Leading professional advisory and accountancy specialist, FPM, will become AAB, while HR services and people development consultants, Think People, will become AAB People, in a move which consolidates the business’ five brands across the UK and Ireland. This strategic alignment forms a cornerstone of AAB’s six-year plan to strengthen and expand its position as a leading provider in the mid-market.
Established by Feargal McCormack and headquartered in Newry, FPM joined AAB in 2022 as part of a strategic growth deal and marked the first private equity investment of its kind across the island of Ireland.
AAB further expanded its service capabilities in 2022, by acquiring Think People, headquartered in Belfast. This move introduced leadership and development services for clients.
In addition to FPM, Sagars and May Figures will become AAB, with SeeHearSpeakUp joining Think People to make AAB People, the full-service people consultancy arm of AAB.
Employing around 1,000 people across 12 office locations in Scotland, England and Ireland, AAB delivers Audit, Accounting, Tax, Payroll, HR, Consulting and Advisory Solutions globally, with annual turnover approaching £100 million. The rapidly growing business, with its expanding client base, has trebled in size since 2021, ranking in the top 20 of Accountancy Daily’s Top75 Accountancy Firms last year.
This strategic move is designed to optimise AAB’s robust brand presence, enhance market penetration, and deliver a more integrated experience for clients. AAB’s growth plan, which includes enhancing client engagement, expanding its service offerings and investing in technology, has continued backing from August Equity.
A transition period is currently underway, ensuring that clients experience a seamless change with no disruption to services. The unification will enhance the firm’s ability to offer holistic professional services, reinforced by the depth of experience synonymous with the FPM and Think People brands.
“Our brand consolidation marks a pivotal moment in our growth journey,” said Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive at AAB. “By combining our diverse services under the widely recognised AAB brand, we are not only simplifying our structure, but also amplifying our ability to deliver integrated, innovative solutions to our clients. This alignment is crucial as we continue to pursue our ambitious growth targets and expand our footprint in the UK and beyond.
“AAB’s commitment to our clients remains steadfast, with a focus on delivering unparalleled accountancy, consultancy and advisory services that drive success,” added Lancaster. “By uniting our brands, we will operate more efficiently and effectively, enhancing our ability to offer holistic professional services, and ensuring that our clients continue to receive exceptional support as they navigate their own journeys.
“We have a wealth of experience and expertise across all five brands, and we are delighted to welcome these individuals to the AAB brand. I’d like to thank everyone in our team for their continued hard work.”
Feargal McCormack of FPM and Emer Hinphey of Think People added: “As founders of FPM and Think People, we are both immensely proud of the milestones achieved and excited for what’s to come. Transitioning to the AAB brand marks a deliberate step towards our future and highlights the collective strength and shared mission of delivering outstanding service and value to clients. Together, we look forward to navigating this exciting new chapter of growth and possibility.”