The existing board of MHA will remain in place and will be joined by Graham Gordon, managing partner at MHA Moore and Smalley. Rakesh Shaunak will continue to operate as managing partner and chairman.

The merged firm has 1,745 people in 22 offices with 122 partners, with fee income of £140m and is ranked 14th in the Top 75 Firms survey.

MHA Moore and Smalley has over 400 staff with offices in Preston, Liverpool, Manchester, Blackpool, Kendal, Lancaster and Nottingham. The firm had annual turnover of £27m for year end March 2023, with profit of £8.6m, and would be ranked in the top 40 UK firms in its own right.

MHA described the deal as a ‘pivotal transaction which singularly surpasses the combined value of the firm’s previous deals’.

Rakesh Shaunak, managing partner and chairman of MHA, said: ‘We are incredibly pleased to complete what is a significant deal for MHA, allowing us to further strengthen our technical and geographical offering in the UK.

‘Both firms have grown significantly in the last 12 years and MHA’s synergy with MHA Moore and Smalley has been an exceptional showcase of the alignment of ethos and values within our firms.

‘Now, with access to our combined sector expertise and expanded scope of service, our clients and our people are set to benefit immensely from enhanced opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.’

Graham Gordon, managing partner at MHA Moore and Smalley, said: ‘This merger represents the natural next step for us, having worked closely together since 2010 and being branded as MHA Moore and Smalley since 2017.

‘We are excited about the opportunities that our joint approach presents for our people, our clients, and stakeholders alike, and anticipate continued success going forward.’

This is the fourth deal that MHA, the UK member of Baker Tilly International, has completed in the past year, further solidifying its position in the mid market.

Since July 2023, MHA has acquired three firms, strengthening their presence in Scotland with the acquisitions of Geoghegans, Edinburgh and Meston Reid & Co, Aberdeen, and in Wales, Cardiff based Watts Gregory Group.

Pictured [l-r]: Rakesh Shaunak, Graham Gordon