This marks CP’s sixth deal since partnering with New York-based private equity firm Lee Equity Partners earlier this year. The deal pushes CP’s pro forma turnover beyond £250 million, as the firm strides towards £600m by 2028 and £1 billion by 2030.

Founded in 2015, the 70+ strong Hutcheon Mearns team helps companies build finance teams, solve complex finance problems and deliver focused growth strategies. With a mission to disrupt the existing business accountancy market with a totally differentiated model focussed on putting people at the heart of every solution, the firm shares CP’s rebellious, challenger ethos.

With offices across Scotland and London, the firm’s services are transformative for augmenting a finance team, providing corporate finance and M&A advice, or using technology to improve processes with business and artificial intelligence. Key sectors include energy, manufacturing, food & drink, technology, professional services and real estate.

Craig Hutcheon, co-founder and managing director, said: “When we formed Hutcheon Mearns in 2015, we embarked on a mission to disrupt. We’ve been bold in our own journey to make our clients’ problems the catalyst of our evolution.

“Right from our initial chat with Ade and his team it was clear that there was an instant connection in culture, spirit and values. We’re both people first, fearless and ‘go all in’ businesses. And we’re excited to move into the next stage of our journey together, aligned to challenge the norms of the traditional accounting sector.””
 
Adam Maitland, managing director, said: “When I joined Craig in 2017 we had a shared, absolute, focus on building something different. Taking world-class expertise across accounting and finance services, bringing it together in a new way, and being all about our client needs (no more silos!).

“It has been an incredible journey so far and we have built a phenomenal team; but we’re only scratching the surface. We couldn’t be more excited to join a like minded business, bring an enhanced suite of services to the market and be a key part of the Scottish growth story for CP.”

Neil Norman, Cooper Parry’s head of Scotland, added: “These are seriously exciting times. With this latest strategic acquisition, our team in Scotland is now tipping 100 strong, we’ve just launched a powerful brand awareness campaign and our Tartan Rebelution event in November is generating a massive buzz.

“Hutcheon Mearns’ reputation is really strong here and I can’t wait to see the impact our people service lines will make across the UK and Ireland.”

Ade Cheatham, CEO, Cooper Parry, concluded: “There’s such pace and energy for us in Scotland right now. Our vision is all about new capabilities, new tech and new markets.

“What Craig and Adam have built creates an awesome people-first footprint for us to roll out UK-wide. Together, we’re not just building a firm, we’re building a movement.”