Pictured: Mark Selby 

Baldwins, one of the largest independent family-owned accountancy firms in the Midlands, has further strengthened its team with two key senior appointments.

Renowned business improvement consultant Mark Simmons has joined the firm to help deliver strategic business advice and practical support for the region's businesses. Although an accountant, Mark's expertise lies in his experience of helping turn around underperforming businesses.

Mark Selby is the second significant appointment within a month and sees him join with 15 years' experience advising SME owners and managers on a range of Corporate Finance matters, including acquisitions, disposals, management-buy-outs and fundraisings.

Mark Simmons said of his appointment: "Baldwins is an ambitious firm that recognises the importance of delivering advice that is not just based on the balance sheet. Professional advisers often form a protective bubble around clients in an attempt to protect them, without ever having experienced the transformation of a business from the centre; they're always on the outside looking in. My job is to get inside a business, focus on the commercial realities and offer advice to deliver stability and long term success to businesses of any size."

Pictured: Mark Simmons

Mark Selby commented: "It's a good time to join a forward-looking firm like Baldwins as we look to help the region's businesses find answers to their funding problems. Most businesses have experienced significant volatility since 2008 and this has created major challenges when it comes to making key business decisions. I believe the current outlook is more encouraging given that the present period of relative stability should have a positive impact on bank lending and make business investment decisions easier.

John Baldwin, chairman of the firm, said of the appointments;"Being able to attract talent like Mark Selby and Mark Simmons says much of our reputation in the market place. People recognise our ambition and our determination to deliver an unrivalled level of expertise and client service to businesses across the Midlands, as we continue to build a reputation for delivering answers, not just highlighting problems. I believe passionately that given the right information, any business can succeed and that's what this firm is all about; helping clients succeed."