SMH BullockWoodburn unveils Malcolm J Harris merger deal

Matlock based accountancy practice, Malcolm J Harris Ltd, has merged with SMH BullockWoodburn, with the aim of “enabling the firm to offer an increased level of service to its clients” as it becomes part of the wider Yorkshire and Derbyshire based SMH Group. The merger took place on 1 September 2022, and the firm now operates from the SMH BullockWoodburn office on Hardwick Square North in Buxton. Clients of Malcolm J Harris will now benefit from a range of services which includes SMH BullockWoodburn’s personal financial services, such as pension and investment advice, and assistance with wills and probate and inheritance tax planning, and mortgage advice, to businesses and individuals across the High Peak region. Malcolm Harris and his wife, Jill, will be staying on as consultants to ensure the firm’s clients have continuity and to introduce them to members of the team that will be working with them across all the specialist departments within the SMH Group. SMH BullockWoodburn is led by recently appointed partner Ross Jordan, and the addition of Malcolm J Harris Ltd into the SMH Group marks the sixth merger to take place since 2018, and the first to join SMH BullockWoodburn since it joined the SMH Group in 2018. Ross Jordan, partner of SMH BullockWoodburn, said: “The merger is an excellent opportunity for both firms. It provides long term security and more added value services for clients of Malcolm J Harris and allows for further growth of SMH BullockWoodburn within the SMH Group. “Having recently been appointed as a director and partner of SMH BullockWoodburn, I am actively looking to grow the business, and the merger with Malcolm J Harris Ltd is a great place to start. We’d like to offer a warm welcome to all staff and clients into the SMH family.” Malcolm Harris added: “For a smaller company, the burden of increased administration, regulation, and AML, as well as looming tax legislation changes, combined with our retirement plans, has meant that we need a larger partner to continue to provide the excellent level of service we have always prided ourselves on offering to our clients. “SMH Group has the expertise to continue to deliver the highest quality service to our clients, as well as introducing their full-service offering meaning they will be able to access all their financial requirements under one roof. I am confident the merger will be of benefit to all our clients.”