One of the UK’s fastest growing business advisory firms has strengthened its banking and finance team to meet increasing demand.
Baldwins, a CogitalGroup company, has appointed experienced banker Stephen Cridland as the new banking and finance director for the firm’s offices in South Wales, including Victoria Square in Aberdare and Dunleavy Drive in Cardiff.
Stephen joins the firm with more than 30 years’ experience in the banking sector having previously worked with Bank of Wales, Bank of Ireland and Handelsbanken.
This understanding of the marketplace and processes leaves Stephen well-placed to work closely with clients and funders to secure competitive finance tailored solutions.
Stephen will help businesses from across the region raise finance as well as offering tailored help and advice for each client’s individual needs.
Speaking about working with Baldwins, he said:
“It’s refreshing to work with a company that recognises the importance of operating in the communities that it serves.
“This is a really exciting time to join the business as Baldwins’ ongoing expansion gives us even greater opportunity to assist clients with a wide range of finance and banking needs where the financial market place is more competitive than ever before.
“Being unable to secure favourable, cost-effective funding terms is one of the main barriers preventing successful SMEs from investing in the development of their business.
“However, I’ll be able to use my extensive banking contacts and experience of how banks operate to be able to help firms to broker the best finance deals.
“The uncertainty of Brexit continues to hang over us but this equally presents a potential opportunity for businesses to trade on flexible terms with the rest of the world, and it’s important that businesses have a plan of how they are going to react to different scenarios.”
Baldwins’ banking and finance offering was set up over five years ago by the department’s national head, Martyn Shakespear.
Martyn added:
“I’m so proud of what we do to help our clients grow and prosper by helping them navigate the weird and wonderful world of finance.
“Having a highly experienced local banker like Stephen is a perfect addition to the team, which continues to expand as more and more clients benefit from our specialist services combined with the continued growth of Baldwins.”
Dave Owens, regional managing partner for the South West at Baldwins, commented:
“Despite the uncertainty that lies ahead for the UK, several businesses are still investing in their operations, considering diversifying services and looking to expand into non-EU markets, so it’s vitally important that we can apply financial expertise to a variety of business sectors to reflect its client base, and Stephen is perfectly placed to do that.”
Baldwins specialises in accountancy and business advisory services, including corporate finance and specialist tax advice to all businesses from start-ups to mature companies, across a broad range of business sectors.
