Baines & Ernst team joins Berry & Co

THE corporate recovery team at Baines & Ernst in Manchester has left to join forces with insolvency practice Berry & Co.

The 12-strong department led by Jonathan Cooper has become part of a new firm based in Lloyd Street called Berry & Cooper.

In a statement it said it had a projected annual fee income of £2.6m and plans to open a nationwide network of offices within the next 12 months.

It has a six-figure fund of bank and investment finance to back the growth of the business.
 
Stephen Berry said: “We are harnessing our vast expertise and resources to create a dynamic, forward-thinking firm that will quickly become a true force to be reckoned with in the insolvency market. Berry & Cooper clients now have access to unparalleled restructuring advice across a full range of insolvency situations.
 
“The majority of firms in this industry have retreated into their shells following a sustained period of market contraction. What sets us apart from those practices is that we are determined to achieve significant growth ambitions and we have the confidence and collateral to back them up.”
 
Mr Cooper said: “Plans are already in place to spread our wings beyond Manchester and the North West and we intend to expand our footprint into as many as five different locations over the next year.”

Baines & Ernst specialises in debt management and is part of the Paymex Group.