Ranked at number 52 in the Accountancy league table of firms, Thomas Westcott has 250 members of staff, including 57 fully qualified accountants, spread over 17 offices in Devon and Somerset, and a fee income of £12.9m.

Since being established more than 35 years ago Reddaway and Co, led by Bob Pulsford, has provided accounting, taxation and corporate services to a wide range of businesses and individuals in mid-Devon.

Following the deal Thomas Westcott’s existing Tiverton operations, headed up by senior partner Stuart Carrington and director Denise Harris, will be moving into Reddaway’s premises.

Pulsford, who will now take a consultant role at the newly-merged firm working alongside Mandy French, who is moving from Thomas Westcott’s Honiton office to assist with the Tiverton operation as a director, said: ‘Everyone connected to Reddaway should feel proud of our achievements running and growing the practice over the years.

‘However, the time is now right to take the business to the next level, and I couldn’t be happier to join forces with a large firm like Thomas Westcott that truly understands and shares our values when it comes to local knowledge combined with service excellence.’

French said: ‘Even though we are seen as one of the south west’s larger firms we go to great pains to ensure clients are serviced from local offices led by local partners, so very much in keeping with the culture Reddaway’s clients have come to expect.

‘This focus ensures we always deliver a personal service but with an added depth of expertise from our many specialists across the firm.’

Report by Pat Sweet