The partnership welcomes Crowleys DFK, one of Ireland’s leading firms of accountants and business advisers into the Shaw Gibbs Group.  With 14 Partners and 131 employees operating over two offices in Dublin and Cork, Crowleys DFK have provided client-focused accountancy, advisory and associated services for more than 50 years.

This move is supported by further strategic investment from Apiary Capital, accelerating the growth of Crowleys DFK in the three core areas of: learning & development, technology, and succession planning.

Importantly, both Crowleys DFK and Shaw Gibbs are proud members of DFK International, a global alliance of accounting firms providing audit, tax and advisory services, working closely together across over 430 offices in over 90 countries.

Peter O’Connell, CEO of Shaw Gibbs said

“We have worked with James and the team at Crowleys DFK for several years, sharing knowledge and business strategies as well as working together on client matters. 

This partnership allows for an investment into the Crowleys DFK business and team to achieve further growth, development and investment into the geopolitically stable and business-friendly Irish market.

We are very pleased to welcome them to the Group.”

James O’Connor, Managing Partner of Crowleys DFK added

“We’re proud to be working with Shaw Gibbs, whose partnering philosophy, culture and strategy align closely with our own vision.

While this partnership represents a significant step forward, our day-to-day operations remain unchanged. Our firm name, brand, leadership team, and client relationships will continue as they are. This investment is about reinforcing our foundation, not altering it.

This partnership is more than financial - it’s a shared commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and impact. With our strengthened connection to the Shaw Gibbs Group and the financial support from its Investor, we are well-positioned to build on our success and shape the next chapter of our firm’s evolution.

This is a significant moment for our firm, and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”

This marks the 12^th transaction that the Shaw Gibbs Group have completed since  Apiary Capital’s investment in November 2022. The addition of Crowleys DFK to the Group will result in a practice with 70 Partners and 747 people based over 20 offices in Central & Southern England and Ireland.

About the Shaw Gibbs Group

Shaw Gibbs is a top 35 accountancy practice who provide expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals. Investing in teams of high-quality specialists, they work with the best-in-breed technology to create value for clients which exceeds expectation.

www.shawgibbs.com

About Crowleys DFK

Crowleys DFK is one of Ireland’s leading firms of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors.  With offices in Dublin and Cork, we have been providing client-focused audit, accountancy, financial advisory, taxation, corporate finance and consulting services for 50 years.

https://www.crowleysdfk.ie/

Angela brings a strong commitment to leadership development, collaboration, and regional connectivity. As Chair, she will work closely with the sub-committee to shape strategic initiatives that support professional growth, foster cross-border engagement, and build a strong pipeline of future leaders across the APAC region.

Alongside this leadership announcement, DFK APAC is delighted to highlight the addition of Wikky Goh Wang Chee as one of our newest Emerging Leaders members.

Wikky is an Audit Manager at JK Medora PAC in Singapore and a highly experienced Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years of expertise in auditing, financial management, and compliance. She has led audit teams across a broad range of industries, including multinational corporations, shipping, and education, and is recognised for her ability to resolve complex accounting matters while delivering exceptional client outcomes.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, Wikky brings deep technical expertise in compliance audits, risk management frameworks, and regulatory reporting. Her strong command of advanced audit tools and accounting software, combined with a practical and solutions-focused approach, makes her a valuable addition to the DFK APAC Emerging Leaders community.

The appointment of a new Chair and the continued growth of the Emerging Leaders group highlights DFK APAC’s commitment to developing talent, encouraging collaboration, and strengthening the future leadership of the profession across the region.

Kate leads the Corporation Tax team at BKL. Clients and colleagues benefit from her two decades of experience in guiding businesses through complex UK and international tax matters, particularly companies with audit requirements. Kate has been with the business since 2016 when she joined Wilson Wright, who came together with BKL in 2024.

Kate’s appointment recognises her commitment, shared by our tax specialists and the wider BKL team, to providing high-level advice to businesses and individuals through trusted long-term relationships.

Kate Gott said:

“I’m delighted to be starting a new year as BKL’s newest partner. Taking pride in all the clients who trust us to support their goals, and all my talented colleagues who have chosen to build a career in tax at BKL, I will continue to lead, to guide and to learn.

I’m looking forward to helping even more businesses make confident, strategic decisions in a fast-changing tax landscape.”

Lee Brook, CEO of BKL, said:

“I’m proud to welcome Kate to her next chapter at BKL. Her dedication to growth – our clients’, our tax practice’s and her own – make her an excellent addition to our senior leadership team.

I know that Kate will continue to earn loyalty through her strong relationships and expert advice.”

Kate’s appointment builds on the significant growth in BKL’s senior-level leadership and technical expertise in 2025, both within our tax team and across the business.

About BKL

BKL is a Top 40 firm of accountants, tax advisers and business advisers based in North London, the City of London and Cardiff.

BKL specialises in helping owner managed businesses, entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and families. Its clients benefit from deep expertise in key sectors, including property and construction, financial services, not-for-profit, and music, media, sport & entertainment.

BKL offers a comprehensive range of services including tax consultancy, audit, accounting, corporate finance and outsourcing. It also offers specialist advisory services including fractional CFO, IT, governance and sustainability.

BKL’s tax team includes dedicated senior-level specialists in transactions, VAT, divorce & separation, trusts, employment, property, estate & inheritance tax planning, tax risk & dispute resolution, global mobility and cryptocurrency.

BKL is a member of DFK UK & Ireland, a regional group within the DFK International alliance of 200+ accountancy firms in 90+ countries.

In 2023, BKL partnered with private equity investors CBPE, marking a major step in the growth of the business. Since then, four businesses have merged with BKL: accountancy firm Landau Baker; commercial finance specialists CFPro; accountancy firm Alan Heywood & Co; and accountancy & tax firm Wilson Wright, who became BKL’s City of London office.

BKL is committed to growing in a sustainable way. As a certified B Corporation (B Corp), BKL is verified as a business that acts with consideration for people, planet and purpose, not just profit.

BKL’s charitable foundation, The BKL Foundation, allocates a percentage of BKL’s annual profits to good causes locally, nationally and internationally.

In recent years, BKL has won Best Business Tax Practice at the Taxation Awards 2024, Best Employer in Tax at the Taxation Awards 2023 and Tax Team of the Year at the Accounting Excellence Awards 2023. Our senior tax & trust specialists are ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide and the Spear’s 500.