, the creation of a dedicated Links shop-in-shop and an updated website launch this month.

Owners Adrienne and Ian Jacobs said: “Together with our current brands, Cartier, Longines, Georg Jensen & Links of London, Jacobs has an enviable hand-picked selection of jewellery and watches. I’m delighted to welcome Bulgari and look forward to introducing this exciting, elegant and innovative global brand to our clientele. Bulgari is world renowned for its exquisite luxury items, from watches to jewellery. Being awarded the sole agency for Berkshire is a reflection of our long-standing position and reputation in Berkshire. Our commitment and success with Links of London has also been reinforced with our new shop-in-shop area. With the added service of an in-house goldsmith, we’re truly setting the gold standard for jewellers in Berkshire.”

Bulgari, the Italian high jeweller, famed for its jewellery and watches, has rigorous criteria for awarding its prestigious agencies. Housed in a specially-designed Bulgari Salon, customers will be served in the most luxurious of environments and will see exquisite gold jewellery and tasteful timepieces.

Jacobs’ new on-site goldsmith brings extensive experience in jewellery repair, design and manufacture to the business. From bespoke design using specially sourced loose stones to re-modelling existing pieces, Jacobs can now offer unrivalled service in Berkshire.

Jacobs’ updated website features more products and more targeted information for its customers and services from wherever they are.

Simon Churchill-Coleman passed a very special milestone at work recently. He notched up 25 years’ service at a builders’ merchant in Reading Road.

Simon Church-Coleman, right, receives his gold watch from Willaim Naylor, Gibbs and Dandy's sales and marketing director

Simon, 40, of Park Road, Henley, joined Elliott & Co in June 1982, a few months before his 16th birthday.

“ I had worked part-time for Elliot’s on Saturday mornings, while at Gillotts School,” he said. “When I joined them full-time, I worked for a while in the yard before training in sales.”

Simon was born and bred in Henley. He is the second eldest of 11 children ? four boys and seven girls ? and before Gillotts went to Henley Infants School and Trinity Primary.

At Elliott & Co, he became a senior sales assistant, then buyer and in 1998 was made a director. The firm was acquired by Gibbs and Dandy plc in 2002 when Simon continued to work as branch manager for the new company.

Next came ‘a great experience’. Simon took a six month sabbatical when, along with his brother James, who works for Henley Town Council, they travelled in Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia. “We were away travelling for four months,” he said. “It was a great experience.” He then returned to work in sales for Gibbs and Dandy. Simon was presented with a gold watch by William Naylor, the firm’s sales and marketing director.

A Henley estate agent has raised £3,200 for charity by making a donation from every house sale they made.

The Chancellors Group of Estate Agents, in Hart Street, raised the money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, which grants wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

The company raised a further £2,600 for the charity after auctioning a champagne cruise for the Regatta.

Chancellors associate director, John Porter, said: “We are very happy with the amount raised. We are proud to be able to share our success by giving something back to the community.

“ We chose Make-A-Wish because we were struck by the simplicity of their work. In making a child’s dream come true, you do not necessarily require a lot of money, just good organisation and access to the right resources.”

Make-A-Wish regional manager for the South East, Frances Heath, said: “We are in the process of granting 46 local wishes at present, ranging from shopping for an Xbox 360 to meeting Mr. Bean and his teddy.

“ It is only with assistance from people, such as that from Chancellors, that we can continue to bring a little joy and magic into these very special children’s lives.”

To support Make-A-Wish, visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk

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