“GSM has been accountants to our company and family members for more years than we can remember. This is testimony to the truly excellent working relationships we have enjoyed with them over those years and the personal, friendly service they have always been able to provide. They always seem available at the end of the telephone and have the resources and experience within their company to provide advice and guidance on every issue that has been raised. In this age of large accounting conglomerates we feel we have been very lucky to be able to continue dealing with a highly professional and ethical medium sized firm based in London.”
Brian Lavender
Managing Director - Lavender & Farrell Limited
Hockley and Parker Companies
These companies had their roots in a small rural butcher’s shop started by Mr. A. Playle in the early 20th century, which developed into a large wholesale butcher’s business and extensive farming interests. Today, the companies comprise two separate groups, each headed by one of the granddaughters of Mr. Playle and their respective families.
Farming and estate management still form a large part of the groups’ activities, along with diversification into other operations such as the ownership and management of care homes for the elderly.
The various changes over the years have involved more than one demerger as well as other corporate reconstructions, and GSM, who have been the auditors and advisors since the 1950s, have assisted in helping the families through the related complex legislative and tax issues.