James Cowper Kreston appointed by Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust

Thames Valley accountants and business advisers James Cowper Kreston has been appointed by The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust (SOFO) to provide audit, accounting, general tax and VAT advisory services. The appointment was made on 15 June following a competitive tender involving two other firms.

A registered charity, SOFO’s main aim is to establish a permanent home for its long-standing regimental collections and provide a modern museum with a family led focus and a vibrant temporary exhibition programme; hosting touring exhibitions and showcasing its unique collection, covering conflict and social history in the county. Construction work on a new £3 million museum in Woodstock within the grounds of The Oxfordshire Museum is due to commence shortly. When complete, the facility will provide an excellent county resource with meeting room facilities, lectures and an activity programme for all age ranges and interests.

Andy Jones, business services director in James Cowper Kreston’s Oxford office, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed and to be part of SOFO’s vision for the new museum. At James Cowper Kreston we take great pride in the work we do for local, regional and national charities. The firm has a strong track record in this sector; we understand the issues and pressures facing charities and are able to respond accordingly.”

Commenting on why the trustees appointed James Cowper Kreston, Mike Holmes, Financial Director at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust said: “James Cowper Kreston demonstrated the range of skills and services that SOFO needs as we develop the new museum and a strong, positive commitment to working with us and supporting our goals.”

Whilst SOFO has raised the funds needed to build the new museum, it still has the considerable challenge of raising funds to fit it out the Gallery spaces in time for an Autumn 2013 opening.  Anyone interested in supporting SOFO, whether by joining as a Museum Friend or Volunteer or if they just want to learn more about the project and on-going opportunities to sponsor museum spaces can contact SOFO via its website at www.sofo.org.uk.

James Cowper Kreston acts for a number of charities across the Thames Valley and further afield including Oxford Diocesan Council for Social Work (“PACT”), Oxford Homeless Pathways, Purley Park Trust, Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, The British Dyslexia Foundation and a number of independent schools and Academy schools.

Andy Jones, Director, James Cowper Kreston LLP, Tel +44 (0)1865 861166 or email