Accountancy firm opens Tunbridge Wells office

A national accountancy firm has strengthened its presence in the South East with the opening of a new office aimed at supporting growth across West Kent.

Azets has opened the base at Lonsdale Gate in Tunbridge Wells, led by business advisory partner Dean Yorath and private client partner Nicola MacAulay.

The pair bring more than three decades of local experience between them, having both previously worked for a regional accountancy firm in the town.

Dean, who joined Azets in 2023, says the new office will provide a full range of services while drawing on the expertise of hundreds of Azets specialists across Kent, London and the wider South East.

He said: “Tunbridge Wells and its surrounding areas – Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Crowborough and the wider Wealden district – host a robust mix of SMEs across a variety of sectors.

“With around 6500 businesses registered in Tunbridge Wells, which is also home to some large professional firms, we felt this was the ideal opportunity to establish ourselves in the town. 

“Our research shows that most Tunbridge Wells businesses and entrepreneurs prefer financial advisers to be based locally.

“We already service a number of valued West Kent clients from our Maidstone office, and this move will make it more convenient for them to visit us, as well as shortening our response times for onsite meetings and creating more touchpoints with the business community and building relationships.

“There is also no escaping the fact that Tunbridge Wells is at the heart of an affluent area and there is a high demand for personal tax and estate and IHT planning from professionals and business owners.”

Azets, which specialises in advising SMEs, employs around 150 people across Kent as part of a UK network of more than 70 offices.

The firm is also strengthening its links with the local business community as headline sponsor of the Tunbridge Wells Business Show 2026, which takes place at the Assembly Hall on November 5.

The event will bring together businesses for networking, exhibitions and keynote talks.

Eddi Taylor, Azets’ south east regional managing partner, added: “The new Tunbridge Wells office is part of our ambitious growth programme looking at West Kent and into Sussex where we currently don’t have a physical presence.

“I am sure that dropping a Top 10 accountancy firm into the Tunbridge Wells market will generate a good deal of interest and help us to drive business opportunities. 

“The office will strategically complement our existing Kent and London offices.

“We can now offer businesses the chance to work with a global firm with international strength and reach that operates on a personalised localised service basis with a complete understanding of the West Kent market.”

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