Case Study: Water at Work

HOW A LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH TC GROUP HELPED DRIVE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND PEACE OF MIND

In 1997, Tanya Cornford was looking for something more. After leading marketing at Gala Bingo and facing redundancy, she took a bold leap into business ownership.

Water coolers. Now there’s a niche idea.

It’s something Tanya had seen done well in America and felt there was real value in bringing it to the UK, especially in the Midlands.

From humble beginnings, Water at Work hit the ground running. Growth came slowly, but steadily, and Tanya liked it that way.

“My philosophy’s always been not to expand too fast or borrow too much. I’ve always focused on developing within our capabilities and prioritising service over size.”

And that philosophy paid off.

While competitors have come and gone, Water at Work has flourished – organically growing into a business with nearly £1 million in turnover, a loyal customer base, and an engaged and happy team, some of whom have worked with Tanya for more than 25 years.

But behind every thriving business is a network of trusted partners. For Water at Work, one of those critical partners has been TC Group.

Tanya first connected with TC Group more than a decade ago while searching for a new accountant who truly understood the needs of an SME.

“I was looking for a new accountant based in the Midlands when we set up here. I just couldn’t find one that felt like they were on the same wavelength as us – until I met Jordan (Dennis). I knew as a company we’d work easily with him and TC Group. He understood SMEs, understood what we needed, and most importantly, showed a real appreciation for our business.”

That initial meeting laid the foundation for a long-term relationship that has gone far beyond annual accounts. Over the past 10 years, Tanya has tapped into TC Group’s broad pool of specialists for strategic advice, software migration support, and practical business guidance.

“We’ve worked with so many different people across the TC Group. Every time, it’s been easy, collaborative, and genuinely helpful.”

Jordan Dennis, Partner at TC Group shared, “When I first met Tanya, I was excited to welcome a new client and build a strong, collaborative relationship. My priority was to understand Water at Work’s goals, challenges, and expectations so we could tailor our support to their unique needs.

That’s my approach with all clients – open communication, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to success. Having worked with Tanya for nearly 10 years, we have developed a strong, open relationship – not just from an advisory perspective, but in tackling wider business challenges too.”

Most recently, Water at Work has been transitioning from Sage to Xero, an important and complex shift for any business. Tanya’s confident they’re in safe hands.

“It’s a huge step for an organisation to move its entire accountancy package, but we have complete faith in TC Group to get us from A to B smoothly. We know that if any hiccups arise, it’ll get sorted. It’s the reassurance of having great support from a team who genuinely care about getting things right.”

Even though Water at Work runs its own payroll function in-house, Tanya regularly turns to TC Group’s Payroll team for guidance and clarity when needed.

“The team help and guide us, giving us the information and advice we need about tax and many other ‘need-to-knows’. TC Group think outside the box in that respect.”

 

HOW WOULD TANYA DESCRIBE TC GROUP IN 3 WORDS?

‘Supportive, professional, and fun’.

She also emphasises the importance of working with the right business advisors and accountants to drive your business forward.

“If you’re looking for long-term success, it’s all about relationships. You want people who care, who want to help, and who have your back. That’s what we’ve found with the TC Group.

It’s quite easy to start and grow a business – but it’s difficult to do it properly. Properly means your health and safety obligations, your policies, your accounts, and most definitely – your taxes. You need accountants who will stop you falling into any potential traps. When you’re juggling everything, having a collaborative partner like the TC Group—supportive, like-minded, and trustworthy—makes a big difference.”

 

SO, WHAT’S NEXT FOR WATER AT WORK?

Now in its 25th year, the business is in a strong, enviable position. Tanya’s vision is to keep it that way, retaining the brilliant people, delivering great service, and maintaining a healthy, sustainable operation.

Working with TC Group has been a long-term investment in stability, clarity, and confidence.

“TC Group gets it. They get you. And they’re with you every step of the way.”

If you’re looking for a trusted advisory and accountancy partner to help drive your business forward, get in touch!

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