Chartered accountants Clough & Company is on the expansion trail after acquiring the corporate finance arm of a London-based practice that will provide a springboard for selling its services nationally.

As a result of the deal, Clough & Company, which has offices in Cleckheaton and Keighley employing around 80 staff, has appointed one of the UK’s top corporate finance specialists to its senior team.

Jo Haigh, who has more than 25 years of experience in the corporate finance sector and has written several successful business books, has joined Clough & Company from MGR following the acquisition of the firm’s corporate finance division.

Jo, who specialises in raising finance, acquisitions, divestments, providing non-executive support and advising on shareholders disputes, is heading up Clough & Company’s corporate finance services team, working alongside managing partner Nigel Bullas to develop the department.

She has been twice named advisor of the year by the Institute of Directors and is listed in the ‘Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite’’ She said: “Clough and Company is renowned for providing a personal and professional service to its clients.

“The company’s experienced team provides a safe pair of hands to guide businesses and individuals through sales, mergers, acquisitions, buyouts and much more.”

Nigel Bullas said: “Jo’s wealth of experience and knowledge will significantly benefit our clients and we are thrilled to have strengthened our service offering in this manner.

“It’s an exciting development for the firm as her staff who are also joining us and it will give us a presence in Birmingham and London.”

She was the first woman in the country to gain the Institute of Chartered Accountants corporate finance qualification.

She will be based at Clough & Company’s head office in Cleckheaton and also work in London and the Midlands.

Mr Bullas confirmed that the deal with MGR provided Clough & Company with its first presence outside West Yorkshire.

“This is a significant move as it provides us with the opportunity to offer our services nationally rather than just in West Yorkshire as has been the case so far.

“It offers a potential springboard for further expansion.

“We’re definitely looking to expand and grow and will consider other opportunities as they arise.”

Clough & Company sponsors the quarterly economic surveys published by Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Mr Bullas said the climate for many firms remained tough.