Professional services firm Shipleys has announced it will take on the branding of Moore Kingston Smith. The news follows the successful merger of Shipleys with the multi-disciplinary advisory, tax and audit firm in late 2024.
Moore Kingston Smith was established early in the twentieth century. It has grown into an advisory, tax and audit firm with expertise across multiple sectors, including media, nonprofit and professional services. With a similar history, Shipleys’ 19 partners and 150 people are now joining Moore Kingston Smith’s team of over 1,500 partners and people.
Looking ahead, the two firms “share a strong vision and values”, according to a release from Shipleys. The firm added that clients can be “confident that it is ‘business as usual’ and that they can expect the same commercial approach, technical capabilities and personal touch” from Shipleys teams.
Steve Foster, managing principal of Shipleys, said, “We are delighted to join Moore Kingston Smith. The firm mirrors our culture and ethos with a passion for high-quality client service and creating an enjoyable and supportive working environment. In joining their team, we’ve merged our strengths, solutions and sector knowledge to expand our client services and support. Above all, we will continue to help our clients and people thrive.”
Since announcing the merger in October 2024, both firms’ teams have been working closely to integrate operations, ensuring a smooth transition for employees and clients. With this completed, Shipleys will rebrand from the 6th of May, to trade as Moore Kingston Smith – a change reflecting the final step in bringing both firms together, integrating their shared strengths in media, financial services and general practice.
The merger has expanded Moore Kingston Smith’s suite of professional services. This includes enhancing its Media team with Shipleys’ market-leading audit, advisory and tax credit expertise in the film, TV and animation sectors. Additionally, it has strengthened the firm’s financial sector offerings with Shipleys’ Funds team, and Moore Kingston Smith’s Fintech team can now also provide safeguarding audits to payment services and e-money businesses.
Matt Meadows, managing partner of Moore Kingston Smith, added, “It’s great to take this important step in the full integration of our firms. This is more than a name change; we’ve combined the strengths of our firms to offer even better service and support for our clients. With broader expertise and new capabilities, we’ve bolstered our position to help people and businesses navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive in a changing market.”