Two North Staffordshire accountancy firms have announced plans to merge and become one of the UK’s top firms.
Stoke-on-Trent-based Mitten Clarke and DJH, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, will join forces as a combined practice from March 31, and become known as DJH Mitten Clarke.
The enlarged 128-strong workforce will base themselves at Mitten Clarke’s current Festival Park offices, where the DJH team will relocate to following a comprehensive refurbishment.
The DJH Mitten Clarke team will be headed-up by executive directors, Scott Heath and Paul Hulme, who will work alongside fellow board members and directors Gary Chadwick, Michael Burgess and James Beardmore.
Dave Roberts will continue in his role as non-executive director of technology.
Scott said: “The decision was a surprisingly easy one. DJH is a business that shares our core values and, most importantly, a passion for people and the community within which they operate.
“We’re bringing two great firms together to form an experienced and ambitious market-leading team, who’ll provide exceptional business support to our clients.
“Though we will be operating as one company, our clients can rely on the same personal, open and honest working relationships that they’ve come to depend upon. Coming together will allow us to strengthen our infrastructure, develop our specialist services, create greater opportunities and, ultimately, enhance the expert advice we offer to our clients.”
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Paul added: “We’re working hard behind the scenes to make sure the transition is smooth and seamless, so clients will continue to receive the very best service with no disruption whatsoever.
“We are merging much more than two balance sheets and client-bases. Our cultures are very much aligned and the priorities of creating the very best place to work for our team and offering bold and effective advice to our clients, will remain front and centre.”
The merger – which will allow DJH Mitten Clarke to break into the Top 100 UK accountancy practices, in 75th place – will also include the merger of respective sister companies, Wealth Experts and DJH Wealth.
The new financial planning firm will be known as Wealth Experts from DJH Mitten Clark with executive directors, Richard Johnston and Paul Darley, leading the team.