Grant Thornton and RSM Robson Rhodes have officially put the seal on their high-profile merger.

The completion of the tie-up will be greeted with relief by both sides, after Robson Rhodes' last merger attempt with RSM McGladrey was derailed.

Within the last hour, the new firm - to be known as Grant Thornton UK LLP - put out a joint statement: 'The merger of Grant Thornton UK and RSM Robson Rhodes LLP has been completed after first being announced by the two firms' partners on 29 April, 2007.

'The merger has now created one of the strongest accounting and business advisory groups in the UK with the depth of resource, expert capability and market credibility to make it the leader in its chosen marketplaces.'

Michael Cleary, CEO of Grant Thornton UK LLP said: 'As a result of this merger Grant Thornton is now a stronger business with greater resource, deeper expertise and enhanced credibility. We move forward in the belief that we can continue to service our clients and win many more assignments by offering the market the brightest minds and a level of service which is second to none.'

David Maxwell, formerly managing partner of RSM Robson Rhodes and now a partner on Grant Thornton's national management board added: 'The merger also greatly enhances our reputation as a leading provider, to both public and private entities, of specialist advisory services such as corporate finance, forensic and investigations, not-for profit, project finance, recovery & reorganisation and entrepreneur and private client services - to name but a few. The merger boosts our position within financial services, property & construction, health and education and public sector work.'