Kreston Reeves to join forces with AAB

We are delighted to share an important milestone in our growth journey. Kreston Reeves will be joining forces with AAB, a leading professional services firm with offices across the UK and Ireland, supported by Goldman Sachs Alternatives. Through this partnership, we will become AAB’s regional hub in London and the South East of England.

Like Kreston Reeves, AAB offers a comprehensive range of services and deep sector expertise. Yet, what resonated most strongly with us is their culture and values. AAB’s commitment to people, their passion for helping clients, together with a personal approach and dedication to both local and global communities, all which align closely with our own values and ambitions.

This partnership will create significant and sustainable benefits for our clients and our people, including:

• A broader and deeper range of services – Kreston Reeves clients will gain access to AAB’s enhanced global tax, wealth and people consultancy services. AAB clients will benefit from the Kreston Reeves legal, forensics and indirect tax services.
• Strengthened sector specialism – Our combined expertise will deepen insights across manufacturing, professional services, not for profit, media, technology and real estate. Clients will also gain access to additional specialisms including energy, hospitality and leisure, and health and social care.
• Continuous innovation and investment – More investment in the next phase of technology, tools and service development, enhancing efficiency and creating more value for clients and our people.
• Enhanced career opportunities – From being part of a national firm. Wider expertise, more career paths, new community groups, and expanded learning and collaboration opportunities within a market‑leading practice.

The combined firm will comprise of more than 1,800 people, across 23 locations, expanding and strengthening our footprint from London and the South East to across the rest of the UK and Ireland.

While our reach and capability will grow significantly, our commitment to guiding clients, colleagues and communities to a brighter future, and delivering a personal, relationship-led service remains unchanged. Our teams will continue to work from the same locations, with the same contact details and our clients will still be dealing with all the same people.

Going above and beyond. Together.

This marks a pivotal step in our shared vision: to create a dynamic, client-centred, people-focused, professional services firm. One that blends a strong regional presence with national scale and deep specialist knowledge, enabling our clients, colleagues and communities to thrive.

The deal between Kreston Reeves and AAB is expected to complete in Spring 2026, following customary regulatory approvals.

Richard Spofforth, Managing Partner at Kreston Reeves, says; “We continually look for ways to strengthen and grow our firm for the future. This partnership supports our long term strategic plans, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing accountancy market, providing exceptional service to our clients and greater opportunities for our people.

“Finding the right partner was important to us – one with complementary culture, market focus and geography. We firmly believe we’ve found that in AAB. Bringing together two substantial businesses that share the same ambitions and values will significantly enhance our strength and capability.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we have built over our 200-year history, and we’re excited to be joining AAB to continue building on that legacy together. We would like to thank our team, clients and partners for their support during this important phase.”.

Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive at AAB, comments: “This is a major milestone for AAB. Our aim is not just about growth for growth’s sake, but to build a resilient, sustainable business that delivers long-term value for our clients, colleagues and communities.

“Kreston Reeves is a highly regarded firm with a strong heritage, and they share our dedication to putting clients and people at the heart of everything we do. We’re excited about what our combined talent, capability and shared vision will achieve as we work towards becoming the leading professional services firm serving the mid-market in the UK and Ireland.”

Jose Barreto, Partner, and Mihir Lal, Managing Director, Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, commented:

“We are very excited about the strategic combination of AAB and Kreston Reeves. This partnership accelerates our vision for a national presence across the UK and Ireland, delivering essential scale in the South-East of England. The deep cultural alignment between AAB and Kreston Reeves will strengthen the collective offering for both customers and employees.”

For further information or to speak with a member of our team, contact your usual Kreston Reeves adviser or get in touch with us here.

For more information about AAB, click here to visit their website.

Kreston Reeves was advised by Rothschild & Co (financial adviser) and Shoosmiths (legal adviser).