DJH has reinforced its commitment to Liverpool’s thriving business community by acquiring a well-respected local practice.

The top 30 UK accountancy firm has acquired SB&P in Bootle, increasing its presence to six offices across the city centre, Ellesmere Port and the Wirral.

Existing clients will receive a seamless transition, with the local leadership team of Wendy McNulty, Rob Young and Suzanne Draper continuing in place and overseeing the introduction of a host of new specialist services, including estate planning, capital allowances, R&D tax credits, corporate finance and technology support.

"We've had a clear ambition to deepen our Liverpool presence for some time,” explained Scott Heath, CEO of DJH.

“Last year’s acquisition of three Haines Watts offices in the North West put a marker in the sand and we’re building on the potential in this region by going even further and bringing SB&P into the family.

"The more we learned about its clients, its team, and the values it has built the business around, the more excited we became about bringing this partnership to life. This is a practice that has earned genuine trust and loyalty in Liverpool, and that's something you can't manufacture. It perfectly complements everything we've already built across the region.”

He continued: "We've found that a city centre office works best when paired with an out-of-town presence - our offices in Chester City with Ellesmere Port, and Manchester with Altrincham are great examples of that in action.

“SB&P's Bootle location, paired with our Liverpool city office, reflects that same approach, and gives us a dominant local presence that we're incredibly proud to be part of.”

This latest deal is the 19th acquisition made by DJH since 2020 and takes its total workforce in the UK and Ireland to nearly 775 people.

Its network of offices boasts a strong concentration across Liverpool, Manchester and the North of England, with growth now being enjoyed in the Midlands and new ‘target’ opportunities emerging in the South.

Backed by private equity specialists Tenzing, DJH’s aim is to deliver national resources and backing, but with a commitment to providing local-led advice, guidance and expertise, going above and beyond compliance to help clients overcome challenges and scale.

Wendy McNulty, Director at SB&P, added: "We've always believed that real relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Joining DJH gives our team and our clients access to a much wider platform, while preserving the personal, advice-led culture we've worked so hard to build. We're excited about what this means for Liverpool."

Scott Heath concluded: “With billions of pounds of regeneration investment flowing into the city, a fast-growing SME sector, and a wave of businesses scaling up on the back of increasing inward investment, demand for high-quality, locally rooted professional advice has never been greater.

“Liverpool and the North West have real momentum, and we want to make sure the businesses driving that momentum have access to the very best advice."