ONE of Southampton's best-known businessmen may have to put his drumsticks aside following promotion to the top - he'll have even less spare time than before.

Kim Hayward, who famously had his garage sound-proofed so he could play stress-busting drums without annoying the neighbours, is now at the helm of one of the city's high-profile business advice companies.

He replaces Tim Bentall who, after ten years, has stepped down as managing partner at BDO Stoy Hayward in Southampton, where 70 people are employed.

Kim joined BDO Stoy Hayward in 2002, having been a partner with Ernst & Young in Southampton for ten years.

He said: "Tim has done an excellent job, steering the firm through a period of great change over the last decade.

"I am delighted to be asked to manage the continued growth and development for the firm on the south coast for the next decade.

"With the surname Hayward, I am often asked whether BDO Stoy Hayward is the family firm.

"Alas, through my genealogical enquiries, I can trace no linear descendancy but nonetheless, I do sometimes get the red carpet treatment and the best coffee when I visit other offices!"

Two senior staff have also joined the firm.

They are audit department manager Kier White and senior VAT manager Janette Wall.

They are no strangers to each other, nor to Kim.

They were at school together at Bitterne Park in Southampton, and then found themselves working with Kim at rivals Ernst & Young.

Kier said: "Our paths crossing so many times has become a long-standing joke, but it really is pure coincidence."