New accountancy firm announces major hires

David Baldwin and Shaun Knight, who transformed Baldwins into a top 10 accountancy firm with more than 95 offices nationwide, have formed BK Plus – an accountancy firm designed to support UK’s SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and larger corporates.

Now the firm, headquartered at Walsall Business Park, has been joined by several of Mr Baldwin and Mr Knight’s former colleagues.

Gary Powell and Chris Blue, who worked with them in Cannock, have moved to the company, along with Gregg Davenport, Tom Phillips and Jack Simmonds from Wolverhampton, and Ian Wilkins from Stourbridge.

BK Plus provides a wide range of business advisory services, such as accounts, audit, taxation, bookkeeping and payroll, through to corporate finance and other specialist advice.

Mr Baldwin, former board member of Baldwins and co-founder of BK Plus, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to become increasingly hands-on with clients by passing on some of my own experiences of running and growing a successful business.

“Providing a strong advisory service with localised knowledge is crucial now more than ever for businesses, as they are currently creating a roadmap of their own out of lockdown so that they can not only survive, but thrive in the long term.

“At BK Plus we have recruited personnel with a variety of expertise so that clients are able to receive ‘big firm specialism’ in a personalised way.

“Access to funding is a key area that businesses need assistance with in order for them to diversify and grow, and is one of many services we will be assisting in the coming months.

“We have been amazed at the volume of old and new clients that have been in touch and have joined us. We are ready to welcome many more through the doors.”

Mr Knight, former chief operating officer at Baldwins, said that launching BK Plus during the pandemic had enabled them to mould their approach and operations to the needs of businesses, and were well-placed to support businesses in their recovery and growth.

“This is a chance for myself and David to build on the success of what we achieved previously and focus on what matters to businesses,” he said.

“While BK Plus is headquartered north of Birmingham, our fast-growing team services clients across the region and further afield. As we emerge from the pandemic our clients will increasingly move back to face-to-face meetings to build relationships which we are keen to facilitate.

“This will be complemented by technology options and online communications, but it will be a pleasure to welcome clients back into our meeting rooms.

“Personal relationships, regular direct client contact, and really understanding the bare bones of what makes a business tick are hugely important when ensuring the best advice to clients.

“Sometimes this can be lost, so BK Plus is founded on our desire to go back to our roots by listening to businesses, and using our experience and contact base to help them reach their potential.

“As a business we are forecasting a strong first year of growth as we continue to recruit for new trainees, managers and partners to help us maximise our impact across the country.”