Deloitte to acquire family consulting boutique, Peter Leach & Partners.
Deloitte will acquire leading family enterprise business, Peter Leach & Partners, with effect from January 2015.
Since its establishment in 2008, Peter Leach & Partners have built a strong global reputation, offering family business consultancy services to entrepreneurial families. They have supported successful family businesses with succession planning, the development of family constitutions, and philanthropy services. The acquisition will make it easier for these family businesses to access Deloitte’s other services including corporate finance and real estate services.
Claire Webster, head of Deloitte’s Private Client Services team said: “I am delighted to announce that we will be welcoming two new partners to our firm, Peter Leach and Alexandra Sharpe. With over 30 years of experience, Peter is considered the ‘founding father’ of family business thinking in the UK. Alex is recognised as a leading authority on family business and specialises in succession planning and governance issues. We believe that this acquisition gives Deloitte the leading family business consulting team.”
Government research shows there are 858,000 family businesses in the UK*, highlighting the important role they play in the British economy. Peter Leach & Partners’ expertise will ensure family businesses continue to be successful and harmonious through the generations.
Webster adds: “In addition to the challenges faced by established family businesses, globally we are also seeing many entrepreneurial family businesses face the prospect of generational change for the first time. Many family businesses were created following the widespread economic and political change of the last 30 years. Now the sons and daughters will take over the business and this highlights the importance of succession planning to ensure this process goes smoothly.”
Peter Leach said: “I am excited to be joining Deloitte. This is a new adventure which will allow us to share our specialist expertise in family businesses, family offices and family philanthropy with a broader audience. This is a great opportunity to integrate with a leading business advisory firm. Considering the enormous growth potential of this market, combining our forces will enable us to provide our clients with a broader range of services, which will benefit them.”
Peter Leach & Partners have established a strong market position internationally, in particular in the UK, the Middle East and Asia. Prior to launching his own practice Peter was a Partner at BDO in London, where he worked for 37 years.