SMART opens new London office to meet client and market demand

London, England April 26, 2007 – SMART, the global business consulting services company, today announced its expansion to the UK with the opening of its London office, SMART UK. Encouraged by market forces and led by client demand, the London office will initially provide Business Consulting Services to Financial Services clients in the UK.

Founded in 1988 by James J Smart, SMART is one of the largest and fastest growing business advisory and consulting companies in the US (ranked 21st largest public accounting company in the US in Public Accounting Report, 2007) and has experienced 40% year-on-year growth over the last 10 years. SMART’s revenues in 2005 totalled $80 million and in 2006 exceeded $100 million.

SMART offers a diverse range of business advisory, consulting, accounting, tax, and compensation & benefits services to the financial services (banking and capital markets, and insurance), real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, higher education and public sectors.

James Smart, founder and CEO of SMART commented: “SMART has always grown its geographic presence through organic growth and selected acquisitions and strengthened the company’s skill set through critical hires. It was time to come to London and I am committed to the growth of our global offering within the UK. Our corporate culture has always set us apart and we will ensure our UK clients receive the same quality experience and level of service as they do in the US.”

Chris Tattersall, the former Head of Financial Services in the UK and Netherlands at BearingPoint, has been appointed to lead SMART UK. The UK business will initially provide business consultancy to the banking, capital markets, insurance and real estate sectors. 

As Managing Partner for SMART UK, Chris Tattersall added:  “We see enormous potential in the UK market for a bespoke consultancy company such as SMART.  With the void left by the Sarbanes Oxley rules, the role of the trusted advisor is more important than ever.  The SMART consulting team consists of specialists who combine both sound academic background with years of industry experience.”  

John Culleton has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, SMART UK.

About SMART

SMART (www.smartgrp.com) is a premier, full-service business consulting and advisory company serving clients throughout the US and globally. SMART offers innovative solutions to public and private companies in the areas of business consulting and advisory, technology, business process, assurance, accounting, compensation and benefits, and tax.

About James J Smart, Founder and CEO of SMART

James J. Smart is the founding Partner of SMART.  He established the company in 1988 and has built one of the fastest growing full service business advisory, consulting and accounting companies in the US growing revenue to in excess of $100 million in 2006.

SMART has 700 employees with 15 offices across the US, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, and internationally in Amsterdam and London.

James Smart has been a visionary in the accounting and business advisory services industry for over twenty years, and has participated actively as speaker in many international events for the International Group of Accounting Firms (IGAF). 

Through his keen anticipation of market needs and trends, he has strategically provided companies of all sizes and industries with practical and cost effective accounting, assurance, tax, business, technology and financial advisory services.

About Chris Tattersall, Managing Partner, SMART UK

Chris Tattersall is Managing Partner of SMART UK, and heads the company’s newly-established UK Business Consulting and Advisory practice.

Prior to joining SMART, Chris spent several years with professional services companies in London.  He led BearingPoint’s Financial Services practice in the UK and Netherlands, and preceding this role, he was a Global Leader of the Corporate Banking Practice at Capco.  Chris also has a distinguished track record in international banking.   As Senior Vice President and Head of ABN AMRO’s Global Transaction Services (GTS) UK, he grew revenues by 80% in three years and increased transaction volumes by 150%.

Chris’ knowledge and experience in Financial Services spans both the Banking and Insurance sectors over a 25-year period.  He has specialised in wholesale banking solutions, especially in operations management, transaction services, outsourcing and utilities, and regulatory reporting.

A frequent speaker at conferences, he is a member of the international cash management and electronic banking community.  Chris is an Associate of the UK Chartered Institute of Bankers.

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