Paul Harrison is a Chartered Management Accountant, having qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) with over 25 years of experience in financial services and payments firms. After spending over two decades in London, he recently returned to the Fylde coast to establish Awake Accountancy – a forward-thinking, technology-driven practice.
Awake is in its startup phase, but committed to building a cutting-edge firm that leverages cloud and AI solutions to enhance client service and efficiency, while putting exceptional customer experience at the heart of everything we do.
Here Paul shares his business inspirations, discusses the Boost support received, and why Lancashire is a great place to do business.
Having recently moved back to the Fylde coast after 25 years away, I was keen to understand the local business landscape and connect with support networks. Boost provided invaluable insight into the local ecosystem, offering advice and networking opportunities that helped shape my approach.
The Boost advisers' knowledge and support have been instrumental, and I highly recommend them to anyone starting or growing a business.
Boost provided a valuable sounding board for my business strategy, helping me refine my proposals, pricing structures, and operational setup. Their experience with local clients gave me crucial insights into market expectations and pricing.
While Awake is still evolving, the ongoing support from Boost has been incredibly beneficial in shaping our growth strategy.
The recommendation to run an accounting and finance workshop last year was a game-changer. It significantly raised Awake’s profile and led to meaningful client conversations, some of which converted into long-term business relationships.
That experience reinforced the power of positioning our firm as an expert and trusted advisor in the local business community.
Richard Branson launched Virgin Atlantic with a single plane and a contingency plan to return it after a year if things didn’t work out. He took that risk not just to build a company, but to improve an industry.
That philosophy resonates with me – when your focus is on making a real difference, business success follows naturally.
Freedom and the ability to help clients achieve their financial and business aspirations. Accountants today must go beyond compliance and act as strategic partners, using financial insights to drive growth. At Awake, we help businesses set and track key metrics – such as profitability, sales effectiveness, and cash flow – so they can scale with confidence.
Seeing our clients succeed is what drives me.
These ambitious targets reflect our commitment to scaling Awake into a leading advisory firm by leveraging technology, automation, and client-centric innovation.
I begin with 10 minutes of positive affirmations over a cup of tea, followed by an hour of industry and technology research to stay ahead of trends in accounting, AI, and business strategy.
Lancashire is brimming with potential – an incredible business community, knowledgeable professionals, and a thriving support network. It’s the perfect environment for ambitious startups looking to scale.
Go for it! The support, guidance, and connections Boost offers can be a game-changer for your business.
Be crystal clear about your vision and goals. Systemise everything you can and embrace technology to streamline operations. The more automated your processes, the more time you have to work on the business rather than in it – allowing you to focus on growth rather than getting caught up in day-to-day tasks.
If you’re looking to grow, scale or start your business, use Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. We offer a range of funded business support services. Call our Business Support Helpdesk on 0800 488 0057 to find out more or complete our enquiry form.
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