S&W, the former accountancy arm of Evelyn Partners, has hit the ground running under new ownership with the Harrogate team already moving to brand new offices
The top six firm has relocated its Harrogate office to larger premises in the centre of the town, based in Copthall Bridge House, a very modern serviced office building, situated less than five minutes’ walk from Harrogate train station.
This follows the finalisation of the private equity backed deal to divest the accountancy and professional services division of Evelyn Partners into a wholly independent, private equity backed entity under the S&W brand. This builds on the old Smith & Williamson name.
Stuart Wright, managing partner of S&W’s Harrogate office said: ‘We are delighted to have moved to a new, larger office in the centre of Harrogate. This announcement builds on our long-standing presence in the town and reflects our commitment to continue investing in the local economy.
‘The move allows us to accommodate more staff in a modern working environment. It also provides a first-class space for our clients to meet with their advisers, and we are looking forward to hosting seminars in the large events space.’
S&W’s new Harrogate premises has meeting and collaboration areas for both clients and staff, and access to a business lounge and large event space for hosting seminars.
The Harrogate team’s specialisms are audit, business tax, business outsourcing, personal tax advice and family office.
The £700m divestment of Evelyn Partners’ accountancy and advisory business was completed on 31 March with the new business led by CEO Andrew Wilkes. The new S&W headquarters office remains at Evelyn Partners’ HQ in Gresham Street in the City of London. It is set to pursue an aggressive buy and build M&A programme with the backing of Apax Partners Fund, particularly to fill gaps in the geographic spread of the business.
S&W is ranked as the sixth largest firm in the Business & Accountancy Daily Top 75 Firms, with fee income of £656.6m, marking growth of 9.3% in the last financial year ending 31 December 2023. The new business has 122 partners, 1,800 staff and has 14 offices across England, including three sites in London and in key cities like Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, and Liverpool, but no presence in Scotland or Northern Ireland as yet.
Pictured (l-r): Stuart Wright, Ryan Harrison, Vanessa Lee and Sophie Garland, S&W
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