A Suffolk and Essex-based accountancy firm has joined a big industry player as it eyes expansion.

Scrutton Bland of Colchester, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds said it was "incredibly excited" to be joining leading accountancy practice Sumer, which brings together leading regional businesses under a national umbrella.

The deal means Sumer now has nine regional hubs, 45 offices and a 1,200-strong workforce.

Scrutton Bland - which employs 150 people across its offices in Ipswich, Colchester and Bury St Edmunds - is more than 100 years old.

It specialises in a number of fields including agriculture, charities, construction, technology, and education. 

Ipswich Star:

It was joining forces Sumer - which it described as "a significant challenger within the accountancy sector" - to help it to grow and provide access to the latest technologies as well as to enhance its client offer, it said.

Sumer founder and chief executive Warren Mead welcomed the deal.

“Scrutton Bland has a rich history, and a big future, with a dedicated team passionate about championing SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)," he said.

Ipswich Star:

"The practice has received awards for its highly supportive approach to colleague development and focus on its people which made partnering ideal.”

Scrutton Bland managing partner Jason Fayers said they wanted to work with people "with a shared vision".

"As a business, we are always planning ways we can enhance our client services and develop our strong core people values.

Ipswich Star:

"We want to offer our clients and team the best experience possible and as a leadership team we have been thinking about how we can poise the business for growth.

"As technology evolves and the business world becomes ever more complex, we realise we must tap into additional scale."

He added: "That’s why we’re incredibly excited to join Sumer, who share our core values and can’t wait for the next chapter in the Scrutton Bland story.”