Practice round-up: HURST, Haines Watts, Begbies Traynor and more...

HURST establishes digital team

Accounting and business advisory firm HURST has formed a specialist digital team to assist companies in improving their performance and efficiency by making the most of technology.

The digital team will be led by Jo Gibson, an Associate Partner in the firm’s business services team, and includes Senior Digital Consultants Neil Jackson and James Hallewell, supported by IT Manager Andrew Vennard.

Gibson said: “The technology revolution is ushering in new software applications and a host of other innovations.

“By embracing the digital era, businesses are able to improve their systems, processes and data flows, which will ultimately improve their bottom line.

“Our approach is designed to transform businesses through technology, automation and integration.

“By providing a bespoke service and tailoring solutions to suit the client’s business strategy, we are helping them make better decisions and become more efficient and successful.

“When used correctly, technology can help businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors, and has been proven to help attract and retain the best talent.”

Look out for the full story on Accountancy Age next week…

Haines Watts invests £1.5m in UK offices

National accountancy firm Haines Watts has announced £1.5m worth of investment in several of its UK offices in a drive to modernise and revamp its existing space, as flexible working styles become more commonplace.

As part of the firm’s overarching strategic plan, office refurbishments have taken place in Birmingham, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Diss, Colchester, Cardiff and London.

Michael Davidson, Managing Partner at Haines Watts, said: “We know agile and flexible working is attractive to the ‘future of work’, so our new offices in Birmingham have no fixed allocated seating and our most recent London acquisitions have been brought into our Holborn office, taking a similar approach.

“We are even looking at co-working spaces for clients in our future plans and are very keen to lead the way in being a modern business unafraid to adopt change.”

Begbies Traynor acquires Alexander Lawson Jacobs Limited

Begbies Traynor Group has announced the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Alexander Lawson Jacobs Limited (“ALJ”), a London-based insolvency business recovery practice.

The firm is ranked as a top 20 UK insolvency practice, and the acquisition will see the team of 24 directors of employees join the group and enhance the existing network of offices across London and the South-East.

The acquisition is for an initial consideration of £2.35 million, to be satisfied by £2.1 million in cash from the group’s existing resources and through the issue of 296,195 new ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the group.

Ric Traynor, Executive Chairman of Begbies Traynor Group plc, said: “I am very pleased to welcome the Alexander Lawson Jacobs team to the group. They are an experienced team with a strong recent growth record, which will enhance our existing strong network of offices across London and the South-East.

“This acquisition is in line with our strategy to increase the scale and market share of our market-leading insolvency practice.”

Begbies Traynor acquires Ernest Wilsons & Co Limited 

The professional services consultancy has also announced its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Ernest Wilsons & Co Limited and of Ernest Wilson’s (West Yorkshire) Limited, which trade collectively as Ernest Wilson.

The acquisition increases the group’s existing transactional support services provided by Eddisons, which include the sale of commercial property, through agency and auction, together with machinery and business asset disposals. It is also complementary to the group’s BTG Advisory and corporate finance offerings.

The acquisition aligns with Begdies Traynor’s strategy to develop the group through selective acquisitions to enhance expertise and service offering.

Ric Traynor, Executive Chairman of Begbies Traynor Group plc, said: “Ernest Wilson is highly complementary to our existing services and, by extending our transactional service offering, will enable us to deliver a broader range of services to support business and asset sales.

Ernest Wilson has a long track record of delivering both excellent service to its clients and strong financial performance, which we expect to build upon as part of the broader group.”

Albert Goodman invests in Taunton offices

South-west based chartered accountants, tax consultants and financial planners Albert Goodman has relocated over 150 of its Taunton employees to a larger premises at Goodwood House on Blackbrook Park Avenue in Taunton, with the aim of making a better working environment and to allow for further growth.

Goodwood House offers a modern working environment and represents a long-term investment in the future of Albert Goodman as the firm strengthens its strategic position as a top 50 accountancy firm in the UK.

Richard Bugler, Managing Partner of Albert Goodman, commented: “Whilst we will take long-standing memories of growing the business from Mary Street House, we have outgrown these premises and needed to find a new home that meets our current and future requirements. Goodwood House, fully refurbished to our requirements, is an environment that suits our modern way of working and will provide a fantastic experience for our clients and staff.

“We’re confident Blackbrook Business Park will serve us well as a location and puts us at the centre of the professional services community in Taunton. We look forward to joining other like-minded firms here and continuing our commitment to a town that is a great place to do business.”

Shalchi & Partners UK launch

The independent full-suite financial advisory company Shalchi & Partners has launched in the UK, welcoming a team of qualified professional advisers at its new London headquarters.

The launch of its new office shows it aims to become the most dynamic financial services company in the country.

Hamzah Shalchi, CEO of the privately-owned company, commented: “We are honoured to establish Shalchi & Partners in the UK and determined to offer our clients the very best in financial services. That means combining cutting-edge expertise with traditional values and building long-lasting relationships with clients.”

Watson Buckle launches new ‘super department’

Bradford accountants Watson Buckle have merged two of their existing departments following the firm’s plan to aid in their future expansion.

Under the new department, the Corporate Services Department and Business Services Department will be merged to create the Audit and Accounts Department, which aims to manage the same or similar services as before under one roof.

Selina Armitage, who will be one of the new managers within the department, said: “It’s a really exciting time for our practice and I am delighted to be part of the management team that will be making this merger happen.

“The very nature of our profession is evolving, and it is important that we move with the times to ensure that our clients continue to receive innovate advice and support from our team.”

Joint Managing Director, Susan Sedgwick, added: “Clients should quickly notice further improvements in the services that we offer, which should add additional value to the advice we already provide.”