YORK accountancy firm Barron & Barron has merged with Barber Harrison & Platt, an independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisors based in Sheffield.

The merged firm will have a turnover approaching £12 million and a team of 216 people with offices in Sheffield, Leeds, Harrogate and Chesterfield as well as York.

Barron & Barron was founded in 1893 and the current partners, Guy Ward and Richard Bailey, and all of their staff will continue in the merged business, which will practise as practise as BHP Barron & Barron.

Mr Ward will be a partner with the combined firm and Mr Bailey will continue as a full time consultant in his specialist areas of tax and landed estates.

Mr Ward said: “We identified BHP as an ideal firm to merge with, enabling us to continue to provide a full business advisory service to our client base. We share the same belief in the absolute importance of client care and look forward to building upon our established position within the North Yorkshire market.”

John Warner, managing partner of BHP, said: “The success of our merger in 2011 with Mitchells in Leeds and Harrogate has encouraged us to expand further into North Yorkshire.

"Barron & Barron is a very well respected firm in York and has specialist niches that fit in very well with our own expertise."