Date of issue: 16th April 2007

CLEMENT KEYS EXPANDS NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS
Independent chartered accountants Clement Keys is expanding its services to the not-for-profit sector and has promoted Simon Atkins as partner to drive forward further growth in its specialist Pension Schemes and Charities Unit.

The team has doubled in size in the last three years as new clients have come on board and it has already won five new charity clients so far this year.

After gaining a Bsc in Mathematics at Warwick University, Simon trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with a top twenty firm in 2000. Simon joined Clement Keys in 2003 where he has specialised in the charities and not for profit sector.

As an audit manager Simon works with charities providing accounting and business advice to ensure that charities comply with the requirements of the Charity Commission and the Charities SORP. He also works with local authorities - including 375 parish councils throughout Worcestershire and Warwickshire - to ensure compliance with the standards laid down by the Audit Commission.

Through its membership of Polaris International, the worldwide network of independent accounting, auditing and consulting firms, Clement Keys audits funds deployed by the
EC Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) to ensure the effective operation of the European Union's aid projects. Simon is heavily involved with this contract which was renewed for a further five years at the end of 2006. As well as validating funds utilised in ECHO-financed aid projects the contract involves identifying best practice so that knowledge and expertise can be shared with other recipients of EC funding.

Partner Alan Robertson, who heads the Pension Schemes and Charities Unit, says: "Simon is an experienced audit specialist who works with all sizes of not-for-profit organisation, from major national charities to local youth theatre groups, and has been instrumental in building the firm's reputation in this field.

"We are delighted to recognise Simon's contribution to the ongoing development of this key area of our business by appointing him as a partner. Going forward we anticipate that Simon will become increasingly involved in managing the team while maintaining his day-to-day contact with clients and reinforcing our credentials in the not-for-profit sector.

" Whilst we are welcoming Simon into his new role, we are also saying goodbye to partner Chris Gupwell, who joined Clement Keys from Feltons two years ago. Chris is very well known and respected in the West Midlands for his expertise in family and charitable trusts, we all wish him well in his retirement."