Pictured: (l-r) Bishop Fleming's Managing Partner, Matthew Lee, with former Rabjohns' partners, David Cornelius and Ian Smith

Rabjohns, one of Worcestershire's leading accountancy firms, has completed its merger with Bishop Fleming to create a spread of offices up the M5 corridor from Cornwall to the Midlands.

Rabjohns LLP's 26 staff have now joined the growing Bishop Fleming network to become Bishop Fleming Rabjohns.

This move adds Worcester to Bishop Fleming's existing offices in Bristol, Cardiff and throughout the South West - and sees the firm increase to 21 partners and 230 staff.

Explaining the move, Rabjohns' Ian Smith, said:  "Our decision to join Bishop Fleming is a natural progression of the close working relationship between our two firms over the last decade.

"We have both shared active membership of the Kreston International network of independent accountancy firms over many years, and Rabjohns already used the Bishop Fleming payroll services for many of our clients", he added.

"The merger provides Rabjohns' clients with the specialist skills and services of the enlarged firm, including expertise in high level VAT, international tax, capital market fundraising, and corporate finance.

"It also provides access to one of the country's largest business recovery teams, and to Bishop Fleming Independent Financial Advisers", said Mr Smith.

Managing Partner of Bishop Fleming, Matthew Lee, said:  "Our long standing relationship has confirmed that both Bishop Fleming and Rabjohns shared core values and a common culture in how we engage with our clients and our people.

"This merger will add significantly to our strength in a number of sectors such as Charity & Education, and Sport, Leisure & Tourism. We are particularly excited about the prospect of working with Rabjohns whom we have admired and respected for a long time", he added.