French Duncan and Macfarlane Gray create £10m firm

TWO OF THE LEADING Scottish firms have merged. 

French Duncan and Macfarlane Gray will operate across eight offices, with a combined fee income of nearly £10m.

Macfarlane Gray, formed in 1934, is currently the British Accountancy Awards’ Best Independent Firm in Scotland, and operates in the Forth Valley at £2m turnover.

French Duncan’s managing partner Graeme Finnie said: “I think it’s fair to say that, at the moment, we are one of the most focused and dynamic practices in Scotland and the merger with Macfarlane Gray is just one more step on the road to our goal of becoming Scotland’s premier indigenous accountancy practice.

“I would also say that, while some of our competitors are talking about mergers, we’re actually doing it.”

Macfarlane Gray’s four principals are senior partner Alan Skilling, Greg Callan, Ellen Waters and Hazel Burt. The firm will retain its name as part of French Duncan LLP.

“A merger of like minds, this deal represents a coming together of services for the common good of clients and staff,” said Skilling.

French Duncan said that it “continues to consider strategic options for growth, including acquisitions and mergers”.

There are no redundancies or office closures resulting from the deal.

Pictured L-R: Ellen Waters; Robert Kerr; Alan Skilling; Greg Callan; and Graeme Finnie