Mazars urges Indian firms to use Birmingham as gateway to Europe
BUSINESSES in India have been urged to see Birmingham as their gateway to Europe. The request came from the Midlands managing partner of accountants and advisers Mazars who was in the sub-continent to explore new business opportunities.
David Chapman said Mazars in Birmingham already had a strong relationship with Tata in India and through its work with Jaguar Land Rover. It therefore made sense to leverage this to try and secure interest from other Indian firms looking to expand into European markets.
Mr Chapman was accompanied by Jerry Green, international commercial manager, HSBC, as the pair made a series of major presentations to chairman and chief executives of companies in Delhi and Mumbai.
“We were pushing the Midlands as the Gateway to Europe for companies on the Indian sub-continent who want to launch or grow the export side of their business,” said Mr Chapman.
“And we stressed that the global reach of both Mazars and HSBC meant that we were natural partners for those looking for a foothold in the European market.”
He cited growing evidence of Indian interest in the Midlands as a base for European operations.
“We are a Gateway to Europe – 50% of India’s investment in Europe goes to the UK – even before you take Tata into consideration. There has been a10% increase in Indian companies choosing to locate their European headquarters in the UK,” he said.
Some 700 Indian companies have chosen to locate their businesses here and India is now the fourth largest investor in the UK, he pointed out.
“Although British people of Indian origin account for just 2% of the total UK population, they punch above that weight to generate five per cent of UK GDP,” he added.
As well as managing Mazars’ Birmingham and Nottingham offices, Mr Chapman also has responsibility for growing the firm’s Indian business.
“India is a prime market for us as a global accountancy practice, and we now have over 500 staff there – a number which is growing at a rapid rate as we continue to win new business both in India and in the UK and Europe,” he said.
“Mazars is an international, integrated and independent organisation, specialising in audit, accountancy, tax, legal and advisory services with offices in 61 countries across five continents. Globally we directly employ nearly 13,000 professionals, so we are well placed to offer the complete package to companies with global ambitions.”
Mazars’ Midlands operation has secured new business from clients such as Pertemps and Aviva, and its portfolio already includes Alstom UK, Manganese Bronze Holdings, Portmeirion Group, Schneider Electric, GeoPost and Arval.
Since taking city centre offices at 45 Church Street last year, the practice has recruited 37 new staff including eight graduates.
