Accountants figure out a fitting tribute to Bowie

Burnley man Les Nutter, the managing partner at Cassons, joined tax partner Colin Tice, chartered accountant Dan Woods from Colne and accounts and business manager Andrew Cottam from Simonstone, in taking lead roles in the production, which was inspired by Bowie’s 1972 single “Changes”.

The video, which features partners and staff from across the firm, explores the changes that have taken place in popular culture since the original track was released 44 years ago.

Les, who lives in Burnley, said: “It’s fair to say 2016 will go down as one of the most eventful years in recent history, with Britain voting to leave the European Union, the United States electing Donald Trump as President, and the loss of some of our most treasured cultural icons such as David Bowie, Sir Terry Wogan and Muhammad Ali, all of whom have sadly passed away in the last 12 months.

“At the same time we are also living through a technology revolution, which is transforming virtually all aspects of our working and social lives.

“With this in mind, we decided we wanted to celebrate the work of David Bowie – one of the greatest musical talents Britain has ever produced – and when we started researching his back catalogue, the one song that jumped out was ‘Changes’ because it seemed to capture the general mood in the country at the moment.

“The aim of the video is to take the viewer on a journey through the last four decades, showing how we have, and will continue to, support our clients through some challenging times and technological changes, starting with Britain joining the EEC in the 1970s, through to BREXIT.

“It also looks to the future and some of the challenges we are likely to face post-BREXIT, including the push towards greater digitalization through the Government’s Making Tax Digital initiative.”

Cassons became internet sensations three years ago when their “Holding Out for a Cassons Hero” video, which showed the firm saving a client from a mountain of paperwork, attracted more than 10,000 views worldwide.

Last year’s Christmas video – “Cassons Number 5” – was a parody of the 1999 Lou Bega hit “Mambo Number 5”.

Les added: “Every year we try to do something different and it’s all about having fun and showing people an unexpected side to the business.”

Created and filmed over three days by Shooters Media in Oswaldtwistle, the production features the vocals of Mitchell Smith, who is studying popular music performance at Leeds College of Music, and was put together with the help of choreographer Lesley from Encore Dance School in Nelson.