James Cowper appointed administrators of luxury horsebox manufacturer 
Partners Sue Staunton and Sandra Mundy of Thames Valley accountants and business advisers James Cowper have today been appointed administrators of the luxury horsebox manufacturer, Olympic Coachbuilders.
Established in 1991 from the closure of Lambourn Coachbuilders, Olympic Coachbuilders’ vehicles offer bespoke transport with stabling from two to 12 horses, with the option of luxury living accommodation. Olympic Coachbuilders also manufacturer a number of specialist vehicles for the emergency services.
Sue Staunton said: “Olympic Coachbuilders employed more than 20 people at its Didcot manufacturing plant and can trace its roots back some 250 years. The recession has hit the company hard, yet it remains an attractive business with a prestigious reputation. We already have a number of potential buyers lined up and we hope that Olympic Coachbuilders will continue to manufacture its highly respected horseboxes.”
James Cowper is recognised as one of the UK’s leading firm of accountants in the equine and bloodstock market with a reputation that extends far beyond the firm’s Thames Valley base. Clients of the team range from substantial multinational organisations to small owner-managed businesses including trainers, breeders, owners, bloodstock agents, industry bodies and racecourses. The firm also operates taxation helplines for the British Horse Society and Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
The firm also has a strong track record in advising and turning around failing companies. Over the past 12 months the firm has acted on the liquidation of Designer Rooms, the 10 store clothing chain; on the administration of Gamegrid, operating a network of amusement arcades at airports and motorway service stations; secured the sale of TEAM, a South Wales-based automotive components manufacturer, which enabled creditors to be paid in full; advised on the purchase of a £25m recruitment business out of administration saving 2,000 jobs; and has advised a number of companies in difficult negotiations with HMRC in relation to crown debt arrears in a bid to avoid formal insolvency.
Sue Staunton, Partner, James Cowper LLP, Tel: +44 (0)1865 200500 or email sstaunton@jamescowper.co.uk
14.06.2010