MHA targets further Wales growth as it marks first three years

Three years after establishing its first office in Wales, MHA has announced fresh plans for growth across the country. Partner Sarah Curzon said the move reflects the firm’s commitment to “Wales-based specialists” who are “deeply embedded within our national service and sector teams.”

Curzon added, “This has meant our colleagues are constantly at the sharp end of changing regulation, sector knowledge and best practice and can tap into further national and international expertise. Having access to genuine specialists is something our clients value enormously, especially those that need high level support in areas like complex tax planning, cross border trade, and regulated sectors. It has created a point of difference for us in the Wales market and is something that will help us continue supporting our ambitious clients to realise their goals.”

MHA first established a presence in Wales following a merger with Swansea-based firm Gerald Thomas at the beginning of 2023 before merging with Cardiff-based Watts Gregory and HJE Healthcare Accountants in July 2023. The firm’s key sectors in Wales include healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, not-for-profit, construction and real estate and professional services, as well as a growing wealth management and financial planning division.

These services have helped the practice to grow to 110 staff, including several recent high-profile promotions and appointments across both Cardiff and Swansea offices. One such move was Curzon becoming the firm’s tax lead for the region, while Laura Farrow became a partner and the firm’s audit lead for Wales, and director Huw Padgett was named the region’s healthcare lead.

In July, MHA revealed its revenues in Wales climbed 8% to £9.4 million, as it posted record financial revenues of £251 million, its first full set of results as a public company. Looking ahead, James Dobson, chief operating officer for MHA in Wales, said he believes there are many opportunities for organic growth in Wales and that MHA is also open to further M&A activity in the region, in line with the firm’s overall growth strategy.

“Our success here in a relatively short period of time has been phenomenal,” he concluded. “As a business we are investing significantly in Wales, in our people and in our offering. Our Cardiff office has been transformed as part of a major refurbishment. We want our offices to be a great place to work, somewhere our people enjoy spending time with colleagues and clients. Our people strategy is bearing fruit with a number of our specialists moving into senior roles and this is helping to create career progression opportunities for people across the business.”