Demand sparks key appointments to Midlands forensics team

A leading professional services firm is expanding its Birmingham-based forensic accounting team to satisfy growing demand.

Baldwins has appointed the trio of Heidi Webster, Neil Rudd and Laurel Windsor from top ten UK accountancy firms. They will be based at the firm’s Bank House office on Cherry Street, which has seen consistent monthly growth for forensic services over the past six months.

Heidi joins from KPMG as Associate Director with more than 25 years of accounting experience, while Neil and Laurel arrive from BDO and Mazars respectively.

The new appointments join Martin Chapman, Partner, and an Assistant, Jaden Reynolds, who launched Baldwins’ Forensic Accounting service in Birmingham last March.

Since March the team has worked on a number of forensic accounting cases, covering a range of matters including loss of profit, fraud investigations, business valuations, and other commercial disputes.

Baldwins’ forensic growth is being driven by internal referrals thanks to the firm’s nationwide network, as well as external referrals from the legal sector.

The Baldwins Group - a CogitalGroup company - now has 95 offices across the UK, employing more than 3,200 staff.

Martin Chapman, Forensic Accounting Partner at Baldwins’ Birmingham office, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the start we have made and the great response to Baldwins entering the Birmingham forensic market which has resulted in a number of external referrals.

“With our latest recruitments we now have a team with strong forensic accounting pedigree in place to develop this momentum further.

“While we have a significant client base in the Midlands, our expertise also means we are supporting Baldwins’ expanding network across the UK – which is particularly pertinent at a time when commercial disputes are common and internal and external fraud is on the rise.

“We’ve also developed strong working relationships with solicitors on a number of cases as well as national police forces on fraud investigations, which will bode well for growing the forensic offering in the future.

“With Baldwins’ Birmingham office offering a full range of advisory services it means we are seen as a serious option for solicitors whose clients may need our advice. The Birmingham office working in a collaborative way has meant a number of our teams are working with the same client.”

James Hamilton, National Head of Forensic Accounting at Baldwins, outlined the importance of the firm’s forensic accounting expertise in Birmingham.

“Quality forensic accountants are in demand, so I am delighted we have been able to create such a strong team in a key legal centre such as Birmingham.

“We are all excited to see the continued growth of the Birmingham office and the rapidly expanding relationships we have with the local businesses community.”