Addleshaw Goddard has over the last 12 months advised Anderson Anderson & Brown (AAB) on two mergers, an acquisition and a significant investment as the tech-enabled business critical services group advances its strategy to become a key UK regional player in the professional services market.

Today's combination with Leeds-based Sagars follows hot on the heels of a major investment in AAB by August Equity to fast track future growth plans, and also the merger earlier in the year with Glasgow-based accountancy firm Hardie Caldwell, and acquisition of Edinburgh-based Purpose HR.

Leeds-based Sagars is led by seven partners and supported by a further 100 other specialists covering tax, accounting, virtual finance, payroll and audit.

The Addleshaw Goddard team advising AAB on all four deals was led by Corporate Partner and Head of Scotland, David Kirchin, and Legal Director, Laura Falls.

David Kirchin said: 

"AAB is enjoying a fantastic period of growth across the Central Belt of Scotland and this latest deal is the next important step in an ambitious strategy to grow the team's footprint and establish the business as a key UK regional player in the accountancy and wider business services market. We are very pleased to be supporting Graeme Allan and his team on their M&A strategy as well as external investment into the business and the momentum they are building."

As well as offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, AAB also has a London office focussed on payroll/global mobility and virtual finance which supports some of the group’s largest UK and international clients. 

AAB’s team of over 450 provide a highly complementary portfolio of business services including audit, accounting, tax, payroll, HR, consulting, wealth and corporate finance.  The group supports a wide range of SME and enterprise clients, with a strong exposure to the energy, technology, business services, public & not for profit, food & drink and property & construction sectors.

August’s investment in AAB will facilitate considerable investment in people, both existing and those who recognise the exciting opportunities being created across the group.  In addition, it will allow AAB to invest further in tech following the doubling of spend in this area during 2021.  It shall also provide significant firepower for AAB to pursue merger & acquisition opportunities (M&A) across the UK.