Date of issue: 30th July 2004

BUTCHER TURNS TO CLEMENT KEYS FOR SPECIALIST ADVICE

Leading butcher's group Walter Smith is helping chartered accountants Clement Keys, Birmingham confirm its position as a realistic alternative to the 'Top 10' firms, after appointing the firm to provide tax planning advice plus audit and corporation tax compliance services.

The appointment follows Walter Smith's decision to take a proactive approach to succession planning.

Walter Smith (B'ham) Ltd was founded in 1885 and comprises 30 shops located throughout Birmingham and the Black Country. It was owned by the successive generations of the Smith family until 1996, when three senior directors acquired the business following a Management Buy Out.

Over the years the group has developed by embracing modern business practices, while at the same time retaining its traditional values and maintaining an age-old commitment to quality meat and high standards of service.

Today, a wide range of fresh meat and meat products can be purchased from Walter Smith shops and its newly launched website. The company's deep-rooted commitment to staff training has secured Meat Training Council accreditation for its butcher training scheme.

The Clement Keys team advising Walter Smith includes partners Ross Cocker and Phil Cook and director of business services Russell Homer.

Phil Cook heads the firm's taxation division, while Ross Cocker specialises in the owner-managed business sector, particularly corporate finance and strategic planning for larger owner managed businesses and smaller listed companies. Russell Homer is responsible for helping clients achieve their potential through business development and corporate planning.

Following initial meetings, Clement Keys, Birmingham provided Walter Smith with some ad hoc advice in respect of tax planning opportunities, before securing both this business plus a contract for ongoing compliance work.

"Walter Smith is a traditional Midlands company and we are delighted to be working with its directors, who see themselves as caretakers with the responsibility for advancing the group's development while also protecting its interests for future generations," said Ross Cocker.

"They appreciated our swift response and 'no nonsense' approach to dealing with the kind of issues faced by businesses of this size."

With this latest client win Clement Keys, Birmingham is underlining its ability to service larger companies in a variety of industry sectors, particularly businesses with a turnover in excess of £20m.