Shipleys joins the growing Moore Kingston Smith team
Moore Kingston Smith LLP, a leading multi-disciplinary advisory, tax and audit firm, announces that Shipleys LLP has joined its team.
As Moore Kingston Smith advances its growth strategy to expand its suite of professional services for clients, this merger introduces a new dimension to its Media team with Shipleys’ specialism in film, TV and animation tax credits.
Additionally, it enhances Moore Kingston Smith’s Financial Sector offering through Shipleys’ dedicated Funds team, as well as enabling its Fintech team to provide safeguarding audits to payment services firms and e-money businesses.
A medium-sized firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, Shipleys specialises in niche markets, including media and financial services, and supports owner-managed businesses in a wide range of sectors as well as private individuals. With offices in London and Godalming, their 19 partners and over 150 people join Moore Kingston Smith’s 80 partners and 1,000 people, marking the latter’s largest merger to date.
The firms are well-aligned, reflecting each other in the services they offer and sectors they serve, with both recognised as leading brands in media, financial services and nonprofit.
Shipleys’ clients will benefit from a broader pool of expertise and an expanded range of solutions such as HR consultancy, employer services and legal offerings. These are all backed by the strength of a growing business with robust systems and operational teams, as well as greater career opportunities for its people.
The merger also provides Shipleys’ teams and clients further reach in tax and advisory, nationally and internationally, through leading accountancy network Moore Global.
With Shipleys’ Godalming office in addition to Moore Kingston Smith’s Redhill location, the merger strengthens both firms’ Surrey presence.
Matt Meadows, managing partner of Moore Kingston Smith comments: “We’re really excited that Shipleys has joined us and to welcome another respected business that fits so well with who we are as a firm. Through this partnership, we’re both able to grow our teams with more talented people, enhancing the quality work we do for our clients, while broadening our solutions.”
Steve Foster, managing principal of Shipleys said: “Like Shipleys, Moore Kingston Smith has strong foundations. It mirrors our culture and ethos with a passion for high-quality client service and creating an enjoyable and supportive working environment. We are delighted to join their team and look forward to merging our strengths, solutions and sector knowledge to expand our client services and support. Above all, we will continue to help our clients and people thrive.”
Moore Kingston Smith is the first UK accountancy firm to receive PE investment to fund its M&A programme while keeping its coveted partnership status. Following the acquisition of hospitality specialist, WMT, in June and Moore Northern Ireland in August, Shipleys is the latest to join the growing firm.
