Pictured above: Regional managing partner John Kelly,
partners Nigel Price and James Martin and director Daren Mills at
Begbies Traynor's new office in Birmingham
The Birmingham office of business rescue, recovery and
restructuring specialists Begbies Traynor is expanding to cope with
the increased workload generated by the recession.
It is taking on new people and has moved to larger offices.
The office has hired 12 extra staff over the last four months
and now has 30 between corporate recovery, corporate finance and
commercial finance.
And the push is not over yet with further newcomers lined
up.
The recruits include Nigel Price, who has joined as a partner,
and Daren Mills, who arrives as a director, both switching from
Moore Stephens.
Both, in particular, have strong Black Country links, while Mr
Price is a well-known face around the Birmingham professional scene
and Mr Mills also has extensive contacts in the Derby area.
John Kelly, regional managing partner at the Birmingham office,
said: "We are taking on additional staff because of the volume of
work - others will follow.
"Nigel and Daren very much complement our business, offering us
an extra dimension. They have a strong liquidation base and banker
network. And we hope to exploit their connections in the Black
Country and Derby.
"Our intention is to create a sustainable business rather than
just reacting to the economic climate."
Mr Price and Mr Kelly once worked together at accountants Ernst
& Young; Mr Mills and Birmingham partner James Martin know each
other well from their days at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
"It is a bit like old times and I am sure we will fit in well,"
said Mr Price.
Mr Mills said: "I am enjoying all the different challenges being
thrown up by the current difficult market."
The increased numbers have meant a move to new premises - still
in the heart of the city centre.
The team has switched from Newater House in Newhall Street and
taken the 10th floor of Temple Point, the former Windsor House
adjacent to House of Fraser.
It has gone from 3,700 sq ft to 6,800 sq ft.
"Ironically, it is in effect going back to where I first started
when I came to Birmingham in 1983," said Mr Kelly.
"These are excellent new facilities - we wanted to create a
better working environment for our own people and better meeting
room facilities for our clients."
And there is sufficient space to accommodate the office's
continuing growth.
Recent administrations handled out of Birmingham have included
manufacturing group Savekers and property agents Barbers.