Today’s news in brief – 02/12/2024

MHA has posted a 32% revenue growth, reaching £99M for the six months ending September 2024. With nearly all offices achieving double-digit growth, revenues are expected to surpass £200M by the financial year's end. Key growth areas include audit, tax, financial services, and technology. MHA has expanded with 416 new hires, 270 promotions, and 214 trainee additions across 23 offices, including new locations in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Its recent merger with Roberts Nathan in Ireland adds 100 jobs over two years. Chairman Rakesh Shaunak highlights MHA's ambitious organic and merger-driven growth strategy for 2025 and beyond. Sovereign Capital Partners has launched Affinia, a new accounting, tax, and business advisory brand, following LB Group’s acquisition of six firms in East and South-East England. Affinia serves over 7,000 clients through 400 staff across nine offices and aims to rank among the UK’s top 50 accounting firms. Its leadership team, led by CEO Darren Redmayne, emphasizes delivering quality service, leveraging technology, and expanding the business. Sovereign partner Alex Hay called Affinia a sector "challenger," poised to create significant value for clients and communities. Redmayne expressed excitement about building a client-focused and innovative firm for future growth. RSM UK has appointed Jarrod Haggerty to lead its forensic and investigation services team. With over 30 years’ experience, Haggerty specializes in analytics and forensic solutions, including bribery investigations, cyber response, and sanctions remediation. Previously Deloitte's global CTO for forensics, he expanded its forensic team from 10 to 300 and spearheaded generative AI initiatives. At RSM, he aims to enhance the firm’s forensic and digital capabilities, supporting clients through regulatory challenges. Haggerty praised RSM’s forward-thinking approach and talented team, while consulting head Kirsty Sandwell highlighted his expertise as pivotal for strengthening RSM’s forensic services offering. Accountancy firm Hurst has advised Tibard Group, a uniform manufacturer, on transitioning to employee ownership through the creation of Tibard EOT Ltd. Founded in 1979, Tibard employs 70 staff and generates £10m in annual revenue. The move allows the Shonfeld family to exit while retaining management’s leadership, ensuring stability and independence. Managing director Ian Mitchell highlighted employee ownership as the best option for security, culture, and shared purpose. The Hurst team, led by Ben Bradley, provided financial guidance, while JMW Solicitors and Ward Hadaway handled legal advice. The transition follows Tibard’s sale of its laundry division earlier this year.