Trio of new starters join the team at Inspire

Business and tax advisory firm, Inspire, has welcomed three new members of the team, strengthening its client services and tax advisory teams.

Tom Coombs, Dan Keets and Jack Swinnerton join as Client Services Advisers.

They’ll be part of the 30-strong team based at Inspire’s offices in Commercial Road, Poole.

After studying Mechanical Engineering at Southampton University, Tom – who lives in Poole – began his accountancy career almost five years ago working at a local firm and passed his final ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) qualifications earlier this year.

During this time he gained valuable experience working across a range of accounts, tax and advisory projects for clients.

Dan started working in accounts in 2010 with a national firm, before spending time working in industry.

For the last six years, Dan – who grew up in Ferndown and now lives in Wimborne – has been working at a local practice, supporting local businesses and individuals.

He holds AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) and ATT (Association of Tax Technicians) qualifications and is studying to become a Chartered Tax Adviser.

Jack – who is originally from Christchurch and now lives in Westbourne – graduated from the University of Exeter with a degree in Business and Management before working in accountancy practices in Dorset and London.

He began his ACA studies at a previous firm and is now looking to complete his Chartered Accountant qualifications at Inspire.

Andrew Singleton, Director at Inspire, pictured right, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tom, Dan and Jack to the Inspire team.

“We’ve had an incredibly busy year supporting our clients, as business owners recover from the impact of the pandemic.

“Many have been able to take advantage of opportunities to grow or develop their business as a result.

“By bringing new and talented individuals into the team, we’re able to offer an even greater level of service and client delight across the business.

“Tom, Dan and Jack each bring a real passion and enthusiasm for their work and have settled in very quickly into the team.

“It’s great to have them on board.”

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Doggy Doggy Yum Yum makes finals of national awards

A frozen treat for dogs – launched by Dorset-based artisan ice cream maker Baboo Gelato – made it through to the finals of this year’s PetQuip and Pet Industry Federation (PIF) Awards.

It was shortlisted for the Product Innovation (Dog Treats) and Business Start-up categories at PetQuip and the New Business Award at the PIF Awards.

Sam and Annie Hanbury, pictured left, the husband and wife team behind the multi-award winning Baboo Gelato ice cream, found that lots of their customers were buying ice cream for their dogs.

Realising that lactose is bad for dogs’ tummies, they saw a gap in the market for the first fully vegan, fully organic, dairy free premium frozen treat for dogs and Doggy Doggy Yum Yum was born.

Even though Doggy Doggy Yum Yum didn’t win an award, Annie said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised in our first year by both PetQuip and the PFI.  It is a real honour.’

“We’ve been astonished how quickly Doggy Doggy has spread nationally.

“We always knew that pet owners wanted to give their dogs the best but it’s nice to see it in action.”

Although the name Doggy Doggy Yum Yum makes it clear who the product is aimed at, it is completely human friendly and very popular with human customers as well.

The product is now in 120 stockists nationwide with national distribution through Pedigree Wholesale Ltd.

Doggy Doggy Yum Yum will be exhibiting at Discover Dogs on November 20 and 21 at ExCel London.

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Winners of South West Tourism Awards celebrate in style

More than 100 tourism businesses, sponsors and supporters of the South West Tourism Awards – including a number from Dorset – celebrated an all-too-rare outing at the Deer Park Country House in Devon.

The South West was one of the few English regions to continue with its tourism awards programme for 2020/21, when awards ceremonies were held online in place of their usual dinners.

Awards organiser Robin Barker, pictured right, said “Although the online events gave us the chance to announce the winners and introduce everyone to each other, everyone was still keen to meet away from the constraints of Zoom.

“Hence this event – a belated chance for top tourism businesses to meet for real, to share anecdotes and smiles.”

Co-organiser Nell Barrington said: “It was a fantastic occasion and great to be able to meet the winners face to face to talk about their challenges and triumphs over the past year.

“I really can’t wait to get out and visit all these award-winning businesses in South West England, congratulations to them all.”

The 2021/22 Tourism Awards are currently in the judging phase, with awards events planned from February to April 2022.

More details on the Dorset Tourism Awards can be found here.