Ernst & Young (E&Y)’s corporate finance team at the Colmore Square offices in Birmingham claims to be the fittest corporate financiers in the Midlands. They are training for the Rotary Shakespeare Half Marathon taking place in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 27.

In addition, Jon Hughes, the E&Y UK managing partner for corporate finance, took part in the London Marathon on 12 April while partner Mathew Carter is preparing for La Marmotte - a 120-mile cycling endurance race over the French Alps.

Carter said training for the Rotary Shakespeare Half Marathon had been 'great for building a real sense of team spirit'.

'Nearly all 17 members of the transaction support team in Birmingham are taking part in the half marathon and, with just a few weeks to go before the big event, it is creating a real buzz in the office.’