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“When it comes to Rickard Keen, and especially Bill Gould, I have total faith in recommending them to anyone at all, and I know there will never be a negative consequence.”
Phillip Miller Owner, Stockvale Limited
The image conjured up by fun parks and roller coasters is not at all concordant with the concept of a traditional accountant. That’s why Phillip Miller, owner of the UK’s number one free-entry fun park, Adventure Island, is delighted that his accountants are Rickard Keen.
“They aren’t stuffy like other accountants,” he says. “They don’t put on airs and graces. That wouldn’t suit my personality at all.”
Adventure Island is part of the Stockvale Group, which is comprised of - as well as the fun park which attracts over two million visitors each year - an aquarium, five radio stations and two restaurants. One of these restaurants is a five-star restaurant in an iconic building on Southend sea front. The other is the Three Shells Beach restaurant, which has been established for over 25 years.
Acquiring the Three Shells was one of the easiest processes Phillip ever went through. His best friend, John Barber, was the owner and sold the business to Phillip upon his retirement. The two men are both Rickard Keen clients, which facilitated the sale even further.
Phillip has been a Rickard Keen client for almost 12 years. They take care of everything for the Stockvale Group, including the accounts, audits and tax computations. “They are unique,” he says. “I’ve never found another firm where they don’t ask who you are when you call and just transfer you straight through to whoever it is you need. I think it’s quite a brave thing to do. It shows that they are ready and willing to talk to you anytime.”
Bill Gould is Phillip’s primary contact at Rickard Keen, and according to Phillip, goes the extra mile for the business. “He sits on our radio group board and advises with acquisitions, helping with negotiating as well. He gets stuck into any deal he’s involved with. That’s why I like him.”
Bill also helped Phillip with recruitment, when he decided the time had come to replace the financial director. Bill interviewed a number of candidates and compiled a shortlist of three. Bill, Phillip and the other members of the selection panel all unanimously decided on the same woman to fill the role.
“It worked out very well for me,” said Phillip. “She is on the ball and has helped to grow the business.”
This may have something to do with the compatibility testing that Rickard Keen carried out, asking a series of quick-fire questions and then sending the results to be analysed to ascertain where personalities are compatible in a business context.
“It’s always a gamble recommending a firm to someone, because where they have worked for you in the past, they may let someone else down, and then the recommendation can backfire. When it comes to Rickard Keen, and especially Bill Gould, I have total faith in recommending them to anyone at all, and I know there will never be a negative consequence.”