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John Gittins, 47, a chartered accountant, was most recently finance director of Vertex Data Science Limited, until recently a wholly owned subsidiary of United Utilities, between 1999 and 2007. Prior to that, in 1993, he joined Spring Group plc, a fully listed UK Support Services company, where he was the group finance director.

Graham McInnes, who has been the finance director since the company joined AIM in September 2004, will remain on the board but will assume the new role of corporate development director.

Geoffrey Hill, who is currently a Non-Executive Director, will also become an Executive Director of the Company with responsibility for developing services to the accountancy profession. John May will be proposed as a Non Executive Director. Mr May is also an Executive Director of Caledonia Investments plc. He joined Caledonia in 2003 and previously worked for the Hambros Group for over 20 years until 1999, where he was an executive director of Hambros Bank and joint managing director of Hambro Countrywide, after which he ran his own private equity investment and consultancy business.

Begbies Traynor, founded in 1989, is the UK's largest independent practice of insolvency, corporate rescue and recovery specialists with a national network of offices. The firm provides a full range of corporate rescue and recovery services to organisations ranging from major multinational companies to individuals encountering business difficulties.

In July, the Group reported preliminary  results to 30 April 2007 that saw group turnover increased by 35 per cent to £45 million, compared to £33.2 million last year. Operating profit (EBITA) was up 29 per cent at over £10 million, compared to £7.8 million in 2006. 

Ric Traynor, Chairman of Begbies Traynor Group PLC (AIM:BEG), said, "Subject to shareholder approval, we will be delighted to welcome both John May and John Gittins to the board of Begbies. We are confident that the wealth of experience which they can bring will further enhance our business both strategically and commercially."

"Graham McInnes' move, to concentrate his considerable knowledge on corporate development will, we believe, create opportunities for Begbies to continue to grow the range of services we can offer to our clients."

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• Begbies Traynor Group PLC