Practice - Key staff go to Kidsons

Four key members of Binder Hamlyn’s public-sector team have moved to rival Kidsons Impey, following Binder’s decision to stop working for the Audit Commission because its ‘fees were too low’.

David Buxton, Kerry Reid, David Eagles and Henry Arthurs, who were all senior members of Binders’ specialist public-sector team, will join Kidsons from 1 April.

Binder Hamlyn said it had given the team a remit to sell itself to other practices. ‘We withdrew from working with the Audit Commission as the fees were too low, and there was a risk that quality would be compromised.

A number of people have moved to other firms and we have assisted in any way we could,’ said a spokesman for the firm.

Kidsons partner Sandy Boyle said the team had been approached by several Big Six firms. ‘The team excluded some of the Big Six firms because there wasn’t a strong commitment to the public sector. They were looking for a firm with a proven track record in public-sector work to develop a firm, long-term presence in the sector. They decided Kidsons was the best in terms of its personal and professional aspirations,’ said Boyle.

Peter Douglas, Kidson Impey’s national managing partner, said he was ‘delighted to welcome the team on-board.’ Speaking on behalf of the team, Buxton said: ‘We are firmly committed to this sector and are extremely excited to be working with Kidsons.’