Armstrong Watson strengthens operations with Burnetts Solicitors financial services deal

An accountancy and business advisory firm has expanded after completing an acquisition.

Armstrong Watson has finalised a deal for Burnetts Solicitors’ financial services business.

The sale came after partners at Burnetts, which has an office in Newcastle, decided to offload its financial endeavour amid “increasing demands in regulation” to give further focus to its “high-quality” legal provision.

Paul Dickson, chief executive and managing partner at Armstrong Watson, which also has an office in Newcastle, said: “With both firms being long-established firms in Carlisle, Newcastle, Penrith and West Cumbria, we have many existing mutual client relationships.

“Both firms also share common values, making the transition of Burnetts financial services over to Armstrong Watson one that makes good sense for clients to ensure that they continue to receive the highest quality of financial advice.”

Above: Iain Lightfoot, left, managing director of Armstrong Watson Financial Planning Limited, with financial adviser Tony Irving, who has joined Armstrong Watson

As part of the deal, Tony Irving, Burnetts’ highly experienced independent financial adviser has joined Armstrong Watson’s team of financial planning consultants.

Nick Gutteridge, managing partner at Burnetts, added: “The legal side of our business has been growing consistently over the last few years and this, combined with the increasingly complicated regulation of financial services, led us to seek a partner to acquire the financial services arm of Burnetts.

“Armstrong Watson is a very natural choice – its services, like ours, are well respected and we trust its skilled team will look after our financial services clients well.

“This will free us up to concentrate on our legal work and we have plans for further significant growth of Burnetts in both Cumbria and Newcastle in the coming years.”

Armstrong Watson’s financial planning division has been providing advice to clients for almost 50 years and is led by managing director Iain Lightfoot and head of advice David Squire.