Member Article

Banking expert is latest director to join Begbies Traynor Group’s advisory team

Experienced banking specialist Martyn Shakespear is joining Begbies Traynor Group as the leading specialist professional services provider builds its advisory offering across the East Midlands.

With a 39-year track record providing banking and funding advice, Martyn joins as director in the Corporate Solutions team within BTG Advisory which provides tailored funding solutions and receivables management services.

Over the years, Martyn has held senior positions with a number of banks including NatWest Bank, Bank of Ireland and the Co-operative Bank. More recently, he spent seven years as national head of banking and finance for Azets (formerly Baldwins Accountants), based at its Nottingham office, advising its clients across the UK about funding options.

In his new role, Martyn, who hails from Burton-on-Trent and still lives near Nottingham, will focus on growing BTG Advisory’s Corporate Solutions offering across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond. He will complement the firm’s established Corporate Solutions team which provides a wide range of services including raising finance, refinancing, credit control services and sales ledger management.

Karl Hodson, partner for BTG Advisory, said: “With almost 40 years’ experience, Martyn brings huge insight having worked both for banks and also within a national accountancy firm, advising businesses large and small across the whole banking/funding marketplace. Not only will his banking expertise add further insight to the Corporate Solutions team, but having spent his entire career based in the East Midlands, he is extremely well-known in the region and is trusted by an extensive network of contacts.

“In recent years, we have seen demand for our specialist services continuing to grow as SMEs look for expert support with their finance needs. In the current fast-changing and challenging times, commercial funding is more vital than ever and Martyn will add to our ability to support businesses across the East Midlands too.”

Martyn comments: “I’ve always admired Begbies Traynor Group, the firm handles more insolvency appointments than any other UK practice and I developed good relationships with them while working within the banking sector. With its strong reputation and progressive outlook, joining the firm was an easy decision for me.

“Looking ahead, pressures on small businesses are likely to intensify as government support measures are withdrawn and government loans are required to be repaid. Together with the current challenging trading environment, this means there will be a growing need for businesses to consider refinancing or restructuring and for the specialist services to support them.

“BTG Advisory is well-positioned to work with primary and secondary lenders and also to act as a strategic partner to other professional advisers, such as accountants, adding specialist funding expertise to support their clients. I am really looking forward to bringing clients the benefit of working within a diverse group with a wide range of complementary services.”

The Corporate Solutions team assists businesses needing to raise finance, working with banks and accountants across the Midlands and the North as well as partnering with Caple Business Loans to provide unsecured loans of £500k to £5m. In addition, the team provides sales ledger support, helping to collect outstanding business debts.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .