Hg-backed Cogital buys Wilkins Kennedy

The deal is the largest bolt-on to date for Cogital since embarking on a bolt-on spree in December 2016. It will see the group's UK regional business, Baldwins, strengthen its position in the international business services sector.

As part of the transaction, Wilkins Kennedy's senior partner William Payne will take on the role of regional managing director with responsibility for the south region within the UK business, and will join the board of Baldwin Holdings.

Baldwins had previously acquired UK business advisory firm Rawlinsons in March this year, having acquired Kettering-based Smith Hodge & Baxter a fortnight earlier. Cogital's UK division, Blick Rothenberg, acquired UK business advisory firm Westleton Drake in July, seven months after it acquired accountancy and business advisory firm Shelley Stock Hutter.

Cogital is a tax and advisory practice created by Hg with the acquisition of Blick Rothenberg in August 2016. The group consists of Azets Group in the Nordic region, and Baldwins and Blick Rothenberg in the UK. Following the latest acquisition, the group expects a turnover of £500m this year.  

Company
Established in 1882 and headquartered in London, Wilkins Kennedy is a business services firm. It employs a staff of 700 and posted an annual turnover of £54m in 2017. The firm operates 18 offices across London and the south-east.

People
Cogital Group – John Connolly (executive chairman); John Baldwin (CEO UK regional division).
Wilkins Kennedy – William Payne (senior partner).

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