MHA MacIntyre Hudson is to grow its regional presence with the merger of its Birmingham office with local accountancy practice, Shoesmiths, based in Edgbaston, boosting the firm's growth potential in the west Midlands
The decision to join forces comes within a year of MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s merger with Bloomer Heaven and is part of its continuing expansion strategy not only in Birmingham but on a national basis with the recent addition of MHA Reid Williams in Reading.
MHA MacIntyre Hudson is ranked 17th in the annual Accountancy Top 75 firms survey, with annual fee income of £44.8m in 2015, and has 560 staff, including 83 partners. The Birmingham merger will bring five staff to the team, while Shoesmith’s partner Elaine Shoesmith becomes a partner at the merger entity when the team relocates to MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s Rutland House offices in Colmore from 1 April.
Shoesmith’s main service lines are audit, accounting, personal and business tax advice, serving clients in a variety of sectors mainly in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
The rationale behind the deal was based on the belief of the parties that the ethos and values of both companies were closely aligned and that the skill base at MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Shoesmiths would strengthen the offer to both sets of clients.
MHA MacIntyre Hudson chairman Rakesh Shaunak explained: ‘Birmingham continues to be an exciting marketplace and we continue to see it as a growth area.
‘Both firms have a similar outlook, are a good cultural fit and we're confident that the firm will continue to deliver services to a high level. This merger will provide access to a wider suite of services for Shoesmith clients and enhanced career and development prospects for all members of the expanding team.
‘This comes three months after the merger with Reid Williams in Reading, and shows our keen desire to grow in key locations.’
Elaine Shoesmith, now a partner of MHA MacIntyre Hudson says: ‘I, together with my staff, am thrilled to have joined such a well-respected professional firm. Clients will continue to receive the same level of high quality, pragmatic advice and support they have in the past but now under the MHA Macintyre Hudson name.
‘From a personal point of view, I am pleased that this development will enable me to continue to support my existing clients but now with the significant benefit of the added infrastructure and specialist services that the larger MHA MacIntyre Hudson group can provide. It is an exciting future for us all.’