Our BCASS poker night is one of the highlights of the year and in 2008 we’re holding it a little later than usual in September.  As well as free-flowing booze and food (a prerequisite of a Toner Graham bash) we will be offering prizes to the top 3 finishers in the poker tournament and raffling off an iPod nano.  Experienced players and those that are new to the game are equally welcome.  For more information, contact our Birmingham office on 0121 631 8787 or email birmingham@tonergraham.com.

April 2008 saw Toner Graham’s 3rd  BADCASS Annual Quiz. The event took place in Clifton and was well attended. It was a closely-fought contest but the eventual winners were KPMG. An inquest is being held as this was the organiser’s team!

Over 45 well-mannered, upstanding BADCASS students entered. Not all 45 were well-mannered or standing up by the end of proceedings.

In March 2006 Toner Graham worked with Sue Pye from the ICAEW to re-launch The Thames Valley Chartered Accountants Student Society (TVCASS). The newly formed committee represents trainee accountants from firms in the Thames Valley region, and its purpose is to provide fun events (with food and drink) and the opportunity to meet other trainees.

The first event in May 2006 was a pub quiz sponsored by Toner Graham at The Outlook pub in Reading. Nearly 100 accountants turned up and the competition was fierce and that was just with trying to win the prize for the best team name! However, one team showed true talent by leading from the outset and winning by a small margin. Congratulations to BDO for winning the trophy for the first Annual TVCASS Pub Quiz. They were so proud that they even paraded the trophy around a number of establishments in Reading town centre ending at Revolution and didn’t lose it!

Toner Graham is committed to supporting TVCASS to help ensure that the committee does not disappear again. With this in mind the next event we are sponsoring is already on the calendar – a Sports Night and BBQ in August 2006. We look forward to seeing more TVCASS members there.

Toner Graham is pleased to announce the exciting opportunities available at Resolution Plc – in assisting with the migration of the Liverpool operations to the HQ at Wythall, Sth Birmingham.

Resolution is the largest specialist manager of in-force UK Life Funds.  Recent acquisitions of Swiss Life and most recently Abbey National closed life funds have moved Resolution to the cusp of the FTSE 100 index, and the company is continuing along a strategy of aggressive acquisitions.

There are currently 40+ positions at various levels which Toner Graham is handling. We are looking to recruit at all levels, ranging from part qualified studiers with a demonstrable interest in a career in Financial Services, to senior finance professionals with a track record of success within this industry, and in particular in Life Funds.

If you would like to find out more information about working for this rapidly expanding and high profile organisation, or would like to have a discussion with one of our dedicated consultants, please contact our Midlands office via Birmingham@tonergraham.com or on 0121 698 8787.

Toner Graham is delighted to announce the opening of its Bristol office. Located in prestigious offices at Temple Quay, adjacent to Temple Meads, this is Toner Graham’s fourth UK office. Director Paul Toner said: “After twelve years in the West Country based in Cheltenham, the launch of Bristol is a logical and exciting development. It will allow us to service our existing corporate clients in Bristol more effectively in addition to offering a comprehensive range of opportunities to our candidates as we penetrate the SME market and launch our Public Practice Division.” Toner Graham has various plans and marketing initiatives to mark this important development.

For further information please telephone 0117 344 5100 or email bristol@tonergraham.com

On Thursday May 11 th 2006 , the Thames Valley region held their first No Limit Texas Hold'em Poker Night at Café Du Sport in Reading . 15 part and newly qualified accountants from Deloitte's battled it out across three tables for the privilege of winning the title of ‘Deloitte Poker Champion' and the honour of walking away with the winners trophy.

On arrival, tournament players were met a buffet large enough to feed a small country and an unlimited bar tab. The boasting and goading started almost immediately, with a few choosing to play innocent and deny any knowledge of poker; soon all was to become clear. It was time for the challenge to commence……………

With a stack of chips and some alcohol fuelled confidence the play was interesting and very tactful – especially from those who had ‘never played before'!!! At the end of the session there were two clear winners from each table. The six confident players then moved to the Champions Table………the stakes were now even higher as the trophy and title were within reach.

The very confident TVCASS Chairman and Secretary (their names have been excluded to protect their identity) were out early on and sat in shock as the winner of the evening, Claire Gledhill, emerged triumphantly and pocketed £100 prize money and was very happy to receive the prestigious trophy and the associated bragging rights!! Quite fitting for Claire to win given that she was key in making the evening such a great success.

If you are interested in participating in future events, please email reading@tonergraham.com for details.