A LARGE firm of chartered accountants with an office in York has announced a merger.

BHP has merged with Sheffield-based gvt Chartered Accountants following the death of Melanie Viner, gvt’s key relationship partner, who had been battling cancer.

She joined gvt in 1991 and quickly established a strong reputation in the accountancy industry, becoming the firm’s managing partner.

Following her diagnosis, she looked to secure gvt’s future for its staff and clients and agreed to the completion of the merger shortly before her death in November.

Her business partner, Mark Goodband, has retired from the partnership and after a short handover period will pursue other opportunities.

The gvt team will relocate from its Nether Edge office to BHP’s Rutland Park headquarters over the coming weeks.

BHP now has more than 300 employees across five offices in Sheffield, Leeds, Cleckheaton, Chesterfield and York.

John Warner, managing partner at BHP, said: “It was hugely important to Melanie that both gvt’s team and the firm’s client base would continue to thrive after her death. gvt has always had a strong, well-established team and a reputation for offering a high standard of service to its clients, which fits with BHP’s culture and customer centric approach. As a result, we were delighted to agree to this merger proposal.

“We’re now looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues into our business and continuing to provide gvt’s clients with the level of service and expertise that they have come to expect, which will form an important part of Melanie’s legacy. We would also like to wish Mark all the very best for the future.”

In November 2015 the financial planning division of BHP merged with a Cleckheaton-based counterpart.

Following a period of organic growth, BHP Financial Planning merged with Chartford Financial Management.