Today’s news in brief – 21/10/2024

Gravita has acquired Oxford-based accountancy firm Critchley’s for an undisclosed sum. With nearly 120 years of experience, Critchley’s serves over 1,000 businesses and 1,500 private clients, particularly excelling in the charity and education sectors. The acquisition is part of Gravita's expansion, backed by private equity firm Tenzing, following its earlier integrations of Davis Grant and Carter Backer Winter. Gravita’s headcount now exceeds 400, with offices in London, Oxford, and Essex. Both firms emphasise investment in people and share a vision of long-term success, furthering Gravita’s presence in the life sciences and emerging tech sectors. Bishop Fleming has promoted nearly 30 staff to senior manager, manager, and assistant manager roles across four service lines, following another year of double-digit revenue growth, reaching £43.1m in 2024. Freya Ronayne was promoted to audit director as part of these advancements. The promotions come alongside the firm winning four prestigious Accounting Excellence Awards, including Large Accounting Firm of the Year and Best Client Service. Head of Audit Joe Scaife credits the promotions and record-breaking apprentice intake for bolstering the firm's continued 23-30% annual growth in its audit practice over the last three years. Quantuma has successfully overseen a pre-pack administration sale of Linbrooke Services, a Sheffield-based specialist engineering firm, securing 140 jobs. The firm entered administration due to economic challenges in the railway construction sector, including delayed projects. Linbrooke’s railway construction business has been rescued and transferred to Keltbray, while its power and optical businesses will close, impacting some employees. Joint administrator Richard Easterby expressed satisfaction in preserving part of the company, focusing on supporting those made redundant. Linbrooke, founded in 2002, had nearly 200 employees before the administration. Dext, a leader in bookkeeping automation, has appointed Grant Picknell as general manager for its UK and Ireland operations. Picknell, formerly with IRIS Software and Sage, brings over 25 years of experience in tech and accounting software. His arrival comes as Dext undergoes rapid commercial growth and global expansion in regions like the Middle East, South Africa, and APAC. Under CEO Sabby Gill, Dext is also unifying its products—Dext Prepare, Precision, and Commerce—into a single platform. Picknell is set to drive growth and innovation, focusing on delivering customer-centric solutions for accountants and bookkeepers.