BKL is an accountancy firm that provides an exceptional level of service to over 5,000 clients nationwide with particular strengths in property, financial services and tax. Based in North London, BKL has over 200 employees. The business has a strong culture and clear values, reflected in their recently obtained B Corp status – the first accountancy firm of size to do so, obtaining a first-time pass and Impact Business Model status, reflecting their focus on employee development.
Partnership with CBPE will support continued investment in people and technology, allowing BKL to expand the breadth and depth of services offered to clients, in addition to pursuing strategic acquisition opportunities.
BKL has embraced technology across both internal operations and client delivery, and will use this investment to empower employees and help clients grow their businesses.
The investment in BKL continues CBPE’s successful track record of partnering with people-led professional services businesses and their management teams, including its current investment in Centralis and past investments in JTC and Xafinity.
With CBPE we don’t just get an investor: we get a partner. Their values – supporting the right people to do the right thing; building strong relationships – are an ideal fit for ours, as we look to build on BKL’s successes together while continuing our inclusive culture. We’re all excited about the journey ahead of us. Working with CBPE, we will be able to continue looking after our business now and in the future and to provide everyone at BKL with unprecedented opportunities.
We are delighted to be backing Lee and the team at BKL. BKL’s strong employee culture and values, empowered by investment in technology, drives an exceptional level of client service. The SME accountancy market is going through a period of transition and BKL is ideally placed to make the most of the opportunities to grow both organically and through strategic acquisitions. We are excited to be partnering with BKL as they embark on the next stage of their journey.
CBPE’s investment in BKL was led by Adam Richardson and Matthew Watmore, with support from Rachel Milton and Ian Moore.
CBPE was advised by PwC (Commercial, Financial, Tax), Addleshaw Goddard (Legal), FRP Advisory (Debt Advisory), and AJ Gallagher (Insurance). BKL was advised by JMW (Legal). Senior debt was provided by HSBC, who were advised by Travers Smith (Legal).
