Determined not to be fazed by the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, multi-faceted accountancy firm RfM Group has pressed ahead with plans to open a new Manchester office.
The new Manchester premises officially opened in the spring of this year, and will be led by Kevin Cuddy, a certified accountant and auditor with over 20 years of experience in the industry working for large independent companies, as well as in finance director roles.
For Cuddy, the challenge of joining RfM and heading up RfM Manchester was an enticing one, owed mainly to his desire to pursue a new career direction of building something which he could take personal pride in.
Cuddy said: “For the last 20 years, I have worked at partner and director level within professional practice and industry. I had reached a point in my career where I wanted to build something that I could personally be proud of, so started to consider my options.”
Cuddy already shared a history with RfM’s managing director Paul Newsham, with the pair having worked together as directors for accountancy firm Haines Watts, so when Newsham approached him with the offer of setting up RfM Manchester, the opportunity was too good to turn down.
Cuddy explained: “I have known Paul for many years since we were both directors at Haines Watts. During this time, we worked closely together and we kept in touch over the years after I left to go into industry. When we did catch up, Paul would update me on how RfM was continuing to grow and develop.
“It has long been an ambition of mine to run my own firm and when Paul suggested setting up RfM Manchester, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to do just that.”
Elaborating on why the RfM opportunity was a natural magnet, Cuddy said: “There were lots of aspects of RfM that really appealed to me. I like the idea that each office is independent whilst having the benefits that come from being a part of a wider group. It means that RfM Manchester can offer a more personal level of service that you would normally find in smaller, local practices. Yet at the same time, I’ll be able to draw upon expertise from other offices and provide the breadth of services that you’d normally only get from a larger firm.
“The aspect of my job I have always enjoyed the most is working with business owners, the individuals running their businesses day in and day out, the decision-makers. Getting to know what’s important to someone and what makes them tick, helps to build a constructive and supportive working relationship. I take great pride in building relationships with clients and earning that ‘trusted advisor’ position.”
The challenge of building up RfM Manchester is one that Cuddy is certainly relishing going forward.
“I’m very excited by the challenge ahead and the prospect of meeting new clients who are looking for a hands-on accountant who is committed and supportive in helping them achieve their goals. Setting up RfM Manchester is the start of me working towards achieving my goal.”
