South West business owners under pressure
Plymouth, July 2025 – Company owners in the South West are grappling with the toughest conditions in over five years, warns business expert Peter Hill of Wilson Partners, following the firm’s completed merger with long-established Plymouth accountants Mark Holt & Co.
Hill points to a “volatile cocktail” of challenges hitting local business owners, including rising tax burdens, Trump’s unpredictable tariffs, soaring energy and materials costs due to wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and general political instability at home.
“Many business owners feel under siege,” Hill said. “They’ve put decades of work into their companies, but global events and Government decisions are undermining their progress. Inheritance tax changes have been the final straw for many.”
Hill notes a critical shortage of proactive advisers in the region: “Clients regularly tell us their previous advisers were passive—just ticking boxes without offering guidance. We’re here to change that.”
With the merger complete, Wilson Partners now employs over 235 staff, offering expanded services in audit, tax, corporate finance and strategic business advice. Despite this growth, Hill assures clients will continue receiving the same personalised service from their existing team—now with enhanced resources.
The firm is now offering a free initial consultation for business owners, using its bespoke profit growth tool to identify hidden risks, untapped opportunities, and strategies for increasing profitability.
Fellow director Neil Huntley added, “In this climate, it’s not enough to have good financial records. You need advice on reducing tax, improving cash flow, and protecting your wealth. That’s where we step in.”
Long-term client Stuart Walsh of Sunnybanks Homes said, “The transition to Wilson Partners has only strengthened the service we already trusted. If you’re a business owner, now’s the time to get expert advice you can count on.”
