Wed, 09 Sep 2026 | BUSINESS NEWS
Shaw Gibbs, an accountancy firm that has completed 14 acquisitions since receiving investment from Apiary Capital in 2022, has secured the backing of a new private equity partner. The company’s recent acquisitions include Alliotts, Martin and Company, and Crowleys DFK in Ireland.
The investment from growth-focused mid-market firm ECI Partners provides a realisation for Apiary Capital, which has helped Shaw Gibbs expand its client base to approximately 25,000 and extend its reach across the UK and Ireland over the past four years.
Shaw Gibbs selected ECI Capital due to the firm’s strong track record in financial services, following successful investments in businesses including KB Associates and IGG.
Peter O’Connell, Shaw Gibbs Chief Executive (pictured above), said that ECI Capital’s backing reflects the strength of the business and the success of its strategy so far, as well as its "continued position as a firm of choice for talented people, clients and high-quality firms looking to join us.”
O’Connell continued: "With Apiary Capital's support, we have built a market leading accountancy firm, and I am excited to partner with ECI for this next stage of our growth.”
"They understand our focus on culture and clients and offer hands on support for continuing to invest in the team and innovation through technology, which will support further sustainable growth.”
ECI Partner Michael Butler said that Shaw Gibbs stood out as “one of the most client-centric businesses in the accountancy space, with the platform to scale their consistently high-quality service.”
Butler praised the breadth of Shaw Gibbs’ offering, the company’s culture and employee proposition and its “track record of integrating high-quality businesses, gives them an excellent platform for further growth.”
Apiary Capital Partner Chris Heawood added: "We are incredibly proud to have been a part of Shaw Gibbs' journey following our initial investment almost four years ago.”
"Since then, Peter and the wider leadership team have transformed the business, growing the team from 100 to over 800 people, while retaining a dynamic and collaborative culture, and continuing to deliver exceptional client service.”
Read more about how private equity investment is helping to define consolidation in the UK's accountancy sector
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