The acquisition will allow the accountancy and business advisory firm, Shaw Gibbs, to offer a full range of professional accountancy services to businesses and individuals as well as allowing Cooper Murray to provide new services to its current business and private clients.

Shaw Gibbs is a member of DFK International, a worldwide association of independent accounting firms and business advisers with over 200 member firms covering 85 countries.

The combined firm has corporate and personal tax, VAT experts, corporate finance, financial services and mortgage teams, HR support as well as insolvency and corporate recovery specialists.

Peter O’Connell, managing director at Shaw Gibbs, said: ‘We are expanding our capabilities on many fronts, increasingly providing professional financial services to clients with property and international firms investing in the UK. 

‘We are delighted to be able to offer Cooper Murray's clients added value with our broad range of services and expertise, and look forward to working with the team to further develop our London practice.’

Peter Watts, partner at Cooper Murray, said: ‘This is a great opportunity to add value for our clients with enhanced capabilities. There is a natural fit with Shaw Gibbs, on a cultural as well as a business level, and this deal enables us to continue to provide an excellent service while giving our clients access to a much larger pool of experience and resources.’

Shaw Gibbs has offices in London and Oxford with its clients including owner-managed businesses, larger enterprises, high net worth individuals (HNWI), investors and overseas companies based in the UK.

Cooper Murray was established in the 1980s by Neil Murray and Jeffrey Cooper, who continue to provide consultancy services. Its clients include property firms, traditional retailers and private individuals.