First Greater Manchester office signals further expansion for Armstrong Watson

Carlisle-based accountants, business and financial advisers, Armstrong Watson, has opened its first office opening in Greater Manchester.

The site, in Cheadle Royal Business Park, close to Manchester Airport, follows the firm’s recent acquisition of ASE Professional Services, the UK audit, accounting and tax compliance arm of ASE Automotive Solutions.

The new office is home to a fast-growing team of 17 which includes recent new hires, along with the existing strong expertise from ASE Professional Services, and has ambitious plans to expand the Manchester team over the coming months.

Steve Preston, audit and assurance director, is head of the new office. Steve joins the firm from BDO, working closely alongside Michelle Malone, head of tax sutomotive, who transfers to Armstrong Watson, leading ASE Professional Services.

Armstrong Watson has an established history throughout the North of England and Scotland, from its origins in Cumbria 155 years ago, to the 18 offices the business now runs covering the North West, Yorkshire, the North East, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, and Glasgow.

This decision to launch in Greater Manchester and to take over ASE Professional services, follows four other acquisitions for Armstrong Watson in the past 18 months, with the firm expanding in Leeds, Hexham, and Carlisle – areas where it is already well established – and strengthens its aim of becoming the ‘go-to’ firm for family and owner-managed businesses in the North of England and Scotland.

Armstrong Watson managing partner and chief executive, Paul Dickson, said: “We look forward to further growing our presence in the North West and expanding across our multifaceted services and specialisms.

“Our unique proposition allows us to be big enough to advise and support businesses of any size across the full remit of accounting services, but also enables us to provide a bespoke advisory relationship often only associated with smaller firms.”