AAB outlines its commitment to Manchester as it launches new office

UK and Ireland professional services firm AAB has launched a new Manchester office as part of ambitious plans to build a business serving scaling businesses across the North West, while growing to employ over 200 people. 

Launching at the landmark No.1 St Michael’s development, the move represents a significant long-term investment in Manchester and builds on AAB’s existing presence in Bolton, where 70 team members are based. 

The firm, which is backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, plans to establish a full-service offering in the city, combining partner-led relationships with expertise from across its wider UK and Ireland business to support leadership teams as they grow and their needs become more complex. 

Led by Head of the North West, Chris Harland, the team’s expertise covers audit, tax, business advisory, corporate finance, outsourced finance support, payroll, employment and financial planning in the city.  

In audit, the Manchester team includes Gary Harding, Head of Audit, alongside Partners Muhammad Sharif and Alison Cornes and Sarah Frith as Director. Tax Partner Adam Woodward and Business Advisory Partner Dominic Grimes, and Office of the CFO Director Joanne Waddicker will all be based from the Manchester hub. The Manchester team is also supported by Business Development Partner Chris Cook-Martin and Jonathan Readshaw as People and Culture Director. 

Founded in Aberdeen in 1990, AAB has grown to revenues of more than £200m and employs over 1,800 people across the UK, Ireland and US. The firm secured investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives in 2025 to support its continued growth, including investment in talent, technology and further expansion.  

Chris Harland, Head of the North West at AAB, said: “Manchester has one of the UK’s most vibrant business communities, but businesses need advisers who understand where they want to go, not just where they are today. 

“Our ambition is to build long-term relationships with businesses and individuals as they grow and become more complex, combining accessible senior advisers here in Manchester with expertise from across AAB. Strengthening our presence in the Manchester business community is important to us as a firm and we will contribute to the region through building a team that can support the region’s businesses for years to come.” 

Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer at AAB, added: “Manchester is a major long-term investment for AAB. We have ambitious plans to build a 200 strong team, creating high-quality jobs and opportunities for the next generation of advisers in the region. 

“Our existing presence in Bolton has given us strong foundations in the North West, and Manchester is the next stage of that growth. Backed by the investment and ambition of the wider AAB business, we see a significant opportunity to bring our strong local relationships with the breadth of expertise increasingly complex businesses need.” 

AAB closes deal with Kreston Reeves

AAB has confirmed that it has received regulatory approval and its deal with Kreston Reeves has formally closed, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth across the UK and Ireland. 

This development represents an important step in strengthening AAB’s presence in London and the South East, bringing together two firms with highly complementary capabilities, strong regional reputations, and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality advice to clients. 

Together, the combined business now generates revenues in excess of £200 million and has a significant presence across the UK and Ireland, creating a truly national professional services firm with the scale, expertise and regional reach to support clients wherever they operate.

The addition of Kreston Reeves enhances AAB’s ability to serve clients across key markets, combining deep local relationships with broader national scale and sector expertise. It also creates greater opportunities for colleagues across the combined business, supporting long-term career development within a larger, well-invested platform. 

Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer at AAB, said:  “Securing regulatory approval is a significant milestone for both AAB and Kreston Reeves, and a very positive step in our continued growth in London and the South East.  This deal gives us immediate strength in the South East, bringing together two strong businesses with a clear focus on delivering for our clients. Our priority now is ensuring a smooth integration and building on the strong relationships that Kreston Reeves already has in the market, while continuing to invest in the combined team and client offering.” 

Richard Spofforth, Managing Partner at Kreston Reeves, added: “This is an exciting chapter for Kreston Reeves. From the outset, it was clear there was strong alignment between our two firms – in our values, our client focus and our ambition for the future.  Joining AAB gives us the opportunity to build on our established presence in London and the South East, while benefiting from greater scale, broader expertise and continued investment in our people.  We are proud of what we have built as Kreston Reeves and are looking forward to working together to deliver even more for our clients and our teams as part of AAB.” 

AAB and Kreston Reeves will move ahead with integration, ensuring a seamless transition for clients and colleagues. 

This milestone reflects AAB’s continued ambition to build a high-quality, future-focused professional services firm, with strong regional hubs, deep expertise, and a clear commitment to sustainable, long-term growth. AAB now employs over 1,800 people across 25 locations in the UK & Ireland. 

AAB strengthens leadership with senior promotions in Audit & Tax

Professional services firm, AAB, has announced the promotion of three Directors to Partner, effective from 1 July 2026. Natalie Boyle (Glasgow), Graeme Robertson (Aberdeen) and Gregor McCallan (Aberdeen) have each been promoted to Partner as AAB continues to invest in its people and leadership capability to support sustained growth.

The promotions are part of over 70 progressions for team members at AAB and reflect the firms strong commitment to developing talent from within and ensuring clients continue to be supported by experienced, sector-leading advisers.

Natalie Boyle, based in Glasgow, has built a strong reputation for supporting a wide range of organisations to navigate complex financial and operational challenges, further strengthening AAB’s growing presence in Central Scotland. Natalie also leads the not-for-profit sector team at AAB, driven by her passion for advising organisations across this sector.

In Aberdeen, Graeme Robertson has developed a strong track record supporting clients across the energy sector, a sector he has over 30 years of experience in. His depth of sector knowledge and commercial insight position him to advise businesses as they respond to evolving market dynamics and opportunities. In 2025, Graeme was also elected as Chair of the Energy Industry Finance Association (EIFA).

Also based in Aberdeen, Gregor McCallan joined AAB as a graduate and has progressed to Partner through his commitment to supporting clients on a broad range of complex tax matters. His expertise in navigating technical and evolving tax issues has been instrumental in helping clients manage risk, structure effectively and plan for the future.

Chief Executive Emma Lancaster commented: “These promotions are a clear reflection of the strength of our people and the importance we place on developing talent from within AAB. Natalie, Graeme and Gregor have each demonstrated a strong commitment to their clients, their teams and the wider business, and their progression to Partner is fully deserved.

At AAB, having the very best people is central to how we deliver for our clients. By continuing to invest in our people and supporting them to grow their careers with us, we ensure clients benefit from high-quality advice, deep expertise and long-term relationships built on trust.”

These appointments come as AAB continues to scale its operations, focused on enhancing its integrated service offering and delivering long-term value to clients.

AAB’s growth reflects the firm’s continued momentum and its commitment to building a future-fit professional services business. Backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, the firm now employs over 1,500 people across the UK and Ireland.

AAB expands Wales & South West England presence amid growing demand for integrated advisory services

AAB has strengthened its position in the mid-market advisory landscape with the rebrand of GS Verde, following its acquisition in December, as growing demand for integrated professional services continues to reshape the market. 

The move sees the GS Verde business fully transition to the AAB brand, bringing together its established deals and advisory capability with AAB’s broader offering across audit, accounting, tax, wealth management and outsourced services. The business now operates with over 50 employees in the Wales and South West England region. 

The rebrand comes as clients increasingly seek joined-up, multi-disciplinary support across transactions, growth, and succession planning – particularly in the owner-managed and mid-market segments. 

As part of the next phase of growth, Nigel Greenaway has been appointed Head of Region for Wales & South West England. A former GS Verde leader, Nigel will lead the integration of services and drive regional expansion, with a focus on scaling AAB’s client base and capabilities in the region. 

Nigel Greenaway, Head of Region for Wales & South West England at AAB, said: “This rebrand reflects both how far we’ve come and the scale of opportunity ahead. We’re seeing increasing demand from businesses for more integrated advice -particularly around transactions, growth strategy and long-term planning. Bringing the full AAB offering into the region allows us to respond to that demand and support clients in a more comprehensive and joined-up way.” 

AAB expects this broader service offering to be a key driver of growth in the region, supported by continued investment in talent, sector specialisation, and client delivery. 

John Beevers, Head of Regions at AAB, added: “The Wales and South West England region represents a significant growth market for AAB, with strong demand for high-quality, integrated professional services. The rebrand of GS Verde is a key milestone in our strategy to build a leading regional presence. With Nigel’s leadership and the strength of the combined team, we are well positioned to meet growing client demand and scale our offering in the years ahead.” 

The rebrand is effective immediately, with clients continuing to be supported by the same team, now backed by the wider capabilities and national reach of AAB. AAB, backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, now employs over 1,500 people across the UK and Ireland. 

AAB Acquires two Cork-based Accountancy Firms

AAB has acquired two Cork-based accountancy firms, Old Quarter Chartered Accountants and O’Brien Crowley Chartered Accountants. This is AAB’s seventh and eighth investments in Ireland since January 2025, underlining the group’s commitment to continued expansion in the Irish market.

Old Quarter Chartered Accountants employs 26 employees, including partners Mark O’Keefe, Joe Foley and Diarmuid Kelleher . The firms provide audit, tax, business advisory, payroll and company secretarial. Founded in 2022, it operates from offices in Cork and Kerry and has a growing SME client base.

O’Brien Crowley Chartered Accountants, led by partner Killian O’Brien, has been providing professional services to businesses across Ireland since 1985. The firm has employs 13 people and offers a full suite of services including financial reporting, audit, tax, advisory and payroll.

Both firms will relocate to AAB’s new 23,000 sq-ft office space at Barrack Square, Ballincollig, Cork and will in time rebrand as AAB.

Following the completion of these two acquisitions AAB, which is backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, will employ almost 300 people in Ireland and more than 1,500 people across 17 locations.

Colm Duggan, Head of Professional Services at AAB in Ireland, said: “Securing these two deals is a clear signal of our continued momentum in the Irish market. We’re building scale at pace, but importantly, we’re doing it in a way that strengthens the quality of our client relationships and the depth of our expertise. AAB is the partner of choice for Irish accountancy firms looking to grow and to enhance their offering to clients, bringing together the right people, insight and ambition to deliver real value for clients. We will continue to grow across Ireland and the UK both organically and by acquisition.”

Mark O’Keefe, of Old Quarter Chartered Accountants said: “Joining the AAB group allows our exceptional people to maintain the strong client relationships that are our core strength, while providing our clients with access to broader expertise, greater resources and international reach. Importantly for us, our clients will continue to work with the same trusted team they know today.”

Killian O’Brien of O’Brien Crowley Chartered Accountants said: “For over 40 years, O’Brien Crowley has been a trusted provider of professional services to our clients. Joining AAB will allow us to access the technological capabilities and expertise which comes with an international platform, providing opportunities for our clients and our people.”

AAB appoints Jon Grainger Chief Operating Officer

Professional services firm, AAB, has announced the appointment of Jon Grainger as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Jonathon will lead AAB’s technology, operations and integration teams, driving the next phase of operational excellence and enabling the firm to embed end‑to‑end automation capability throughout its business operations.

Jon joins AAB at a time of accelerated innovation across the professional services sector. As technology becomes increasingly central to operational effectiveness, it is now more common for Chief Operating Officers to emerge from technology and transformation backgrounds, reflecting the deepening link between digital capability and operational scale. Jon’s proven leadership in advanced automation and data‑driven transformation positions him strongly to support AAB’s next stage of growth.

An early adopter of advanced business automation, Jon brings extensive experience in professional services, delivering measurable efficiency gains across complex organisations. His leadership will strengthen AAB’s ability to enhance service delivery through intelligent automation while ensuring ethical and regulatory guardrails remain firmly embedded. Central to his approach is a commitment to keeping AAB’s people at the heart of every process, empowering teams with technology rather than replacing the human expertise that defines the firm’s service.

Jon’s appointment also comes as professional services firms navigate increasing industry‑wide challenges, including heightened cybersecurity risk, rapidly evolving regulatory expectations, and the need for responsible, well‑governed deployment of AI and automation technologies. His experience in shaping resilient, secure, and compliant operational models will help ensure AAB continues to meet these expectations while driving innovation.

This appointment follows AAB’s 2025 investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, which has accelerated the group’s growth, expanded capacity, and strengthened its commitment to technology‑led operational transformation.

Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive at AAB, welcomed the appointment:

“As our business continues to grow, strengthening our operational capability is essential to delivering the highest levels of service for our clients. Jon’s leadership supports our Strategy to 2030, particularly our ambition to unlock operational efficiencies that free up more time for our teams to focus on deepening relationships with clients. His approach to responsible automation aligns perfectly with the AAB culture – technology should support our people.”

As part of this transition, Derek Mitchell, who has served as Chief Operating Officer, will move into a newly created strategic role where he will lead key integration initiatives and critical projects across the group. Derek’s deep knowledge of AAB and his operational experience will be instrumental in delivering the firm’s long-term integration roadmap and ensuring the success of major programmes planned for the coming years.

Speaking about his appointment, Jon Grainger added:

“I’m delighted to be joining AAB at such an exciting stage in its growth. There is enormous potential in harnessing automation to create smarter, more agile operations – provided we do so responsibly and with people firmly at the centre. I look forward to working with our teams to build scalable, secure and efficient processes that enhance both our client service and the working experience of our colleagues.”

Jon’s appointment underscores AAB’s continued investment in technology, integration and future‑focused operational capability as the business delivers on its ambitious long-term strategy.

AAB’s rapid growth journey across the UK and Ireland is set to continue with backing from Goldman Sachs Alternatives

AAB Launches “Office of the CFO” Service to Support Growing Businesses with Flexible Finance Leadership

In response to the increasingly complex trading environment for businesses, professional services firm, AAB, has launched a new ‘Office of the CFO’ service designed to give organisations the ability to strengthen their finance leadership and gain clarity in their numbers without the difficulties of recruitment of finance professionals at all levels.

Businesses across the UK are facing more challenges than ever before – from inflationary pressures and rising costs to increasingly complex reporting requirements. For many organisations, these pressures are stretching finance teams and make reliable financial insight more critical than ever.

The new offering provides flexible finance leadership and specialist accounting expertise to businesses experiencing growth, navigating complex group or funding reporting requirements or preparing for major transactions. The AAB Office of the CFO team includes senior expertise in operational finance, forecasting, technical accounting, statutory reporting, finance transformation, cash flow modelling and transaction accounting.

The service combines operational finance support, technical accounting expertise and strategic CFO-level leadership, allowing organisations to strengthen their finance functions and gain clearer financial insight at critical stages of their development.

Lauren McCluskey, Head of Office of the CFO and Partner at AAB, commented: “Businesses are operating in an environment where they are expected to be able to adapt and change at pace. Cost control remains a priority with CFOs expected to make decisions quickly and decisively whilst navigating the technology changes alongside the day to day operations.

Many finance teams are resource constrained with CFOs and CEOs personally sponsoring both technology and transformation projects. The Office of the CFO is able to support the day to day operations and senior team freeing up valuable time.”

The Office of the CFO service is designed to support organisations at every stage of growth, including entrepreneurs, SMEs, AIM-listed companies, multinational groups and public sector organisations.

By integrating with existing finance teams or providing additional capability where needed, the service enables organisations to strengthen reporting, improve financial visibility and respond more effectively to growth or change.

The service is particularly valuable for organisations facing increased regulatory scrutiny, complex accounting requirements, or major transactions such as acquisitions, fundraising or market listings.

AAB’s rapid growth journey across the UK and Ireland is set to continue with backing from Goldman Sachs Alternatives.

AAB marks the New Year with appointment of two new partners

AAB is thrilled to announce the appointment of two longstanding team members, Brian Dunne and Ruairí Power, to the firm. Both Brian and Ruairí have extensive expertise in Audit and client management, and together with their fellow partners, will share responsibility for leading the Audit Department.

The Journey from Graduate to Partners

Brian and Ruairí joined Ormsby & Rhodes – acquired by AAB in January 2025 – as graduates, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to nurturing talent through mentorship, training, and development. Brian Dunne, with a wealth of experience in Audit and Corporate Restructuring, developed through exceptionally managing client relationships across various sectors, assumes his role with a focus on delivering outstanding customer service and overseeing a diverse client portfolio. Ruairí Power, specialising in Audit and Corporate Advisory, has demonstrated outstanding expertise throughout his time at AAB, supporting group structures and businesses of various sizes. Ruairí embraces this new role with a commitment to client growth and continued talent development within the team, through sharing technical and regulatory knowledge, a passion they both embrace.

Managing partner celebrates pivotal moment

David Marsh, Managing Partner at AAB, celebrated by saying:

“We are delighted to welcome Brian and Ruairí as Partners, marking a pivotal moment in their professional careers. Their journey from the graduate programme to undertaking shared leadership of the audit department is a testament to their commitment to AAB and our clients. It also demonstrates our investment in fostering talent, something I feel hugely passionate about. The firm continues to thrive, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team and the trust our clients place in us. Congratulations to Ruairi and Brian on this fantastic achievement!”

AAB anticipates that these appointments will further strengthen its position in the industry, enabling the firm to provide continued standards of excellence and sustained value to clients as they navigate the evolving business landscape. Our established partnership with BKR International continues to add value to our clients as they expand internationally.

Here to help

Reach out to Brian Dunne and Ruairí Power – or your usual AAB contact – to find out more about the audit support we provide.

AAB Irish expansion amid FM Accountants and LSMQ investments

AAB has further expanded its Irish footprint with strategic investments in FM Accountants and LSMQ, two established and fast-growing accountancy firms based in Dublin and in Carlow respectively.

The transactions form part of AAB’s continued build-out of its professional-services platform in Ireland following its investment in Ormsby & Rhodes and Ryan & Crowley in 2025. Both Ormsby & Rhodes and Ryan & Crowley rebrand as AAB on Monday 2^nd March. More recently, AAB invested in the Cork-based firm O’Connor Pyne.

The latest deals bring AAB’s annual revenue in Ireland to more than €25m and its headcount to over 250. AAB, which is backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, employs more than 1,800 people worldwide across 23 locations.

Colm Duggan, formerly a partner in Ormsby & Rhodes and now Head of Professional Services at AAB in Ireland, said:

“These investments reflect our ambition to build a genuinely partner-led, full-service professional advisory firm in Ireland. FM Accountants and LSMQ are high-quality practices with strong leadership teams and complementary expertise. Our focus is on supporting ambitious firms to scale, broaden their service offering and create long-term value for their clients and their people.

“There is significant opportunity in the Irish market for firms that want to retain their identity and leadership while benefiting from shared infrastructure, investment and international reach. Our approach is collaborative and long-term, and we are continuing to engage with like-minded practices across the country.”

Founded by Padraic Lalor and John O’Shea in 2003 LSMQ was the first Irish accountancy firm in Ireland to offer online accounting to its clients and has built a strong reputation in audit, tax and technology-enabled advisory services. The firm has 35 employees, including four partners: John O’Shea, Padraic Lalor, Nuala Kenny and Gareth Keogh.

FM Accountants, founded over 20 years ago by Cormac Mohan, a former senior executive with Microsoft and Coca-Cola and a past President of CPA Ireland, employs 16 people. The firm has particular strength in inward investment, business advisory and corporate restructuring through Fitzwilliam Corporate Services.

Separately, Garrett McCarthy and his team at Hugh McCarthy & Associates in Dublin are also joining AAB. Garrett McCarthy, as well as the partners in LSMQ and FM Accountants, will each become partners in AAB.

Cormac Mohan of FM Accountants said:

“We were clear that any next step for our firm had to protect our culture and our client relationships while giving us greater scale and depth. AAB offers exactly that combination, local leadership, broader capability and the backing to invest for growth.”

John O’Shea of LSMQ said:

“Our priority has always been to deliver high-quality, forward-thinking services to our clients. Joining AAB allows us to maintain that focus while gaining the benefits of shared knowledge, specialisms and experiences.”

AAB acquires RORA to strengthen start-up support

Leading professional services firm, AAB, has today announced the acquisition of RORA, a specialist finance support business focused on start-ups and scale-ups.

London-based RORA provides fractional finance leadership to early-stage and high-growth businesses, operating as their dedicated finance team or as specialist support to existing in-house finance functions. The acquisition further strengthens AAB’s capability to support ambitious businesses in the critical early stages of their growth journey.

The move reflects AAB’s continued investment in high-growth, high-impact service lines that align with the evolving needs of entrepreneurial and scaling businesses across the UK.

Lauren McCluskey, Head of Virtual Finance Function at AAB, said: “This is an exciting acquisition for AAB and one that reflects where we see strong, long-term demand. Supporting businesses at the start-up and scale-up stage is about providing the right financial insight, structure and leadership at a point where it can genuinely accelerate growth.

RORA operates in a space that is vital to the success of fast-growing businesses, and it mirrors AAB’s own journey as a business that continues to scale at pace. By bringing this specialist capability into AAB, we can offer even more hands-on, commercially focused support to businesses at this crucial stage in their development.”

Dan Hully and Sam Wilkinson, Co-founders at RORA added: “Joining AAB is a natural next step for RORA. We’ve built our business around supporting founders and leadership teams at moments of rapid change and opportunity, and AAB shares that same growth mindset.

Becoming part of a larger firm gives our clients access to broader expertise while allowing us to continue delivering the hands-on, flexible finance support that start-ups and scale-ups need to move quickly and confidently. We’re excited about what this means for our team and for the businesses we support.”

The RORA team will join AAB with immediate effect and clients will benefit from enhanced access to AAB’s wider expertise while retaining the specialist, flexible finance support that RORA is known for.

The acquisition is part of AAB’s strategic expansion plan, with further acquisitions already under discussion to strengthen its regional and national footprint. AAB now employs over 1,800 people across 23 locations in the UK and Ireland.