How Chiptech built a UK base for growth from New Zealand
Chiptech, a New Zealand telecare company, came back to the UK in 2019 after an earlier attempt. It had no staff on the ground in year one and the banks were saying no. Here is how we helped it grow.
A second attempt at the UK market
Chiptech designs personal digital care products for people who need contact services, and sells them worldwide. It had tried to set up in the UK some years earlier. By 2019, it felt the time was right to try again.
Two problems stood out. Nobody worked in the UK office in the first year, so the finance side had to be run from somewhere else. And banking was hard. Chiptech approached UK banks from New Zealand and completed the paperwork, but its planned arrangements fell through. Covid, Brexit and anti-money laundering (AML) checks all played a part.
As Graeme Moore, who has run a business for over 20 years, put it: "It was difficult for us."
Before
An earlier UK attempt that stalled, no UK staff and no UK bank account.
After
A UK business with accounting, payroll and its own bank account, now planning a permanent finance team.
One team across every function
Chiptech chose Paul Beare after Paul toured with Trade NZ. "Paul had done a tour with Trade NZ and we felt it was a good fit," said Graeme. We guided the team through tax, payroll, accounting, pensions and banking, and advised on hiring employees in the UK, including where UK and New Zealand terms differ.
- 12019
Partner chosen
Chiptech appointed Paul Beare for its second move into the UK.
- 2Year one
Accounting run from London
We set up accounting on Xero and worked with Chiptech's New Zealand accountant on transfer pricing, the rules on how group companies charge each other.
- 3Banking
Trading through our trust account
We made introductions through our UK bank connections. Meanwhile, Chiptech operated through Paul Beare's trust account on a provisional basis.
- 4Own account
UK bank account opened
Glenda from our team helped Chiptech open its own UK business bank account. "We couldn't have done it without her."
Doing well, with more to come
"We're doing well and we've got lots more opportunities to look forward to," said Graeme. Chiptech is now planning a permanent finance function in its UK office.
The growth has continued. In 2026, Chiptech was reported to hold around a third of the UK market, with 60 staff in the UK.
"We're really happy with where we've got to and working with Paul and the team has been fundamental to that."
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Paul Beare provides accounting, tax, payroll and banking support for overseas companies running a UK business. Talk to our team about your plans.
