A CHANCE meeting and discussion on the golf course has led to a major merger of Harrogate-based chartered accountants Hudson Lees with ambitious professional services group Mitchells.

Wheels were set in motion after Mike Hudson teed off with Simon Kippax, head of taxation planning at the Headingley-based Mitchells Group.

Hudson Lees will now come under the corporate umbrella of Mitchells which offers a wide range of advisory services, ranging from IT consulting to sales and marketing.

Mr Hudson will continue to run Hudson Lees, which he took over from his father 20 years ago.

During the golf match, Mr Hudson happened to mention to Mr Kippax that his partner, David Lees, had left to live in Spain three months ago - and the merger idea took root.

Mr Hudson, who now becomes one of four Mitchells Group partners, said: "I won the match, but we were all winners in the end.

"This merger offers a stimulating future for Hudson Lees and will enable it to grow the practice in North Yorkshire as part of a respected and ambitious professional services group."

Mitchells Group managing director David Mitchell, said: "The merger offers us an exciting opportunity to grow the group's already successful and well-established firm of chartered accountants."