Business advisory firm BDO is creating dozens of jobs in an expansion push under a new lead partner.
Former senior tax partner Richard Rose has taken over in the top role from Mark Anslow who is retiring from the partnership to take on the role of chief executive at a BDO client, Pemberstone Ventures.
Mr Rose told the Birmingham Post there were plans to recruit up to 40 new staff after seeing growth across the board in its audit, tax and accounting departments.
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Mr Rose, who has been at BDO for nine years, is taking over the 265-strong team in Birmingham with immediate effect and is targeting 20 per cent revenue growth this year.
He said another key part of his plans was to strengthen the brand of BDO in the city, a year on from its merger with former rival PKF.
He said: “I think at the moment we are one of the city’s best-kept secrets, and I’d like to see the end of that,” he said. “Part of my drive is to develop the BDO brand here.
“We have got 265 people here at the moment and we are looking at increasing that by 15 per cent, which reflects how much optimism there is.”
Mr Rose, who started his new role on April 1, joined BDO in 2005 after spells with KPMG in Leeds and HSBC.
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He said it was in a strong position to grow on the back of the merger.
PKF has brought in clients from the education and medical sectors, allied to BDO’s traditionally strong areas, manufacturing and real estate.
“The merger is done now, we are one organisation,” Mr Rose said.
“It’s added some strong parts of the business, like medical services in Birmingham.
“There focus on education and academies is also something we didn’t have before in the business.”
He added: “There’s been a real shift in business confidence with companies responding ambitiously to the upturn in the economy.
“We want to continue to be at the very centre of those investment decisions for our clients in the mid-market, to advise them on the opportunities in both domestic and international markets and provide them with the best service around. I know we have a great team in place that can do exactly that.”
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BDO currently has 16 partners in Birmingham.
The firm has begun recruitment drive is set to start with new roles are across the board.
Mr Rose said: “The market for talented people is quite tough at the moment. We are seeing the market picking up, and businesses are looking towards growth after a long period out of recession.”
Mr Anslow, who is moving to Worcester-based property investment firm Pemberstone, said it had been an honour to head up the BDO team in Birmingham for the last seven years.
He added: “It was a tough decision to make but now is the time for me to move on to a fresh challenge and I’m pleased to be able to pass over the reins to such as seasoned professional like Richard.
“With the support of a highly respected partnership and the dedication of the hugely talented people at BDO, I’m confident that Richard will continue to build upon the firm’s success in the Midlands.”