French Duncan joins international network HLB

SCOTLAND-BASED firm French Duncan has joined international network HLB International to be its exclusive Scottish representative.

French Duncan was ranked 68th in the 2013 Accountancy Age top 50 +50 table with a fee income of £8.5m – a 6% increase on the previous year. HLB International came 14th in the 2013 Accountancy Age Top Networks survey with a combined annual total income of £1.5bn, a 12.5% drop compared to the year before.

French Duncan managing partner Graeme Finnie (pictured) said: “We are delighted to join such a dynamic and business-like organisation as HLB. HLB is renowned for its professionalism and we are convinced that membership will add considerable value to our clients as a consequence of the strength and quality of its international network.”

The latest move will see HLB have complete geographic cover in the UK with a combined fee income of about £90m.

HLB International has member firms in about 110 countries with 14,000 staff in 500 offices worldwide. French Duncan has 20 partners and nearly 200 staff in offices based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Hamilton, Dumbarton and Kirkintilloch. 

Earlier this year Manchester-based Beever & Struthers joined the network. The firm came 61st in the Accountancy Age Top50 +50 table. At the time of the firm joining, its managing partner Phil Roberts said: We believe there is considerable potential for bringing international transactions to the North West of England and to increase the number of our clients with overseas interests.”

So far 2014 has been busy for HLB International, which also recruited several other member firms from around the world including: Trinity Financial Services in the British Virgin Islands; Fiduciaire International from Luxembourg; Fadnis & Gupte from India; Rokembach + Lahm, Villanova, Gais & Cia in Brazil; and Safwat Ebeid & Co from Egypt.