Streets Chartered Accountants, which operates from 19 offices across the UK, has expanded its footprint through a merger.
The group has merged with the Colchester and Mersea island practice of Whittles, launching Streets Whittles Chartered Accountants in the process.
With Streets’ existing offices across the East of England, including Cambridge and Newmarket and further south in Stevenage and London, the transaction is designed to establish a presence in Essex.
Rachel Skells, the lead partner for Whittles, said: “This merger is a great match, both in terms of client focus and cultural fit and we are very much looking forward to working with, and getting to know, our new colleagues.
“Myself and my fellow partners made the decision to merge the firm with Streets because we believe it is in the best interests for all concerned. In terms of size, a three-partner firm has the benefits of a boutique firm but also a number of underlying challenges.
“Now that Whittles is part of a wider thriving practice, we can confidently promise greater continuity of service to our clients and greatly improved career prospects for our team.
“We also believe our clients may potentially benefit in that the combined firm will also be able to offer a wider range of services, including areas of specialist corporate and private client tax planning, international advice and personal financial planning.”
Streets managing partner Paul Tutin added: “Whilst we considered opening a new office in the county, we really wanted to join up with another liked minded firm. We were therefore delighted to enter into a conversation with the Whittles partners, Rachel Skells, Michael Greene and Dan Insley.
“Very early on in our discussion it was clear that we shared by the same vision and values for the profession and for supporting our clients. This certainly made the process of merging much easier, even enjoyable. A great start to our new future together.
“By coming together both Whittles and ourselves will be able to capitalise on our respective expertise and will be better placed to grow and develop to support the needs of both existing and future clients.
“We also feel that the merger brings exciting opportunities for our team members and for new recruits who can join a progressive and expanding practice. With Streets Whittles offices in Colchester and Mersea, we now have 19 offices from Manchester in the north to Brighton in the south.”
Streets Chartered Accountants has 46 partners/directors and employs more than 220 people.
