Francis Clark, which ranks 22nd in the Accountancy Top 75 firms, will rebrand to PKF Francis Clark from 1 April 2016 but will continue to operate as an independent firm. This will bring the combined fee income of UK firms in the global PKF International network to £160m.

PKF Francis Clark will remain an independently owned firm within the PKF International network with a continued focus on providing outstanding services to its clients across the South West.

 Andrew Richards, managing partner at PKF Francis Clark said: ‘PKF is a highly respected international network of independent accountancy firms.  With the advances in technology, the world is becoming a smaller place and we are increasingly seeing our clients do business in other parts of the UK and overseas.”   

He continued: ‘We know several of the other PKF member firms and their outlook on client service is very similar to ours.  Working together with these other member firms on a national and international level will enable us to provide better support to our clients both here in the UK and around the world. I am confident that clients needing to use the PKF network on a national or international basis will become aware of an improved service; for those who do not, the only change will be a prefix to our name.’

PKF International CEO John Sim said: ‘They are a very important addition to the PKF UKI practice and we are committed to supporting their clients wherever they may go in the world. All our member firms like PKF Francis Clark share a collective integrity, respect and commitment to exceeding expectations.’

The announcement follows a busy first quarter with the firm announcing a merger with Princecroft Willis at the start of 2016, also taking effect 1 April 2016. The newly merged firm will have a combined revenue of £38m and a team of more than 580 people and 59 partners across eight offices in the South West.