Haines Watts strengthens North East presence with new Gateshead accountancy partnership

Haines Watts has developed its North East presence having joined forces with Gateshead-based RHK Accountants.

Led by regional managing partner, Donna Bulmer; regional tax partner, Jonathan Scott; and RHK partner Bradley Thomas, the merger will facilitate the retirement of two of RHK’s four partners.

Pushing regional turnover to over £7m and headcount to 75, this latest deal follows several years of sustained organic growth and a recent management buy-out of Haines Watts Leeds in 2018.

Regional managing partner, Donna Bulmer, said: “We are delighted to welcome the team at RHK to the Haines Watts family.

“With a long history of supporting business owners and a wide regional remit, RHK is an established practice whose culture, values and strengths complement our own.

“As a private client specialist, Bradley brings a vast expertise of strategic, structural and personal tax planning which will bolster our tax offering in the region. This merger further cements our position as leading advisors to business owners in the North East.”

The leadership team are reportedly targeting an eight-figure turnover as part of their long-term regional development plan.

RHK’s partner, Bradley Thomas, will also be joining Haines Watts as a tax partner.

He added: “This is an excellent opportunity for clients and staff alike. Our clients will benefit from a greater breadth and depth of services whilst continuing to enjoy the personal approach we offer, and our staff will have access to training and development.

“Our two practices are highly suited, with both placing a strong emphasis on supporting growing owner-managed businesses.

“I’m looking forward to working with the regional leadership team to expand our presence in the North East through our network of business relationships.”

Haines Watts is an advisor to owner-managed businesses in the UK. The Top 15 firm provides business owners with tax, compliance, corporate finance, and strategic business advisory services.

Retiring senior partner, David Hall, concluded: “While this is the end of an era for RHK, we’re confident that our clients remain in good hands. It was vital to us that we found the right firm to best service the needs of our clients and support the aspiration of our team.

“We are happy to be handing over the reins to the leadership team at Haines Watts.”