Xeinadin, one of the leading professional services firms in the UK and Ireland, has announced the acquisition of Devonports LAS Accountants Limited, enhancing its footprint in Essex. The acquisition includes two offices located in Southend-on-Sea and Maldon.
Devonports Accountants, in Southend, was originally founded by Ian Hornsey in 1994 with just three clients and grew to serve over 2200 clients by October 2022. LAS Partnership, based in Maldon, which was owned by Tim Howard and had been established since 1996 had grown from 10 clients to just under 1200 and in October 2022 as both entities had such similar attitudes and resources, joined together to form Devonports LAS Accountants Ltd. Devonports LAS has since expanded to serve over 3,500 clients. Both of the initial firms have been providing to clients a high level of accountancy and business services, backed by a team of 19 trusted professionals. This acquisition is expected to bring significant benefits to local businesses in the region, as they will gain access to Xeinadin’s expertise and enhanced service offerings.
By integrating with Xeinadin, Devonports LAS will be able to expand its business capabilities and provide clients with a wider array of resources, empowering them to deliver comprehensive support across corporate finance, tax advisory and IT solutions. The partnership not only addresses the immediate needs of succession planning but also prepares for future changes within the accounting profession. With the benefits of joining a proactive organisation, Devonports LAS can now use Xeinadin’s national resources and expertise to enhance the services they provide their clients.
Ian Hornsey, Joint CEO at Devonports LAS, stated, “From the first meeting, we knew that Xeinadin was the right fit for us and the next stage of our journey as we aim to elevate our client offerings in this ever-changing world of accountancy. Joining Xeinadin makes absolute business sense, not only for succession planning but to meet the future challenges and changes within the accounting profession. Having joined in August 2024, we can already see the benefits of belonging to a professional and pro-active organisation, who care about their clients.”
Tim Howard, Joint CEO at Devonports LAS, continued, “After spending 28 years as a sole trader and subsequently merging with Devonports to form Devonports LAS Accountants Ltd over the past 21 months, I am thrilled to begin the next chapter of my career with Xeinadin. Besides my own personal succession planning, the acquisition provides the opportunity to share experiences, resources and save costs as we head towards a more digital environment. Joining a firm with a national presence allows us to better support SMEs and SMPs, which are essential to the vitality of our national economy.”
Tim Halford, Chief Commercial Officer at Xeinadin, stated, “The addition of Devonports LAS is an exciting development for us. Their commitment to client service and strong local relationships aligns perfectly with Xeinadin’s values. Together, we can expand our offerings to the businesses in Essex, ensuring they have the support and guidance necessary to grow and succeed in their respective markets.”
