Brian Laing

Glossop Caravans began their relationship with FFT in 1976 when Brian Laing, Managing Director, and his brother, Stan, were at the helm.

Brian recalls: “Stan discovered FFT through a business associate at another company that we were working with at the time. They spoke very highly of FFT as a reliable and considerate family business.”

As a company just starting out, Glossop Caravans needed a dependable and efficient accountancy firm to help them establish a solid foundation for growth.

FFT fitted the bill perfectly, providing the necessary expertise and support, offering sound advice and accountancy services, as well as acting as a vital friend to both Brian and Stan.

Today, with over 170 employees, the advice, guidance, and assistance FFT offers to Glossop Caravans remains just as relevant and important.

FFT provides numerous services to Brian and his team, including audits, which Brian finds particularly beneficial.

Brian explains: “Since we became a limited company, the audits that FFT have provided have been reassuring and essential to our continued development.

“The team are always very thorough, and we are always happy with the quality and detail of the audits performed.

“At the end of each month we receive a 15-page management report that the team and I study carefully and discuss at great length.

“This has influenced some of our key business decisions and if we ever have questions, we’re able to go to FFT for further clarification.”

In addition to audits, FFT provides accounting, bookkeeping, and business advisory services to Glossop Caravans.

Over the nearly 50 years of collaboration, Brian emphasises the unwavering strength of their relationship.

“Stan and I never felt the need to look elsewhere for help with our accounting or audits, and the great thing about FFT is that we really feel that we have a partner in business.

“Our relationship with Ian, who now handles our accounts, is just fantastic and the rest of the team is friendly and great at what they do.”

Throughout their time in business, Brian and Stan faced various challenges, a natural part of running a company.

However, FFT has consistently provided the right solutions.

“FFT have developed plenty of parameters for us to work from, helped us deal with complex tax regimes, and have always been correct with their advice.

“They have the necessary history with our business to be able to go way back in the records and provide any information we need.

“I also think that the low staff turnover at FFT positively supports their advisory services and client interactions.

“When I pick up the phone, I know I’m getting through to Ian, who I’ve got a long-standing relationship with. I’ve never worried about having to introduce myself to a new accountant who doesn’t know our business, who we are and what we do.

“It’s reassuring to go into the same comfortable offices, to be greeted by the same welcoming receptionist, and to speak to someone you know is experienced and always cheerful.”

Due to the positive relationship between the two businesses, Glossop Caravans intends to continue using FFT’s services long into the future.

Brian says: “I’d highly recommend them to other businesses and, after nearly 50 years of working with FFT, I can easily describe the firm in three words: friendly, efficient, and respected.”