Wilkins Kennedy acquires firm to boost regional presence
Top 25 firm merges with Hampshire-based firm CW Fellowes which is also a member of IAPA, the same as Wilkins Kennedy
WILKINS KENNEDY has merged with regional firm Hampshire-based firm CW Fellowes
Both Wilkins Kennedy and CW Fellowes are members of the international network IAPA which will make the merger smoother.
There are two offices in the CW Fellowes portfolio, Southampton and Portsmouth. The latest move will boost Wilkins Kennedy’s office numbers to 15 nationwide.
All nine directors and 70 staff at CW Fellowes are due to join Wilkins Kennedy, bringing the firm ranked 21 in the Accountancy Age Top 50 listing, to more than 500.
CW Fellowes will be rebranded to Wilkins Kennedy early next year.
Kevin Walmsley (pictured), managing partner of the Wilkins Kennedy Western region, said: “We have worked alongside well-respected firm CW Fellowes for a number of years as members of international accountancy organisation IAPA and we are delighted to announce our merger.
“We recognised mutual ideals across both firms, including our views on client focus, staff support and excellent service. Geographically, the merger is also a good fit and strengthens the Wilkins Kennedy presence across the South of England.”
According to the latest Accountancy Age Top50+50 survey, Wilkins Kennedy had a UK fee income of £31.5m which was a 4.1% increase on last year, for the year ended 30 April 2013. It also had 59 partners, and was also a member of ILAS as well as IAPA.
The firm has undergone significant change in the last year. In May 2012 it converted to an Limited Liability Partnership. Also, earlier this year it acquired Southampton-based Matthew Mist which included eight staff and two partners – boosting partner numbers further that month with three further hires.
For more information on the Accountancy Age Top 50+50, please click here.