Prime Highlights :
- AAB launches a new Manchester office as part of a wider plan to grow its presence and serve scaling businesses across the North West.
- The firm aims to add more than 150 people in North West England, building toward a 200 strong Manchester team.
Key Facts :
- Founded in Aberdeen in 1990, AAB grew into a combined firm of more than 1,800 people across 23 locations after acquiring Kreston Reeves in early 2026.
- The Manchester office launches at No.1 St Michael’s and builds on AAB’s existing Bolton base of 70 team members.
Background :
UK and Ireland accounting firm AAB has opened a new office in Manchester as part of its plan to support scaling businesses across the North West, with ambitions to add more than 150 people to its regional headcount.
Founded in Aberdeen in 1990, AAB has pursued a strategic expansion plan in recent years. Backed by investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives aimed at accelerating growth across the UK and Ireland, the firm acquired Kreston Reeves at the start of 2026, forming a combined business of more than 1,800 people across 23 locations and extending its reach from London and the South East to the rest of the UK and Ireland.
The new Manchester hub, based at the landmark No.1 St Michael’s development, marks a long-term investment for the firm and builds on its existing Bolton office, where 70 team members are currently based. AAB aims to grow the Manchester team to more than 200 people over time.
Chris Harland, head of the North West at AAB, said Manchester’s vibrant business community needs advisers who understand where businesses are headed, not just where they stand today. He said the firm aims to build long-term relationships by pairing accessible senior advisers in Manchester with expertise from across AAB.
The Manchester team, led by Harland, will cover audit, tax, business advisory, corporate finance, outsourced finance support, payroll, employment and financial planning, with senior figures including Gary Harding, Muhammad Sharif, Alison Cornes and Sarah Frith supporting the audit practice.
AAB CEO Emma Lancaster called Manchester a major long-term investment for the firm, adding that the expansion builds on its strong Bolton foundations and reflects growing demand from increasingly complex businesses for AAB’s combined local relationships and broad expertise.