AAB moves into North West England with the acquisition of Barlow Andrews

A leading professional services firm, AAB, has strengthened its position in the north of England by acquiring Bolton-based Barlow Andrews and its sister entity Beech Business Services.  

Established for over 100 years and currently employs 70 people, Barlow Andrews and Beech Business Services collectively provide audit & accounts, tax, payroll, outsourcing and business advisory support to a wide range of SME clients in the North West.  The businesses join AAB immediately and will continue trading as Barlow Andrews and Beech Business Services for a set transition period.  

John Beevers, Head of Professional Services at AAB commented:  

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of Barlow Andrews, which marks an important milestone in our strategic expansion in the North of England, helping AAB to realise our ambitious 2030 growth strategy. Combining our expertise with Barlow Andrews’ deep knowledge of the North West region and its market, we are confident we will drive continued innovation and success for our clients. We look forward to building on this strong foundation and pursuing exciting growth opportunities across the North West.” 

Chris Harland, Managing Partner at Barlow Andrews added: “We are delighted to be joining forces with AAB, a company that shares our core values of collaboration and a strong commitment to client service. Over the years, we have built a strong reputation in the North West by focusing on delivering great results and fostering close relationships with our clients. In AAB we’ve found a partner that not only aligns with our vision but also offers the resources and expertise to broaden the support we can provide to our clients. Together, we will continue to prioritise the needs of our clients and continue to deliver high-quality tailored advice.” 

Since securing investment from August Equity in 2021, AAB has trebled in size and now employs more than 1,000 people across the UK, Ireland and internationally. The rapid growth journey is set to continue as part of delivering its ambitious growth strategy for 2030.