Azets, the international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group, has acquired Naylor Wintersgill, the £4m+ independent firm of chartered accountants, business and tax advisors in the UK.
The acquisition is Azets’ eleventh in 12 months, as the group continues to accelerate a multi-year M&A strategy to underpin its continued growth, targeting significant purchases aimed at consolidating Azets’ position as the advisor of choice for SMEs and owner-managed businesses across Europe.
Naylor Wintersgill, which will rebrand as Azets with immediate effect, delivers accounting, audit, corporate finance, tax, payroll, and HR advisory services to SMEs, private clients, and not-for-profit organisations across the Yorkshire region.
The acquisition sees Azets expand its regional presence and deepen its advisory expertise, adding two offices to its UK network which now totals 90.
Naylor Wintersgill has been based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, for more than a century.
Naylor Wintersgill’s clients will benefit from access to further specialist expertise and a greater breadth of services, both in the UK and internationally, as well as Azets’ investment in technology, with digital platforms including Azets Cozone delivering an advisory-rich service, focusing on helping SMEs ensure compliance, grow their business, and provide tools and information to enable real-time advice.
Acquiring Naylor Wintersgill adds 67 people into the Azets team, including eight Partners.
Managing Director Victoria Wainwright, who started her accountancy career as Naylor Wintersgill’s first apprentice in 1991, will continue to lead the team as Office Managing Partner. She said:
“The team at Naylor Wintersgill are thrilled to be joining Azets. This is a brilliant opportunity to strengthen our services offering to SMEs and owner-managed businesses in Yorkshire. It is also an opportunity for our team to be part of a much larger ecosystem, creating even more value for our clients.”
“We will continue to build on the achievements of Naylor Wintersgill, delivering the same high-quality level of service, with the advantage of being able to offer more specialist advice and be part of a growing group that offers new and exciting opportunities for our clients and our people.
“It was clear from the start that Azets’ culture and values align closely with our own, and we are confident that that this acquisition is the perfect fit for our future growth.”
Chris Horne, Azets Group CEO, said:
“I’d like to offer a warm welcome to our new colleagues and clients from Naylor Wintersgill as we embark on this exciting journey together. This acquisition offers a platform for Azets to keep building its regional presence in Yorkshire and leverage shared skills in support of our SME clients.
“Like Azets, Victoria and her team have a strong reputation for delivering a full range of quality professional services and support to clients through a collaborative relationship built on trust and confidence.”
Peter Gallanagh, Regional CEO for Azets’ UK North region, said:
“This acquisition is a wonderful opportunity to expand Azets’ geographical presence in Bradford and enhance our specialist offering to SME clients right across the Yorkshire region. We are delighted to be working with Victoria and her team.”
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About Azets
Azets is an international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Our 7,600 smart talented people support over 100,000 clients through our network of 189 offices in the Nordics, UK, and Ireland.
We provide trusted advice and personalised client services across accounting, tax, audit, advisory, people, and technology, saving companies and business owners precious time, so they can focus on achieving their ambitions.
We exist to improve the lives of our colleagues, clients, and communities, in a sustainable way. And everything we do is underpinned by our investments in people and technology.
Our proprietary digital workplace technology, Azets Cozone, is a unique cloud-based portal giving SMEs instant access to information about their business that simplifies workflows, increases operational productivity, and supports a more productive client relationship.
Blick Rothenberg, London’s award-winning international corporate and private tax and accounting brand, and Nordic-based companies Karabingruppen, Legeregnskap, Luotsi Isännöinti, and Idur are all a part of Azets.
Azets is a member of Allinial Global, the member-based association dedicated to the success of independent accounting and consulting firms.
Media contact
Shaun Staff, Group Head of External Communications
+44 (0)7515 789 306