Carpenter Box, a UK-based accountancy firm and part of Sumer Group, has agreed a merger with the Brighton office of Sussex-based accounting practice Hartley Fowler.
The deal increases Carpenter Box’s presence in Brighton and adds to its service capacity for small and medium-sized enterprises in the area.
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As part of the merger, Guy Rolliston and Daniel Chapman will join the Carpenter Box board as partners.
The Hartley Fowler Brighton team of 16 will also move into Sumer Group’s network, which includes nearly 3,000 staff across more than 60 offices nationwide.
Alan Edwards, managing partner at Carpenter Box, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Brighton office of Hartley Fowler to the Sumer Group family. Brighton has a strong and growing SME community, and this merger allows us to deepen our presence in the city.
“By combining our teams, we can offer local businesses access to a broader range of specialist services, including tax, audit and advisory, backed by the scale and expertise of the wider Sumer Group.”
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By GlobalDataGuy Rolliston, partner at Hartley Fowler, said: “Joining Carpenter Box, and the wider Sumer Group, marks an exciting new chapter for our Brighton branch. Our clients will benefit from enhanced service capabilities while maintaining the strong personal relationships and local knowledge they value.”
Carpenter Box said the investment is part of Sumer Group’s wider growth strategy, supported by funding from Penta Capital and BlackRock.
Following the merger, the Hartley Fowler Brighton team will operate from Carpenter Box’s Brighton office.
The firms said clients will have access to Sumer Group’s range of professional services, including audit, tax, advisory and business support, while continuing to work with the same local contacts.
