Haines Watts Western joins forces with tech-enabled Gravita
Gravita, the tech-enabled accountancy firm for small and medium sized ambitious businesses, has joined forces with Haines Watts Western. The partnership unites the two firms, with a shared focus on close client relationships and a culture that attracts and retains top talent.
From today, Haines Watts’ Bristol and Exeter offices will join Gravita, adding to its established office presence across London, Oxford and Essex. The partnership will further enable the team in the South West to offer best-in-class accountancy services – supported by innovative technology – to its long-term client base across sectors including tech, property, renewable energy, legal services and charitable organisations.
Under the leadership of Matt Bracher, the Bristol and Exeter offices have enjoyed considerable growth, supporting around 2,500 local individuals and businesses across the South West region with their 95-strong team of talented professionals. By joining Gravita, the team can offer highly complex, group, and listed audit services and other specialist tax services, such as VAT advisory, cross-border transactional advice, and wealth structuring.
South West England has become one of the most vibrant regional economies in the UK, bolstered by the diverse range of educational institutions in Bristol, Bath and Exeter. Reports estimate that the region is likely to grow by 1.4% per year between 2024 and 2029, outstripping growth from other parts of the UK. Bristol’s tech sector, in particular, is one of the fastest-growing in the UK, and both the Bristol and Exeter offices have a strong stable of clients in this industry, which have supported the firm’s impressive growth.
This latest partnership is the seventh transaction since 2022, bringing Gravita’s headcount to over 500 FTE. Osborne Clarke – a law firm specialising in the tech, energy and life sciences sectors – advised on this latest deal.
Caroline Plumb OBE, CEO at Gravita, said: “The South West is home to some of the UK’s most entrepreneurial businesses. From the beginning, it has been clear that Haines Watts Western – led by Matt Bracher – sits at the heart of that ecosystem. We’re incredibly excited to support the ongoing growth of this highly talented team and its clients across the region.
Gravita is perfectly aligned with Matt, and the wider team in a shared focus on building long-term client relationships, supporting exceptional teams, and harnessing a technology culture to improve client service. We wish the whole team a warm welcome to Gravita, and we’re thrilled that they will be part of our exciting journey as we re-imagine a new era of accounting services which prioritises our clients’ success, not just for today but also tomorrow.”
Maria Tozzi Spadoni, investment team at Tenzing said: “This acquisition expands Gravita’s footprint, adding a great new location from which to serve SMEs. We are excited to support Matt and his team to continue their growth journey.”
Matt Bracher said: “When the opportunity with Gravita arose, it was an easy decision for us. Gravita offers a fresh approach, enabled by technology but with its people at the core. Accountancy firms need to stay ahead of the market as the industry transforms, and in Gravita we have found a partner who shares our vision. For our clients and team, it is business as usual. This collaboration will complement the work we are already doing and help us to adapt to the future as the industry evolves at pace.”