Following on from one of our previous blog posts about the history of SMH Sheards, we are now taking a look at the history of another one of our practices, SMH BullockWoodburn.
The Early Days
SMH BullockWoodburn has a long and proud history, beginning in 1882 when Herman Moller first opened his practice as a Chartered Accountant in Manchester. The firm grew quickly, and in 1913, Mr Snape joined as a partner, marking the start of Moller Snape & Co. in 1915.
During the years between the world wars, the firm continued to expand, opening offices in Macclesfield and Crewe. After the Second World War, new offices were opened in Buxton and Oldham, further extending the firm’s reach and services.
A New Chapter
A major turning point came in 1972, when the Manchester office absorbed the North West operations of Josolyne Layton-Bennett & Co., a prominent firm from London. This move led to the adoption of the Josolyne Layton-Bennett & Co. name in 1976. By 1981, the firm underwent another transformation, merging with a larger international company, though the Macclesfield and Buxton offices continued as Josolyne & Co.
In 1989, Mr Bullock retired from the partnership at Josolyne & Co. and purchased the Buxton office, establishing his own practice under the name John Bullock & Co. The firm flourished under his leadership, and in 2000, Mrs Karen Woodburn took over, renaming the practice BullockWoodburn.
Merger with SMH Group
In 2018, the firm entered a new chapter by merging with the SMH Group and rebranding as SMH BullockWoodburn. At the time, this was the first ever merger for SMH Group so marked an exciting time.
This merger allowed the firm to maintain its longstanding commitment to personalised client service while offering a broader range of business and financial services through the SMH Group such as pension & investment advice, and assistance with Wills & Probate and Inheritance tax planning.
We hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about the history of SMH BullockWoodburn. If you would like any more information, please contact us on 01298 22108 or email info@smh.group.
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