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Acclime Merger Adds Services Clout, Access To Chinese Market
As foreign businesses look for a smooth transition and good support entering Asian markets, Acclime has purchased a well-established China-focused accounting and advisory firm to further those aims.
Hong Kong-based corporate services provider Acclime has completed a merger with LehmanBrown International Accountants, with the latter bringing a 20-year track record of helping foreign businesses set up in China.
The transaction will bring Acclime's headcount in China to over 200 and close to 700 across the group, fitting with compliance and corporate services pipeline expansion plans in mainland China, Acclime said.
LehmanBrown will continue to trade under its own brand, remaining in its current offices until the service lines and branding become more integrated, the parties said. The China-focused accounting, taxation and business advisory firm has offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, and an affiliate network throughout China.
The parties cited similarities in cultural and professional styles among reasons for the merger.
“Both companies place significant value on genuine, collaborative partnerships with clients seeking to establish and expand into new markets. We believe LehmanBrown‘s clients will benefit from access to Acclime’s network of client services across Asia, including Greater China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and [the] Philippines,” co-founder and Acclime CEO Martin Crawford, said.
LehmanBrown managing partner Russell Brown OBE, added: “Each market has its own complexities when it comes to business compliance, and navigating a new market needs local expertise and cross-border knowledge and experience. As a result of this strategic integration, our clients can benefit from a wider spectrum of professional services and gain access to regional experts to help them navigate complex emerging Asian markets.”
“I look forward to introducing our clients to the greater scope of services across the region that integration with Acclime now brings us,” Brown said.
