Lloyds strengthens mid-market business with new appointment

THE Birmingham office of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, the division which supports mid-market businesses and large corporates, has strengthened its West Midlands operation with the appointment of Mark Lewis as Relationship Director.  

Lewis will be based at the bank’s flagship office on Colmore Row and he will be part of the 40-strong mid-markets team, which support a wide network of businesses with annual turnover in excess of £100m.

He will primarily assist UK companies looking to maximise growth opportunities both at home and also in overseas markets.

A banker with nearly 20 years of relevant experience, Lewis brings a wealth of knowledge to the role having previously held senior corporate banking positions with RBS where he was responsible for managing a wide portfolio of mid-market and large corporate businesses across the Midlands and was also a Director in the Portfolio Management team.

Andrew Connors, Area Director for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking in the West Midlands, said: “We were delighted to have recruited Mark who brings great knowledge and experience to our growing team. His appointment adds additional strength to our offering in the West Midlands at a time when we are looking to increase our lending to mid-sized companies and large corporates across the region.”

Mazars recruits capital allowances specialist

ACCOUNTANCY firm Mazars has appointed capital allowances specialist Ray Chidell, left, to work with its team in Birmingham. He joins as a director in the firm’s Central Region – the Birmingham, Nottingham, Milton Keynes and Gloucester offices – but is helping to develop the capital allowances advisory service of the firm nationwide.  

He is well known within the accountancy profession for his expertise in the area having published many books on the subject both for businessmen and for technical specialists including an A-Z guide, and others focusing on plant and machinery and company cars.

David Chapman, managing partner of the Birmingham office of Mazars and head of the firm’s Central Region, said: “Ray will strengthen our team in this important area for clients.  

“The capital allowances planning on a new build, refurbishment or acquisition of a commercial building  can easily be worth 10-15 per cent of the building’s value and is therefore very valuable to clients.  It is also non controversial which is important at a time when tax avoidance is coming under such scrutiny.”

Magma relocates to support growth

AN accountancy firm assisting companies in Birmingham has moved into a new head office in Warwickshire.

Rugby-based Magma Chartered Accountants is a four partner, 40-strong firm which saw substantial client wins throughout 2012 and more than a dozen corporate finance transactions.
 
Mark Tuckwell, Managing Partner, said: “Our message is starting to get through.  Owner-managed businesses do not need to pay large firm prices to ensure great service and advice.  We have the set-up and people, many with ‘Big Four’ backgrounds, to combine cost-effective compliance and reporting services with a high quality, added value advisory capability.”                   
 
One key difference between Magma and the wider accountancy profession is age.  The average age of Magma’s partners is 38, some 15 or more years younger than the industry average.  
 
“It’s really about outlook, something to which age naturally contributes.  We are able to be truly focused on long-term relationships, with a real hunger and energy to ensure we can make a difference now,” added Tuckwell.       
 
Pictured from left are: David Nash, Andrew Wilson, Will Lodder and Mark Tuckwell, all partners at Magma Chartered Accountants.