Monday, 4 August 2008

Managing NZ - UK Governance

I am spending more time than I like at the moment with lawyers and accountants. It is nothing personal of course, but an essential part of managing a business that spans the globe.

In the UK, Pingar engages Baker Tilly as its external accountants. In New Zealand, the Baker Tilly International affiliate is Staples Rodway. And so it is that at 3.00pm this afternoon, I will be at their offices talking bilateral accounting stuff.

The same is true on the legal scene. Ensuring compatibility across our legal structure in the UK & NZ is critically important. That's good news of course for the team at Lowndes Jordan who advise Pingar in New Zealand. Despite the fact that NZ and the UK share many similar legal models, there is sufficient difference to require a double dose of professional advice.

Working through these structural issues has to be completed at the outset. Understanding each national company set-up is one thing. Understanding the relationship between two legal, tax and accounting regimes is totally different. Governance then is the name of the game. More trips to those accountants and lawyers are planned.

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