Rotherham accountancy practice Haywood & Co, have merged with Sheffield headquartered Accounting & Business Advisory Sutton McGrath Hartley (SMH) in a deal backed by Allied Irish Bank (GB).
The merger took place on 1st April 2019, with Haywood re-branding as SMH Haywood & Co. Continuing to operate out of their existing offices on Mansfield Road in Rotherham, the firm will be well placed for future growth across the South Yorkshire region by tapping into the full range of business and personal financial services offered by the SMH group.
This is the latest in a series of mergers undertaken by SMH, who added a new Buxton office to their group in 2018, with further acquisitions planned in the near future.
James Hartley, Managing Partner of SMH comments: “We’re delighted to welcome Haywood & Co into the SMH Group. This is a fantastic opportunity for both firms to grow to the next level, enabling SMH to further establish its position in the Rotherham area, and for Haywood & Co to offer their clients an all-round financial service. Clients in Rotherham will now have access to our personal financial services such as pension & investment advice, and assistance with wills & probate and Inheritance tax planning.
“We opened our existing Rotherham office in 2016, initially to focus on our wills & probate services, so this move will allow us to develop our chartered accountancy services to the thriving business community in the town.
“Our long-term plans focus on developing the SMH brand in different towns across the region, so it is very much a case of ‘watch this space’ with regards to further announcements.”
Andy Cocker, Head of Allied Irish Bank (GB)’s Business Centre in South Yorkshire and the East Midlands, added: “SMH is a progressive firm led by a senior team who possess a powerful combination of a strong track record and ambition. The merger with Haywood & Co reinforces SMH’s presence in the market, provides a solid platform for future growth and creates a major force in the region. We’re looking forward to building on our relationship with James, Jonathon and Simon and backing them to achieve their dreams and ambitions.”
Joe Midgley, Managing Partner of Haywood & Co, comments: “Having joined Haywood & Co in 1966, it is the right time to start phasing in my retirement. We’re delighted to join forces with SMH, a local firm that has a similar ethos and client focus to ourselves. They’re the perfect fit to ensure we can take Haywood & Co to the next level.
“It is very much business as usual for us – all the current staff will still be on hand to provide their usual services to our clients, but we now have the resources of a larger firm to ensure we can offer the best all round service for all our clients’ business, personal and family financial requirements.
“Myself, and fellow Partners at Haywood & Co, Paul Hebblethwaite and Andrew Jackson will be continuing as Consultants following the merger, so will be on hand to ensure there is consistency for our clients going forward.”
As a result of the merger the SMH Group now has over 65 employees, and also increases their geographical reach of into North Yorkshire, taking on the Haywood & Co Knaresborough office as part of the deal.
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