Date of issue: 16th November 2005

SONGWRITER'S LINK-UP WITH ROBBIE KEEPS HIS ACCOUNTANT BUSY

Birmingham accountant Michael Meakin is one man who was delighted to see Robbie Williams' latest album go to the top of the charts, because it represents another key milestone in the career of one of his long-standing clients - songwriter and guitarist Stephen Duffy.

A founder member of Duran Duran, Stephen is mainly remembered for his flirtation with Britpop in the mid-1980s, but is also a cult figure to the small, but devoted worldwide fanbase of his group, Lilac Time. Now, Stephen is Robbie's new songwriting partner and helped pen and produce the top-selling 'Intensive Care' album.

Robbie's initial plan to spend a couple of days writing some folk songs with Stephen 'just for a change' led to the duo spending two years collaborating on an album which, most industry insiders agree, takes Robbie in an interesting direction.

Critics have been quick to note Stephen's influence, recognising that there is more introspection and searing honesty in Robbie's lyrics and that his music reflects a number of key influences, including the early 1980s electronic sound of the Human League and New Order, as well as echoes of the Rolling Stones, the Smiths and Oasis.

"Anything new from Robbie Williams creates a stir, and by Stephen's admission 'Intensive Care' has been a platform for all types of experimentation," says Michael, who is managing partner at Clement Keys and heads the firm's sports and entertainment unit.

"Stephen is a prodigious talent, but it is this latest songwriting partnership, his role as instrumental organiser on the album and the fact that he played on stage at Robbie's recent Berlin gig, that will send his profile through the roof.

"As specialists in financial planning, taxation compliance and auditing for people working in sport, the media and the entertainment industry, it is up to us to maximise Stephen's earnings potential by tracking his various sources of income, ensuring record companies pay royalties promptly and helping to stamp out image rights abuse."

Having represented Stephen for more than 20 years, Michael expects to be kept busy well into next year, when Stephen joins Robbie's 18-month world tour and tour earnings, sponsorship and appearance money come into the equation.

Other music industry clients include high-flying rock band The Darkness, Alison Moyet - whose recent One Blue Voice national UK tour was a sell out - and Justin Hawkins, ebullient frontman of The Darkness, who clinched a recording contract for his first solo project in August.