Two of Bridgwater Chamber’s accountancy members have merged with larger companies to create two comprehensive accountancy firms within the South West.

Thomas Westcott will join forces with Butterworth Jones of Bridgwater to create a combined business with 24 partners and 190 staff across 18 offices in Devon and Somerset.

Whilst another Bridgwater Chamber member, a South West accountancy firm founded in 1919 and now operates from seven offices around the region has agreed a merger which will create a business with revenues of £38m and almost 600 employees. Francis Clark is to merge with Princecroft Willis, an accountancy practice in Dorset and Hampshire. The merged firm, which will retain the name Francis Clark, will operate from nine offices and employ 580 staff when the deal completes in April.