The head of Baker Tilly's Manchester office has predicted that its £1.25m relocation to a new office in the city will result in significant growth.

Baker Tilly currently employs about 125 staff in its Manchester office and expects this number to rise by about 10% this year. The firm relocated to its new office between Christmas and New Year.

Baker Tilly's tax and management consultancy business lines have been identified as areas of potential growth.

Mark Blakemore, office managing partner, said boosting the Manchester office's annual turnover of £12m was achieveable, despite the effects of the economic downturn.

'We expect our office move to be a catalyst for significant growth over a five-year period,' Blakemore told the Manchester Evening News.

'Although 2009 will be a challenging year for the economy, the significant investment we have made in the building and continue to make in our staff reflect the confidence we have about our business and our clients,' he said.

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