Merger of accountancy practices is a welcome boost to businesses in Luton and the surrounding area

This follows the merger of the well-established and widely respected Luton practice of S J Males & Co, headed up by Craig and Sarah Males, with Streets, a Top 40 UK mid-tier and multi-regional practice with 15 offices, 36 partners and over 200 staff.

When asked about the merger with Streets, Craig Males said: “Prior to the merger we worked informally with Streets accessing advice and support we were not able to provide to our clients. This included specialist tax advice and assistance with more complex accountancy and audit work. 

“This approach allowed us to get to know each other better and supported the move for both firms to work more closely. We have recognised the need to be able to offer our clients a greater breadth of service to support them with the challenges they face and we also wanted to increase the firm’s capacity to develop the business.   

“It is with this background that we are delighted to have merged with Streets who not only share our values of providing excellent client centric service but that can also provide both our existing and new clients much more in terms of specialist advice and services. In particular, it is great to be able to now draw on the dedicated tax expertise of Corporate Tax Partner, Luke Prout and Private Client Tax Partner, Jennie Brown.

“The merger will provide broader benefits in terms of resources and support to develop our team and to ensure we are able to respond to the challenges we face as a business like those of our clients.”

Commenting on the background and strategy to the creation of Streets S J Males and the development of a Luton office, Streets Chairman and Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said: “We have been keen to strengthen our presence in Bedfordshire for some time, looking in particular at Luton and the surrounding area. From our established offices in Stevenage and Wyboston Lakes, we have looked after clients in the area for many years. 

“Last year we opened a new office in Northamptonshire in response to the wider opportunities for a practice of our breadth and size in the county and south east Midlands. It therefore seemed a logical move to have a much more meaningful presence in Luton. Whilst we considered opening a new office, we have been extremely fortunate to have been able to come together with Craig and Sarah Males, formerly of S J Males & Co and now to be driving forward the new merged practice.”

“The creation of Streets S J Males will serve to enhance the provision and access to professional advisory services available to businesses and individuals in Luton and its surrounding business region.  Whilst many large firms have moved to more regional models, Streets remains committed to and focused on looking after clients that live, work and operate businesses in the local area.”

Going forward the new office will be headed up by Streets audit and accountancy partner Alan Endersby. Alan has established links to the town and surrounding area and as such is well placed to spearhead the firm’s growth and development in Luton and surrounding locations including St Albans, Hitchin, Dunstable, Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead. 

Talking about his new role, Alan said: “I am really looking forward to working with Craig, Sarah and their team and to be joined by fellow Streets partners and staff to provide clients of the office with access to services and support from the wider firm. Luton is close to my heart and a town I know well. With excellent road links, the airport and continued economic regeneration, we are excited about the opportunities for enterprise in the region, seeking to support established and new businesses. This is along with our work in looking after the tax and financial affairs of individuals.  

“We have a diverse client base which includes many owner-managed and family businesses, along with corporate entities and not for profit organisations including schools and academy trusts. We are therefore well placed to look after a growing portfolio of such clients in the area, but also to offer more specialist advice and support for those engaged in technology, education, the creative industries, logistics, e-commerce and engineering or manufacturing.

“The merger enables us to further our specialist work for those in the property sector through being able to draw on and promote S J Males, and especially one of Craig Males’ specialisms for service charge accounts of property management companies and agents.

“Through SBC Global Alliance, our own global association of leading professional firms, we are pleased to be able to service an increasing need for international tax advice and assurance services to those trading internationally and to UK subsidiaries with overseas parents.”

The merged practice of Streets S J Males will continue to operate from the former S J Males & Co office located at the Basepoint Business Centre at the Butterfield Technology Park. The office is already well known by existing clients of Craig and Sarah Males and no doubt will be welcomed by Streets’ clients locally, who can now access it as well as those offices they are currently serviced by.