Cooper Parry enters NI market with CavanaghKelly takeover

Cooper Parry has acquired CavanaghKelly in a move that marks the accountancy group’s entry into the Northern Irish market.

The deal is Cooper Parry’s 15th acquisition in just over two years and its third since partnering with New York-based Lee Equity Partners in December 2024.

CavanaghKelly, based in Northern Ireland, has a team of more than 100 staff and seven partners. The firm has operated for 25 years as a multi-service accountancy and business advisory practice.

Des Kelly, founding partner of CavanaghKelly, said: “In selecting the right partner for the next phase of our growth journey, we went through a thorough evaluation of our options. Immediately, Cooper Parry stood out, creating an incredibly strong first impression.

“Our alignment on values, vision and ambition couldn’t be stronger. The deeper our discussions became, the clearer it was that CP’s bold vision for service lines, tech, outsourcing and delivery models aligned perfectly with ours – challenging the norm, thinking differently, and delivering quality service through quality people. We cannot wait to be part of this.”

Ade Cheatham, chief executive of Cooper Parry, added: “CavanaghKelly gives us more than a footprint – it gives us a foundation. Their values, their people, and the trust they’ve built in Northern Ireland make this a perfect fit.

“Together, we’ve got the chance to build something bold across the island – with roots, rhythm, and real ambition. It’s another big step in making CP the standout challenger firm across the UK and Ireland.”