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Fine Advice for Entrepreneur From Midlands Based Professionals- 02/11/2010
Two West Midlands based professional firms have advised a Shropshire entrepreneur on an investment which is designed to boost the success of his international fine wines company.
Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP and Shrewsbury accountants Whittingham Riddell LLP advised Ben Dawes, and his company Richard Dawes Fine Wine Limited, on receiving further funding from company shareholders, which will allow him to increase the number of employees, move to larger premises and increase his stock.
With advice again from Leanne Consiglio of FBC Manby Bowdler and Simon Baker of Whittingham Riddell, Shrewsbury-born Ben Dawes established Richard Dawes Fine Wine in 2008, following 10 years in the international wine trade.
Based in London, the company has a global business, and serves a wide range of customers, from purchasers of individual crates of wine for drinking and investment, to international wine clubs, merchants and traders. More than 40% of the company’s sales are currently exports into the Far East.
“Wine has been booming as an investment for the past 10 years, especially in Asia, and I realised that there was a gap in the market for a company which could offer the best products, coupled with advice on investment and resale on an international basis,” said Mr Dawes.
The company doubled its turnover in its last financial year to more than £4 million and with the new investment aims to continue this strong growth.
The additional funding has financed a move into larger premises in Plantation Wharf in London, and will allow Mr Dawes to employ two new sales people, as well as to invest further in stock.
“Leanne Consiglio from FBC Manby Bowdler and Simon Baker from Whittingham Riddell worked together to provide me with excellent advice which helped get my business off to a flying start, and now with the recent investment move to the next level,” said Mr Dawes.
Born in Shrewsbury, Mr Dawes attended Ellesmere College, leaving after ‘A’ levels to pursue his career in fine wine in London. Richard Dawes Fine Wine can be contacted via its website on www.rdfinewine.com
With 36 partners, FBC Manby Bowdler is one of the largest law firms in the West Midlands. The firm has offices in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Telford, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth