THE OPPORTUNITY to gain greater international coverage was the biggest selling point for MHA MacIntyre Hudson in its decision to make Baker Tilly International (BTI) its international network.
The firm announced yesterday that it would leave Morison International to join Baker Tilly International.
Indeed, while there were no complaints over its existing network Morison International arrangement, BTI’s offering, strategy and coverage won the day, MacIntyre Hudson managing partner Rakesh Shaunak told Accountancy Age.
“We simply felt it was too good an opportunity,” he says. “We leave Morison on very good terms, but the opportunity for greater reach and international coverage was key, and BTI’s ethics and strategy are closely aligned with our own.”
The move sees the firms in MacIntyre Hudson’s MHA network across the UK also linking up with BTI, giving the international network the national coverage it desired following the eponymous Baker Tilly’s departure, while also eliminating any potential conflict between the two networks.
MHA was set up in 2010 comprising six well-respected regional firms. Since then, two more firms have joined the group, with its membership today taking in Bloomer Heaven, Broomfield & Alexander, Carpenter Box, Henderson Loggie, Larking Gowen, MacIntyre Hudson, Moore and Smalley, and Tait Walker.
As a result, MHA has presence in Scotland, Wales, East Anglia, the north-east, the north-west and the Midlands, through 37 offices across the country. BTI, on the other hand, represents the world’s eighth-largest network, boasting 27,000 people in 161 member firms across 137 countries.
“The decision was made in consultation with the MHA member firms,” Shaunak explains. “In all, it took around six weeks between putting it to them and the announcement, so it was quite straightforward.”
Crucially, Shaunak and MacIntyre Hudson remain “very proud” of the MHA brand, and as such, the switch in network does not entail a change in name or branding.
“There are absolutely no plans to change names or the current branding,” Shaunak says. “We are extremely proud of our brand, and we look forward to our developing relationship with BTI.”