Major accountancy firm takes extends Shropshire presence with takeover

Baldwins Accountants bought one of Shropshire's biggest accountants, Turner Peachey, in late 2014, in a move which extended its reach into the county for the first time.

Now it has taken over Andrews, Orme & Hinton, on Shrewsbury's Oxon Business Park, and Geraint Humphrey & Co in Beatrice Street, Oswestry.

It brings the total number of offices in the group to 19, and the acquisitions made in the last two years to 11.

The growth means more than 400 staff will be employed by the Walsall-based firm, with 25 staff joining with the Shrewsbury firm and 12 in Oswestry. It brings the total number of people employed by Baldwins in Shropshire and Mid Wales to 71.

Partner David Baldwin said: "Our presence in Shropshire and Mid-Wales was strengthened by our acquisition of five Turner Peachey offices in 2014 and we have been looking for opportunities to further add to our portfolio.

"Due to the success of the Turner Peachy acquisition, we have further invested in our tax, corporate finance, banking and payroll teams to support our growth. We believe Shrewsbury is a significant growth area and there is potential for even more development in the future."

Robert Orme and Nigel Hinton will stay as consultants, with all staff moving into the firm's Baldwins Turner Peachey branch in London Road in Shrewsbury.

Staff from Geraint Humphreys will initially move into Baldwin Turner Peachey's office in Salop Road in Oswestry, before all 25 staff from the combined firms move into refurbished offices in Beatrice Street.

It also has offices in Welshpool, Shifnal and Bridgnorth.

Mr Baldwin added: "The addition of Andrews, Orme & Hinton and Geraint Humphreys & Co underlines our investment in Shropshire as well as our confidence in the area's future growth.

"Andrews, Orme & Hinton is particularly strong in providing advice and support to their rural clients which will enhance our expertise in this area.

"Geraint Humphreys is well-known in Oswestry for its accounting, book-keeping and auditing and we will be able to provide additional services to the clients of both companies in particular in tax, specialist tax, banking and finance, and payroll.

"We took over six established practices last year and these two firms have exactly the same well-respected reputations in their communities which gives us great scope to grow both businesses.

"This is a really exciting time for Baldwins Accountants as we maintain our strong period of growth.

"We are keen to continue to develop organically over the coming months and maintain a steady but constant expansion of our business throughout the UK."