Midlands accountancy powerhouse created by merger

Two prominent accountancy firms in the Midlands have merged to create a new firm that is likely to have a significant impact on the region.

The move, which was first announced in November, has now been completed and sees the merging of PKF Cooper Parry with historic Birmingham accountancy firm Clement Keys.

£30m turnover

The new group will have a turnover of £30m as well as a 350-strong workforce that covers both the East and West Midlands.

PKF was known to have been looking at ways to expand into the West Midlands for sometime before the deal was announced.

Chief executive at PKF Cooper Parry, Ade Cheatham, called the merger "exciting and significant" for both firms.

"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," Cheatham explained.

125-year history

Based in Edgbaston and with a history stretching back 125 years, Clement Keys has a well-deserved reputation in the region.

Partner Ross Cocker said: "Cooper Parry have a large corporate finance and restructuring team, as well as a wealth management team, which we don’t have in Birmingham. It gives a lot more diversity."

Cheatham explained that the merger would be complimentary because the Birmingham office would now benefit from services such as wealth management, corporate finance, restructuring and IT consultancy, which Clement Keys doesn’t currently offer.

The new combined business will trade under the branding of PKF Cooper Parry.