Clement Keys merges with rival

Joe Bates, managing partner at Clement Keys, said: "Clement Keys and PKF Cooper Parry are delighted to have joined forces. We have spent a number of years growing our market share and so has PKF Cooper Parry.

"Bringing the two firms together now broadens our services to businesses in our region and strengthens our position in the marketplace."

Combining the two firms together has created the largest independent firm of chartered accountants in the region, said PKF Cooper Parry's chief executive Ade Cheatham.

"We have ambitious plans for growth in the Midlands – and will be looking to quickly expand our Birmingham presence in terms of team numbers and expertise.

"We have immediately strengthened the partner team, with five new partners across audit, tax and corporate finance."

The newly-merged firm is trading as PKF Cooper Parry and has a combined revenue of £30 million and a team of more than 350 people across its two offices in the East and West Midlands.

Ade Cheatham said: "This is an exciting and significant merger for both firms. We share a closely aligned vision to be number one in the privately owned market across the whole of the Midlands through creating a fiercely independent firm which is purely focused on exceptional client service.

"This merger will enhance and complement our offering to clients, bringing sector expertise and extensive international reach along with immense experience across core services under one brand. This exciting development demonstrates that we are ambitious for growth and determined to be seen as the adviser of choice for privately owned business."

The multi award-winning PKF Cooper Parry has been considering making a move on the West Midlands market for some months, added Mr Cheatham.

PKF Cooper Parry is the fastest growing top 100 accountancy and business advisory firm in the UK. The firm is one of five UK firms to join the international PKF network which enables it to provide global capability and expertise to its clients. It has an innovative approach to HR, offering staff unlimited holidays and flexible working hours – as well as recruiting school leavers as well as senior team members.

"Our ultimate aim is to replicate the success of PKF Cooper Parry in the East Midlands in the West Midlands," Mr Cheatham said.

"We will be adding a number of new propositions to the Birmingham office which Clement Keys currently doesn't have – including wealth management, corporate finance, restructuring and IT consultancy.

"Our IT consultancy in the East Midlands has doubled in size over the past 12 months and we will be looking to offer our expert services to businesses in the region.

"While our growth has been steady and organic, we have been looking for some time to move to the West Midlands. We have been seeking a company we could merge with, who shares our ethos and our progressive way of working."