Accountancy practice merges with expanding financial services group
Leeds-based accountancy practice, BCL Accountants Ltd, has merged into the SMH Group, allowing the firm to offer an increased level of service to its clients backed by the strength of the Yorkshire and Derbyshire-based group.
The merger took place on 1 November 2022, with the firm continuing to operate from its office on Pavilion Business Park in Leeds.
The new company, called SMH BCL Accountants Ltd, sees existing managing director, Chris Nunn start a phased retirement over the next three years, with current co-director, Stacey Pocklington stepping up into the partner role.
James Hartley and Jonathon Dickens, who lead all operations within the SMH group also join as directors.
The SMH Group offers a full range of business and personal financial services, including accountancy, financial advice, commercial finance, wills & probate, and mortgage advice, to businesses and individuals across region.
Nunn said: “Having joined BCL Accountants Limited in 1993, and becoming managing director in 2002, it is the right time to start phasing in my retirement.
“SMH Group is a regional firm that has a similar ethos and client focus to ourselves. They’re the perfect fit to ensure we can take BCL Accountants to the next level.
“It is very much business as usual for us – all the current staff will still be on hand, but we now have the resources of a larger firm to ensure we can offer the best all round service.
“Myself, and fellow director at BCL Accountants Limited, Stacey Pocklington will be continuing, so will be on hand to ensure there is consistency for our clients going forward.”
Dickens added: “This latest merger into the SMH Group is an excellent opportunity for both firms – it provides long term security and more added value services for clients of BCL Accountants and allows us to expand the SMH Group into a new area in Leeds, which has been a long-term objective of ours.
“Our thanks go to CMP Legal and Mason Thomas Law, who advised on all the legal aspects of the deal. We would like to offer a warm welcome to Chris, Stacey and all staff and clients into the SMH family.”
BCL Accountants provides accountancy services to a range of businesses, in particular the licensed trade, engineering and building trades.
The addition of BCL Accountants Ltd into the SMH Group is the sixth merger to take place since 2018, and the second in quick succession with Matlock-based Malcom J Harris Ltd joining the group in September 2022.
