AHL Business Assurance Limited, a specialist provider of governance, risk and internal audit services, merged its business into leading accountants and consultants, Moore Stephens, with effect from 1 January 2010.
AHL has an impressive track record in providing internal audit services to ‘blue chip’ clients across the public sector, including departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies. The transaction will not only boost Moore Stephens’ already significant public sector practice, but will also enable continued growth in other specialist industry sectors for which Moore Stephens is well known.
AHL’s two directors, Sarah Hillary and Robert Noye Allen have become partners in Moore Stephens LLP and they and their staff have joined Moore Stephens’ Governance, Risk & Assurance team.
Sarah Hillary said that the time had come for AHL to take the next major step in its development. “We have built a successful business since we started in 2000 and have taken a very thorough look at what success will look like in the future. We examined a number of strategic options and concluded that joining a larger firm will help us fulfil our ambitions. We have been very impressed with Moore Stephens since we first met them and very much look forward to the significant development opportunities the merger will bring. Combining AHL’s skills sets and Moore Stephens’ brand and depth of resources will enable us to target larger, more complex assignments in both the public and private sectors.”
Moore Stephens’ managing partner, Colin Moore said that the firm was delighted that AHL had chosen to join Moore Stephens. “Our public sector work has developed considerably, and the past year again showed core double digit growth. Demand for governance, risk and assurance services is increasing not only in the public sector, but across the private sector, most notably in the regulated markets. Meeting the demands of both best practice and the regulators is now critical for many businesses and with the AHL team’s skills sets and credentials, we will be even better placed to help them.”