Sedulo doubles workforce with acquisition of Leeds accountancy firm

Bartfields, the Leeds-based accountancy firm, has been acquired by Sedulo.

Sedulo, based in Manchester with 60 members of staff, will now employ around 100 professionals across financial disciplines including accountancy, tax, corporate finance, debt funding and wealth management.

Bartfields was founded in 1927 by brothers Isaac and Sam Bartfield. Now, under the stewardship of directors Gavin Bell, Raymond Davidson and David Miller, the firm boasts around 35 staff and 1100 clients with revenues in excess of £2m.

The acquisition brings another new service to the Sedulo offering, with the introduction of Bartfields’ forensic accounting department.

As part of Sedulo’s takeover, Bartfields will return to the centre of Leeds based at St. Pauls House on Park Square.

This new premises is set to undergo a transformation with a Great Gatsby themed bar and meeting suites named after founders Isaac and Sam Bartfield, along with entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates, John Cadbury and Fred Perry.

As in Manchester, this space will be provided to clients and business partners of the firm as a co-working space with a number of events already planned in.

Paul Cheetham, managing director at Sedulo, said: “The shareholder team here are delighted to announce this acquisition and Sedulo’s progression into Leeds.

“Our relationship with the current partners and management team at Bartfields has set off like a house on fire and we have secured ourselves a firm with solid accountancy foundations for us to add our further portfolio of services across Corporate Finance, funding and wealth management.”

In a statement issued by Bartfields directors Gavin Bell, Raymond Davidson and David Miller, they said: “Bartfield’s are absolutely delighted to be teaming up with Sedulo.

“This will bring together two firms, one with a 90-year history and one which is highly innovative, both with the same core values of excellent client service and integrity, to create an exciting alternative to other accounting firms.”