Scots firm bags Kidsons' Aberdeen office
Johnston Carmichael, one of Scotland's largest independent firms, has agreed terms to buy the Aberdeen office of HLB Kidsons.
The acquisition comes after Kidsons agreed to merge with Baker Tilly last month forming the eighth largest firm in the country with fee income of around £150m.
Johnston Carmichael, the firm of former ICAS president Grenville Johnston, will grow to 21 partners and a staff of 217 as a result of the deal.
Patrick Machray, Johnston Carmichael chief executive, said: ‘The acquisitionof HLB Kidsons’ Aberdeen practice is an important leap forward in our growthstrategy, and will substantially increase our presence in the North east.
‘We are gaining an excellent client portfolio and talented people. As well ascomplementing our niche in the fishing sector and adding to our corporatecapability, we are also increasing our expertise in specialist tax andcorporate recovery to expand the range of services on offer.’
The Johnston deal with Kidsons had been underway before the firm decided to merge with Baker Tilly but was put on hold until final arrangement had been made.P>The merger, which takes effect from 1 April, will see Kidsons shed its old name and take on the Baker Tilly brand.