Accountancy firm Armstrong Watson has launched a new division to help its clients tackle the ever-changing pace of technology with confidence.

The accountants and business and financial advisers, which has offices across the North of England and Scotland, including three in Carlisle plus bases in Penrith, Wigton and Dumfries, has created its client technology advisory service.

It will be headed up by technology specialist Barry Maxey.

The advisory service will provide its clients with new technology strategies, system design and solutions, with a particular focus on accounting, finance and ERP solutions and cyber security.

Mr Maxey, who previously ran his own telecoms business, said: “This is an exciting time in this sector with the emergence of new technology enabling businesses access to better ways of working, for example, artificial intelligence, while at the same time addressing the real concerns – and increasing likelihood – of cyber attacks.

“I look forward to working together with businesses to help embrace all that new technology can bring, and also ensure, through our cyber security health check service, that security systems and controls are in place to protect businesses too.”

Armstrong Watson said it was proud of its reputation as a leader in its field and was keen to adopt new technologies. It added that it was the first UK accountancy firm to transfer all its accountancy clients across to cloud accounting software Xero.

It added: “This addition to their broadening remit of service lines reflects the firm’s ambition to remain at the forefront of business advisory providers.”

Paul Dickson, chief executive and managing partner of Armstrong Watson, said: “Businesses have to adapt very quickly to this swift pace of change and need to consider how technology can drive efficiencies to ultimately help them achieve their goals.

“It’s sometimes difficult for business owners to fully keep a bridge of the technological solutions available to them and often these are viewed as very complex and/or an expensive necessity.

“Our new advisory service, led by Barry, is here to help with those decisions, combining our expertise to propose specific technology choices and suggest effective digital infrastructures for our clients, before purchase and installation.

“Whatever the type of business might be, we can support any client across the technology landscape, offering sound advice on the wider use of technology systems.”