CREATING THE NEXT GEN ACCOUNTANCY FIRM

We’re thrilled to announce that CP is coming together with Haines Watts London and its associated audit and advisory businesses. Supporting our ambition to be the UK’s undisputed #1 adviser to mid-market businesses. 

The deal opens up 11 new offices for CP across London, the South, Birmingham and the Midlands. Increases our workforce to 1,150. And propels our turnover to £125m. A tripling in size over the past 12 months since CP partnered with Waterland Private Equity.  

There’s a strong synergy between CP and Haines Watts. Complementary cultures, talented and knowledgeable teams, a tech-enabled approach and an enhanced client proposition.  

This transformational Haines Watts deal, along with those with London-based companies iHorizon and Acclivity (both in February) and Future Perfect in April 2023 will establish CP as the UK’s 11th largest accountancy firms*.  

Ade Cheatham, Cooper Parry CEO, states:  

“We’re always looking for firms that are a right fit, culturally and strategically. As a result, we’ve got to know Michael and his management team over the best part of five years.  

In that time, we’ve been impressed by their growth and recognize the like-minded nature of both firms. Working alongside them, this deal underlines our determination to create the UK’s next gen accountancy firm.  

“Bringing together two great businesses as one strong team takes our London headcount to over 500 people. It also elevates us to the next level as a UK mid-market heavyweight. In addition, the strong bank of specialist talents and diverse client base in London, the South and right across the Midlands will allow us to continue to outperform the market.  

We now have genuine momentum and can demonstrate real strength and scale in London. What’s more with more strategic hires, specialist team lifts and continued geographic expansion via M&A, we’ve created a platform for future growth.” 

Michael Davidson, Haines Watts Managing Partner, adds:  

“I am extremely proud of the growth we have achieved over the past 10 years, of which the London region has been a significant contributor.  

“As we look to the future, we feel Cooper Parry are an ideal fit for our future as we can plug into their progressive, next generation and proven approach to both people development and client service, offering a compelling choice for ambitious owner managed businesses, and a thriving culture for our people. 

“This is an exciting and rare opportunity to drive quality and change in the mid-market, as we look to further the Cooper Parry brand in London and the surrounding areas.” 

Backed by Waterland Private Equity since December 2022, Cooper Parry’s recent four deals in six months underpin its commitment to fast-paced UK expansion to drive five-fold growth to a turnover of £250m by 2025. This latest deal is due to complete at the end of 2023.  You can read our 3 year vision here and learn more about CP’s evolution through our Rebel’s tale.

*Based on Accountancy Age, Top 50+50 Accountancy Firms 2022, excluding networks.