Wed, 17 Jun 2026 | BUSINESS NEWS
Fortus, a North Yorkshire accountancy and business advisory firm, has secured private equity backing, which will help it continue its buy-and-build growth strategy. The York-headquartered firm, which has additional offices in Leeds and Scarborough, has secured investment from LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group.
The backing will enable the company to continue targeting acquisition as it plans further expansion to its services and geographical footprint, complementing its existing presence across Yorkshire.
Fortus was founded in 2020 and has grown to become a 115-strong team, with specialists covering accountancy, tax, audit and other advisory services. The firm supports more than 4,500 SME clients across the region.
In addition to supporting M&A, the partnership with LDC will help drive continued investment in Fortus’ people and systems, as the firm seeks to expand the breadth of its service offering.
LDC is backing Fortus founder and Chief Executive Craig Herbert, Chief Operating Officer Andy Northern and Chief Marketing Officer Rich Burnett, who will all remain in their current roles to lead the next phase of the company’s growth.
The deal was led by Investment Manager Anthony West, Investment Executive Connie Smith, Origination Manager Sophie Isaacs and partner and Head of Yorkshire Dan Smith.
Following the investment, Anthony West and Dan Smith will join Fortus' board as non-executive directors, while Neil Cox will join as chair, bringing extensive private equity and M&A experience.
Craig Herbert, founder and CEO of Fortus, said: "This partnership is a culmination of a relationship we have developed with LDC over a number of years. The team at LDC understands what we're trying to do and is backing our ambition to build the leading regional firm of accountants and business advisors rooted firmly here in Yorkshire.”
“We believe their hands-on approach to supporting integration and growth, combined with the strength of their regional network and expertise in helping businesses like ours to scale, is exactly what the business needs at this point in its development. We're excited about what we can achieve together."
Dan Smith, partner and Head of Yorkshire at LDC, said that Fortus was “an exceptional business with genuine momentum and a clear strategy for the next phase.”
He continued: They've proved they can integrate acquisitions and drive organic growth – and we're excited to be backing them to continue that journey whilst continuing to deliver high quality, advisory-led services to their client base."
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