DJH Accountancy Group Expands North West Network with Bootle Acquisition
Acquisitive private equity-backed accountancy firm DJH has strengthened its presence in Liverpool and the wider North West region through the strategic acquisition of Bootle-based practice SB&P Accountants. This significant move represents DJH's 19th acquisition since 2020 and substantially expands its professional services footprint across Merseyside.
Strategic Expansion Across Liverpool Region
The acquisition means DJH now operates six offices strategically positioned across Liverpool city centre, Ellesmere Port, and the Wirral peninsula. This expansion follows last year's acquisition of three Haines Watts offices in the North West, demonstrating DJH's sustained commitment to growing its regional influence.
Scott Heath, Chief Executive Officer of DJH, emphasized the strategic importance of this development: "We've maintained a clear ambition to deepen our Liverpool presence for some time. Last year's acquisition of three Haines Watts offices in the North West established our foundation, and we're now building on that regional potential by bringing SB&P into our family."
Preserving Leadership and Client Relationships
The SB&P leadership team comprising Wendy McNulty, Rob Young, and Suzanne Draper will remain in place following the acquisition. This continuity ensures the preservation of established client relationships while introducing new professional services through DJH's expanded platform.
Wendy McNulty, Director at SB&P, commented on the partnership: "We've always believed that genuine relationships form the foundation of our practice. Joining DJH provides our team and clients access to a significantly broader professional platform while maintaining the personal, advice-focused culture we've carefully cultivated over years."
Complementary Office Strategy and Regional Momentum
DJH has developed a proven strategy of pairing city centre offices with out-of-town locations, as demonstrated by their successful Chester City and Ellesmere Port combination, along with their Manchester and Altrincham operations. The Bootle acquisition perfectly complements this approach, pairing with their existing Liverpool city office to create what Heath describes as "a dominant local presence."
Heath further highlighted the regional economic context driving this expansion: "With billions in regeneration investment flowing into Liverpool, a rapidly growing SME sector, and increasing inward investment driving business scaling, demand for high-quality, locally rooted professional advice has never been greater. Liverpool and the North West possess genuine economic momentum, and we're committed to ensuring businesses driving that growth have access to premium advisory services."
National Scale and Private Equity Backing
DJH, backed by private equity specialists Tenzing and headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, now employs more than 700 professionals across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Beyond its North and Midlands heartlands, the firm maintains additional bases in Yorkshire, Bexley, and Dublin, creating a substantial national professional services network.
The acquisition represents a strategic consolidation within the accountancy sector, bringing together SB&P's established local reputation with DJH's expanding national platform. Heath noted that as DJH learned more about SB&P's client relationships, team capabilities, and business values, their enthusiasm for the partnership grew substantially.
"This is a practice that has earned genuine trust and loyalty throughout Liverpool," Heath emphasized. "That level of authentic reputation cannot be manufactured and perfectly complements everything we've already established across the region."
