Accountancy firm expands and relocates

A West Midlands accountancy firm has relocated its Birmingham office to cope with recent expansion and demand from owner-managed and family-run businesses.

Haines Watts, which saw over 10% growth in the region during the last twelve months, has taken more than 7,000 sq ft of grade A office space at Calthorpe Estates’ Greenfield Crescent development in the heart of Edgbaston Village.

A substantial investment went into the move that will accommodate more than 45 staff over two floors, with plenty of room to accommodate additional recruitment plans and the possibility of further acquisitions.

The new offices are open-plan to ensure streamlined communication and offer the latest technology, such as video conferencing and click share screens, across four meeting rooms. There are also breakout meeting pods for more informal discussions and a café that can be used by the team.

“2018 was a good year for the business and, following the recent acquisition of Michael Kay & Company, we needed a new Birmingham home that could house the larger team and help us with planning for future growth,” said Darren Holdway, managing partner at Haines Watts Birmingham LLP.

“The Greenfield Crescent office provides our staff and clients with a modern place to work, meet and host best practice seminars. We’ve equipped it with the latest technology, but hopefully, by using the latest design techniques, have ensured we create the personal atmosphere that reflects the personal service we try to deliver.

“Our Birmingham practice has grown by 27% in terms of staff numbers and this includes several new and future high-profile appointments that strengthens the senior management and client facing teams.”

Haines Watts is a top 15 firm of chartered accountants, advising and supporting over 35,000 owner-managed businesses and SMEs across the UK.

The Birmingham office is the largest in the West Midlands and covers the Greater Birmingham area and parts of Warwickshire, with four other offices in Wolverhampton, Worcester, Hereford and Tamworth providing support for the rest of the region.

Its expert teams work with companies to understand their business aspirations, giving them access to a host of advisory services that enables owner managers to reach their destination with speed and certainty. This includes accountancy support, maximising R&D tax credits, raising finance, tax planning, strategy advice, talent management and help with succession planning.

Darren said: “There’s a lot of uncertainty at the moment and I think this will only continue as we move towards October 31st. What ambitious owners need is a specialist that understands their business and the external support required to help them realise their growth plans…this certainty is exactly what Haines Watts is renowned for.”

Matt Long, portfolio development director at Calthorpe Estates, said: “We are delighted to welcome Haines Watts to the Estate. The office space is perfect for companies looking for a modern, high-quality environment with a variety of award-winning restaurants, coffee shops, leisure and lifestyle amenities on its doorstep, as well as on-site car parking.

“Set outside the Clean Air Zone, coupled with the arrival of the Midland Metro tram in Edgbaston in 2021 and existing public transport infrastructure such as Five Ways train station, it is giving Birmingham businesses a compelling reason to relocate to Edgbaston.

“Haines Watts is the eighth business in as many months to relocate or open new practices in Edgbaston Village, following the likes of Kat & Co Aesthetics, Wright Silverwood, Fisher’s Estate Agents, Donald Insall Architects and Childbase Nurseries.”

Pictured: From left, Kevin Hodgetts, Terri Halstead, Darren Holdway and Andrew Jones from Haines Watts