About us: testimonials
Richard Neal is a busy man. Since leaving his native north-east to set up Combined Masonry Supplies (CMS) more than 20 years ago, his hard work has helped it grow into a thriving business that has twice outgrown previous premises and now employs a 15-strong team at a large, modern unit on Bradford’s Ripley Road Business Park.
As well as his role as co-director of the company – which supplies tools and other equipment to the granite and stone trade, including monumental masons and quarries – Richard takes a very hands-on approach to dealing with customers and all the other day-to-day issues that arise. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also set up a couple of other businesses.
So knowing that he can always rely on Lambert Roper & Horsfield’s Nick Frost and his team to give him a fast, efficient service - whether it’s dealing with a telephone query or producing user-friendly management accounts from data supplied by CMS - is invaluable.
Richard says: “If I ask them to do something, it’s done. I don’t have to chase anything because it will come straight back and I can get it out of my mind. That’s really important when you’re running a business.”
CMS dates back to 1986, when Richard decided to go it alone after working as a sales rep in the masonry business. He wanted his employer, a north-east company, to set up another branch to cover his Yorkshire territory but when they were reluctant to do so, he took the opportunity himself.
For almost 20 years, CMS used the same accountant the company had had since day one. When, at his instigation, they decided to go their separate ways two or three years ago, he was happy to recommend Lambert Roper & Horsfield, and Richard hasn’t looked back since.
He explains: “We meet up with Nick at least every four to five weeks - more often if there is an issue, good or bad, to be dealt with - but I know that I can pick up the phone to Nick at most hours of the day and ask for help. If he’s not immediately available, he’ll always get back to me.
“They are a very efficient firm. We do our own accounts and send them over to Nick for conversion into management accounts and if he spots any issues, he’ll let me know straight away. The management accounts give us an almost instant overview of the business, for example illustrating the percentages on materials against sales.”
Richard also likes the fact that Lambert Roper & Horsfield is well respected within the accountancy profession and in the finance sector, including CMS’s own bank.
That reputation and corporate finance expertise was particularly useful a couple of years ago, when Richard was involved in setting up a couple of other companies – also clients of Lambert Roper & Horsfield – producing granite and corian worktops. The firm drew up a successful proposal for funding to support the businesses to take to the bank.
Richard sums up: “Lambert Roper & Horsfield are very efficient, very objective and they carry a lot of respect. As a client, that gives me confidence.”
