Azets Opco Limited, commonly referred to as ’’Azets", is a Jersey incorporated international accounting, tax, audit, advisory and business services group.[4] The group was formed in 2016 through the merger of Visma BPO, Blick Rothenberg, and Baldwins. The group claims to be the largest provider of accountancy, payroll and tax services to SME customers in Northern Europe.[5]

Azets Group Limited
Azets
Company typeprivate company limited by guarantee
IndustryProfessional services
FoundedSep 2016; 8 years ago (Sep 2016) in Jersey, Channel Islands
FounderJohn Connolly and HgCapital
HeadquartersJersey, Channel Islands
Area served
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, Romania, Sweden, UK
Key people
Melanie Richards (Chair Azets Opco)[1]
Chris Horne (CEO Azets Opco)[2]
Services
  • Audit and Assurance
  • Advisory
  • Tax
  • Payroll
  • Accounting
  • Technology and Business Services
RevenueIncrease GB£505 million (2023)[3]
Number of employees
8,200 (2023)[3]
Websitewww.azets.com

The business was founded by John Connolly, former Global Chairman of Deloitte and for 12 years CEO of the UK firm, partnering with HgCapital.[6] The aim was to build a professional services network, initially by strategically purchasing smaller firms.[7]

At launch the Azets Group had 3,200 employee, based in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the UK with a nearshore centre in Romania. Group revenue was circa £300 million.[8]

In June 2023 PAI Partners succeeded in its bid to acquire a co-controlling stake in the group alongside Hg.[9] A £1.5 billion bid fronted by John Connolly was rejected.[9]

References

change
  1. "Deloitte Global announces new Board Chair". Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  2. "Chris Horne". Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Revenue". Azets. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. "About us and the companies in the Azets Group". www.azets.com. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  5. "Partners Group among suitors for £1.5bn accountancy firm Azets". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  6. "CogitalGroup". Golden. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  7. "Launch of CogitalGroup, a new advisory services business | Hg". hgcapital.com. 2016-08-12. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  8. "CogitalGroup which is backed by HgCapital announces an investment in Baldwins and the launch of the new Group | Hg". hgcapital.com. 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Azets Group secures investment from PAI Partners to join Hg and support next phase of growth | Hg". hgcapital.com. 2023-06-19. Retrieved 2024-08-12.