What our clients say about us

“...with us every step of the way”:

That’s how Leslie and Jackie Ironman of Southbank Fresh Fish Limited sum up the support and service they receive from Harris Lipman, including the seven-figure sale of the company early in 2008.

The couple founded Southbank in 1984, after Leslie had worked as a salesman in the fish trade. Since then, the company has grown to a workforce of around 30 and earned itself an enviable reputation for providing the highest quality seafood, securing clients including top London restaurants Le Caprice, the Ivy, Scott’s and J Sheekey in the process.

The relationship with Harris Lipman began at a time when the Ironmans’ existing accountant was heading for retirement. After an advertisement for Harris Lipman on a London radio station attracted their interest, senior partner Barry Lewis came to visit them at their premises at Tower Bridge – they are now based on the Kent Park Industrial Estate in Southwark – and there was an immediate rapport. Leslie says: “We got on very well with Barry. He was there if we needed him and he gave us what we think was good advice.”

Barry’s habit of regularly being at his desk by 4am was an added bonus for the Ironmans, for whom the phrase “early to bed, early to rise” could have been invented. To ensure they secure the finest fish, they are doing business in what is the middle of the night for most of us, so they valued being able to contact Barry very early in the morning.

After working initially with Barry as their main contact, the Ironmans were subsequently introduced to partner Martin Atkins and have developed the same comfortable working relationship with him. Over the years, both Barry and Martin have provided expert advice, on issues including conversion from a sole trader structure to limited company in 2002, to complement what Leslie describes as Harris Lipman’s “very professional” accountancy services,

That advice really came into its own when the business hit what Leslie describes as “a bad patch” seven or eight years ago, due to a combination of factors. Leslie says: “Barry and Martin held our hands to get us through it and were very, very helpful at a time when we needed them. When the chips were down, they came good.”

Harris Lipman’s support also played an important role in the sale of Southbank, which was completed on 1 February 2008. After the Ironmans were approached by purchasers Seafood Holdings Limited, Harris Lipman were again beside them throughout in finalising the details of the sale, including advising Leslie and Jackie on achieving a price that nearly doubled Seafood Holdings’ original offer and introducing them to a solicitor, with whom they were very satisfied.

Now the Ironmans are part-way through a two-year earn-out, during which Harris Lipman will continue to be by their side – “every step of the way” – to advise them on new challenges, including achieving some tough targets for the company’s new owners.

 

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