Baldwins Accountants strengthens its team

Chris Briggs

A forward-thinking accountancy firm whose offices stretch across the Midlands, Shropshire and Wales has further strengthened its banking and finance team.

Chris Briggs, who has vast experience in the financial sector, has been appointed associate director of banking and finance at Baldwins Accountants to work alongside Martyn Shakespear, who heads up the banking and finance team.

The 45-year-old has joined Baldwins after specialising in the manufacturing sector for Lloyds Bank for the last six years. Chris worked with clients from within the manufacturing supply chain not only on finance but also on production techniques and processes and this year, he gained accreditation for the Manufacturing Awareness programme run by the Warwick Manufacturing Group.

Previously, Chris was part of the Business Link team based in the Black Country and was the Midlands’ senior manager for succession planning for Advantage West Midlands.

He also has experience of dealing with businesses while he was project manager for the Black Country Chamber of Commerce which is now part of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

He said: “This new role means I will have the opportunity to work in-depth with clients and make a real difference to their business.

“I will be helping businesses who are looking to raise finance and would maybe like a bank review to check whether their current bank is supporting them in the way they should be.

“If businesses would like to raise finance from banks or other lenders, we can work on their behalf to make sure they get the best deal in negotiations and we also make sure customers are getting the best return on any money which is sitting in the bank.

“There are plenty of different finance opportunities available – such as grants – and by working closely with my colleagues in different departments we will be providing an all-round service for customers whatever sector they are based in.”