Accountancy firm completes fifth acquisition of 2023
Accountancy firm Cooper Parry (CP) has welcomed financial planning firm, Chamberlyns, to the Cooper Parry Wealth (CPW) team, accelerating the group’s £250m growth ambitions.
The deal is the fifth of its kind for the fast-growing, B Corp Certified accountancy firm this year, following its partnership with Waterland Private Equity in 2022 and plans for five-fold growth by 2025.
In February, CP welcomed ihorizon and Acclivity to its Tech & High Growth team. The two leading London-based, specialist early stage accountancy firms were then followed by Future Perfect in April, as the successful London-based financial planning business joined CPW.
Then, in September, Haines Watts London and its associated audit and advisory businesses joined CP. The transformational deal added 11 offices and 63 partners, taking CP’s headcount to 1,150 and its turnover to £125m as it became the UK’s 11th largest accountancy firm.
Now, the CPW team has strengthened its ranks further with the arrival of Chamberlyns – an independent wealth management boutique and both a Chartered and Accredited Financial Planning Firm, founded in 1997.
The move takes CPW to over £1.3bn assets under management with a headcount of around 70.
Ade Cheatham, Cooper Parry CEO, said: “2023 began quickly and we’re showing no signs of slowing down. As well as being a high-calibre, specialist financial planning firm, the Chamberlyns team have successfully embarked on their own acquisition journey in the past.
“That experience is sure to prove useful as we continue ours, and given the cultural similarities between our businesses, I know the benefits for all parties and our clients will be huge.”
Stephen Jones, Cooper Parry Wealth CEO, added: “Chamberlyns is a business I’ve known and respected for many years since myself and Michael Smith (CEO) first met in a best practice group in March 2010. I’ve watched their progression closely since then and admired their principles of true financial planning and evidence-based investing because our businesses share so much common ground.
“Having met the rest of the Chamberlyns team over the years, I knew they’d be a perfect fit as we continue our deals through 2023 and beyond, positively impacting more lives and building a legacy to be proud of.”
Michael Smith, former Chamberlyns CEO joins CPW as head of M&A and Proposition. He said: “It feels like ideal timing for both businesses. There’s no question to me that Cooper Parry Wealth is one of the leading financial planning and wealth management businesses in the UK.
“And, as part of the wider Cooper Parry Group, it has that infrastructure and multi-disciplinary offering that would benefit Chamberlyns and our clients.
“We’re excited to be joining a business combining pedigree and continuous innovation in the early stages of its acquisition journey, and I’m sure we’ll go from strength to strength.”
Pictured: Stephen Jones and Michael Smith
