Stewart’s family’s auctioneering, valuation and debt recovery business was based in Salford and Manchester where they saw all sides of life. Stewart maintains that his attitude of “not suffering fools gladly” is a trait firmly established by his father and business partner Eddie Vann. Once his father retired Stewart expanded the business from 9 staff and a £3m turnover to a much bigger concern with 70 staff achieving a £25m turnover. Within 5 years of having full control Stewart sold out to a management team, with Cassons supporting him on all aspects of the transition and ultimate sale.

Together with his current business partner he bought Chadkirk, the site of a former dye works, in 2002. Today, as Chadkirk Mill Business Park, it is home to over 70 business units. But when Stewart took over Chadkirk it was in a sorry state. He explains: “Today the site is immaculate with hanging baskets instead of discarded fridges and everyone is respectful of our environment.” Stewart continues: “It is in an excellent location with an excellent site manager. In fact Chadkirk is more like a gated community where all of the tenants look to help each other.” Indeed Chadkirk Mill Business Park is not your typical business park. It has the combined advantages of being located on a 15 acre site in leafy Cheshire, within one mile of the motorway network and just two miles from Stockport. This is a dramatic change for Stewart from the many years of business based in the city.

Stewart has diversified his business interests significantly over the last ten years. Much of his time is now taken up with his commercial property rentals business which operates from three sites, with Chadkirk being the main one. The total property portfolio covers over 350,000 sq ft of property with over 120 tenants and a value of about £15-20m.                                                              

But Stewart has not relaxed even with the success of his property businesses. He has also developed farming and equestrian businesses, a consultancy with several debt recovery businesses and in addition he has interests in a sports centre and football club “I had the very clear objective of wanting to move from a time intensive role with large turnover businesses, to higher margin businesses where I could regain control of my time. The relationship with Cassons has provided me with the ongoing strategic support to help me achieve it.”

A businessman who is as on the ball as Stewart needs an accountant to match. He is happy that Cassons are able to advise on everything from commercial property rental, farming and debt recovery to the sports centre and the football club. For as long as Stewart can remember, Les Nutter has been his accountant and business adviser, while Colin Tice has worked with him on strategic tax planning. Stewart says: “Colin has been excellent at giving me an on the spot opinion after being briefed. It doesn’t take him six weeks. He is fully capable of analysing and giving me his best opinion.” Stewart also values Colin as a ‘good sounding board’. He explains: “Colin will tell me what is lawful and what works. He also ensures decisions are made on a tax-efficient basis that fits into a commercial model.”

Cassons successfully advise Stewart on the implications of carrying on various different trades and activities and how they interact from both business and tax perspectives. Colin steers Stewart clear of mistakes, advising him on the most appropriate business structures and tax efficient strategies.

Les Nutter has given Stewart both accounting and strategic support throughout his business career. Les explains: “I just sort of knew when Stewart, who was then in his early 20s came into partnership with dad, Eddie, that he would provide the security and continuity to take the auctioneer and valuing business up to and beyond Eddie’s retirement. So too of course did Eddie. But even he could not have anticipated how much of a success he would make of it and how it would be the springboard to Stewart’s own future varied business activities and family security. I know Eddie is immensely proud of his son’s achievements and for me it has been a pleasure supporting him along the way. There are no half measures with Stewart. With him if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right!Despite his dizzying range of business activity Stewart still has time to spend with his family and his hobby of flying. He says: “The commercial property trade is less demanding than auctioneering and debt collecting where I worked between 80 and 100 hours a week.”

Stewart is able to look to the future with a degree of optimism. Having a good cross section of tenants and operating in the low to medium end of the commercial property trade is a plus. He argues: “If you are pitching a business space at sensible levels there will always be a customer. In an economic downturn there are always people downsizing who are looking for less expensive business space.” One of the qualities of being a successful entrepreneur in difficult times is, like Stewart Vann, to be prepared to change direction; have a diverse range of activities; and if possible, turn the situation to your advantage!

Being prepared to change direction in difficult times is one of the qualities of being a successful entrepreneur. Stewart has spread his business risk by investing into a diverse range of activities and certainly turned the situation to his advantage!