Pictured: Baker Tilly Partner Mike Huggins and Birmingham Hippodrome's Chief Executive, Stuart Griffiths 

Baker Tilly in Birmingham has reinforced its commitment to the Arts with the renewal of its sponsorship of Birmingham Hippodrome, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

The charities will benefit from a combined bequest of £15,000 this year; with the Chartered Accountants and business advisors hoping their donations will encourage other local businesses to support charities.

Mike Huggins, partner and charities specialist at Baker Tilly, has worked within the sector for over 25 years and is a member of the Midlands Charity Finance Directors Group. Commenting on the sponsorships, he says: "The Arts are increasingly relying on funding from individuals rather than corporate support which, in the long term, will lead to both a cultural deficit within the local business community and many charities struggling to survive.

"There is a natural fit between business and the Arts and the results can be hugely beneficial for both parties. If businesses carefully consider the organisations that they support and their objectives for providing funding or sponsorship, the outcomes for all concerned are much more productive and can alone provide the incentive to prolong and develop the relationships in the future."       

The Birmingham office of Baker Tilly has supported Birmingham Hippodrome for over a decade, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra since 2006 and the Royal Shakespeare Company since 2007.