Numbers add up for merger
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AN accountancy firm is merging with one of the region’s largest independent practices to take its total workforce up to 65.
Horn McLeod has joined with Ritsons, ending 17 years as a stand-alone Inverness business. Staff will transfer from Queensgate to Ritsons’ office in Huntly Street, while founder David Horn becomes a partner in Ritsons. “This merger enables me to offer strengthened continuity to my existing client file, which not only includes businesses throughout the Highlands but as far away as Australia and the USA”, said Mr Horn, who qualified in Glasgow in 1975 and founded Horn McLeod in 1995.
“The ethos of Ritsons is an extremely good fit with ours and I look forward to joining Sandra Ross and Daniel Palombo as Inverness-based partners and working with them to grow the business.”
Ritsons managing partner Ali Simpson said the merger would continue the recent growth of the Inverness office and added further expertise to the team.
“David Horn’s experience and business acumen, allied to his local knowledge will be an asset to Ritsons — particularly his expertise in handling small and medium sized enterprises, and we welcome his team on board,” he said.
“The service they offer to their existing clients will continue smoothly, while benefiting from our major resources. “We’re delighted that everything has been successfully concluded as this now takes us up to 65 employees in Moray and the Highlands. This is a very challenging time for business and securing funds for growth is a key issue. But, with Ritsons having been operating since 1909, we have a portfolio of long-established clients who, assisted by us, have the calibre to weather the economic storm.
“The Inverness office has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with an impressive client list, and this merger further increases its ability to offer unrivalled service and overview to ease the administrative and financial burden of individual companies.”
Ritsons also has offices in Grantown, Forres, Elgin, Buckie and Keith, and Mr Horn’s arrival takes the number of partners up to eight.
He joins David Anderson (Buckie and Keith); James Brash (Forres); Walter Deans and Deborah Newton (Elgin); Sandra Ross and Daniel Palombo (Inverness) and Mr Simpson himself, who is predominantly based in Buckie.
