AAB, the accountancy and business advisory group backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, has opened a new office in the landmark No.1 St Michael's development in Manchester city centre, with plans to grow its team in Greater Manchester to 200 staff.
Strategic Expansion in Manchester
The new base represents what the firm describes as a “significant long-term investment in Manchester” and will operate alongside AAB's existing centre in Bolton, which currently employs 70 team members. The Manchester office aims to provide a full-service offering, combining local senior advisers with expertise from across the firm.
AAB was founded in Aberdeen in 1990 and now has revenues exceeding £200 million, employing more than 1,800 people across the UK, Ireland, and the US. The firm secured investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives last year to support its growth ambitions.
Leadership and Expertise
The Manchester team will be led by Chris Harland, Head of the North West, and will offer services including audit, tax, business advisory, corporate finance, and outsourced finance support. Harland emphasised the firm's commitment to building long-term relationships with businesses in the region.
“Manchester has one of the UK’s most vibrant business communities, but businesses need advisers who understand where they want to go, not just where they are today,” Harland said. “Our ambition is to build long-term relationships with businesses and individuals as they grow and become more complex, combining accessible senior advisers here in Manchester with expertise from across AAB. Strengthening our presence in the Manchester business community is important to us as a firm and we will contribute to the region through building a team that can support the region’s businesses for years to come.”
Creating Jobs and Opportunities
Emma Lancaster, chief executive officer at AAB, highlighted the firm's ambitious plans for the region. “Manchester is a major long-term investment for AAB. We have ambitious plans to build a 200 strong team, creating high-quality jobs and opportunities for the next generation of advisers in the region,” she said. “Our existing presence in Bolton has given us strong foundations in the North West, and Manchester is the next stage of that growth. Backed by the investment and ambition of the wider AAB business, we see a significant opportunity to bring our strong local relationships with the breadth of expertise increasingly complex businesses need.”
The expansion underscores AAB's commitment to the North West, leveraging its existing base in Bolton and the new Manchester office to support the region's growing business community.
