Ex-steel man and wife launch accountancy venture in Port Talbot

Ex-Tata Steel man Delme Davies and wife Nia have got off to a flying start with their new accountancy firm.

The two experienced accountants have set up Davies Warlow in their home town of Port Talbot

Delme joined British Steel in 1998 when the Corporation’s finance operation transferred from London to Llanwern. He then moved with the department to Orb Electrical Steels in Newport, and finally to the Port Talbot plant, holding a number of senior finance roles over the years.

Mainly working on restructuring projects, he  saw the steel company transition from British Steel, to Corus, and now to Tata Steel.

Now Delme works with his wife and fellow chartered accountant Nia in their own business, Davies Warlow based in their hometown of Port Talbot serving an increasing number of Welsh SME businesses. The couple had met when they both trained at accounting and business advisers PWC in Cardiff.

The start-up, launched  last year, received a £500 grant from the Kickstart programme, run jointly by Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE and Neath and Port Talbot County Borough Council.

Davies Warlow has got off to a flying start in its first twelve months. “We are gaining new clients all the time, and there is a strong demand for our services,” said Delme.

The firm offers a full range of accountancy services including corporate and personal tax,  mainly serving SME businesses and helping them grow and operate more efficiently. “As companies develop, they need a wider range of accountancy services,” said Delme.

Nia previously worked in senior accounting roles for Tesco, renewable energy company Inetech and  for Finance Wales,  now Development Bank of Wales.

Last year they launched Davies Warlow:  “We thought that combining our skills and experience would mean we could offer an enhanced, personal service to our clients, covering all their requirements,” said Nia.

“As well as their compliance needs, we help them interpret information and produce management accounts, so they know where the business is going,” she added.

The grant support was useful in purchasing office equipment for their base on Seaway Parade Industrial Estate. “It was very helpful and we used it to buy essential equipment,” commented Delme.

Glyn Thomas, Manager in Wales for UKSE said: “We are delighted to help launch Davies Warlow, and especially pleased to support a former colleague at Tata Steel. It is good to see that Delme and Nia are assisting local businesses, which in turn are creating jobs and wealth in the Welsh economy.

“We wish them every success in the venture.”

A spokesperson for Neath and Port Talbot County Borough Council said: “Working together with UKSE, the Council’s Economic Development team is able to help new and existing businesses across a wide range of sectors such as Delme and Nia, who took the opportunity to use their previous work experience to start a business and work for themselves.

“These businesses are vital to the development of the local economy and it’s great to see how our combined support can make such a significant difference to them.”