UK accountancy group DJH adds Forbes Dawson to bolster tax advisory
What's the deal? DJH, a UK accountancy and advisory group backed by private equity firm Tenzing, has acquired Forbes Dawson, a specialist tax advisory firm based in Altrincham. Forbes Dawson's 20-strong team and all senior partners will remain, and the firm will keep its brand.
Forbes Dawson advises businesses, entrepreneurs, private clients, and professional advisers on corporate tax, VAT, property, SDLT, employee incentives, transactional tax, and tax investigations.
"It delivers tax at a level that rivals the 'Big Four' and this acquisition strengthens our offering for clients across the entire group," said DJH chief executive officer Scott Heath.
Why now? The deal is DJH's third acquisition of 2026, following the additions of SB&P and Loucas earlier this year. Tenzing, DJH's private equity backer, is fuelling a buy-and-build strategy to scale the group's capabilities.
Forbes Dawson's joint managing partner Laura Hutchinson said the firm wanted to invest in operational support — HR, marketing, business development, and technology — and found a cultural fit with DJH. "We are confident that everything that makes Forbes Dawson what it is will be retained, including the brand, while also benefiting from the resources and support the group brings," she said.
What could go wrong? Rapid roll-up strategies in professional services carry integration risk. Retaining specialist talent post-acquisition is critical — particularly in a niche like tax advisory, where client relationships are personal. Cultural misalignment or heavy-handed integration could push key people out.
The signal: The UK accountancy sector is deep in consolidation mode, with PE-backed platforms snapping up specialist firms to build full-service offerings. Boutique tax practices that once thrived on independence are increasingly choosing scale, drawn by operational support and growth capital they can't easily fund alone. Expect more deals like this as mid-market advisory groups race to compete with the Big Four on breadth — while betting they can beat them on service.
Read more: djh.co.uk
