HLB Mann Judd adds new offices in Robina and Lismore
Accounting and consulting firm HLB Mann Judd has expanded in regional New South Wales and Queensland, with the audit & assurance practice of Thomas Noble & Russell joining the network.
Based in Lismore in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region and Robina on the Gold Coast, the rebranded offices will be led by a trio of industry veterans and partners: Kevin Franey, Adam Bradfield, and Richard Watkinson.
The additions take the independent member count of HLB Mann Judd to ten across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, with its coverage of every mainland state capital complemented by representative firms in Tasmania and Newcastle.
Thomas Noble & Russell (TNR) traces its heritage back 125 years, having been established in Lismore in 1899 as one of the region’s first ever accountancies. The wider business, which includes taxation, wealth management and other support services, is also an affiliate member firm of HLB, and has a headcount of around ten partners and 80 staff, including 25 specialist auditors.
“Strategically we’ve been considering our market presence for some time and it made sense to rebrand and restructure to a well-respected mid-tier where we were already part of the family,” Bradfield stated. “We believe the timing is right to expand within the association so we can continue to invest in innovation and technology to support our clients’ needs.”
Both accounting graduates of Southern Cross University in Lismore, Franey has been with the business for more than thirty-five years, while Bradfield joined from BDO in 2001. Watkinson is a more recent addition, crossing as a partner in 2020 after a decade at KPMG on the Gold Coast, with an earlier stint at PKF. Together, the trio boast eight decades worth of combined experience.
“The deep experience of Adam, Richard and Kevin in audit and corporate advisory offers a diversified skill set for clients in a number of areas, including the government and non-profit sectors as well as large private companies,” commented HLB Mann Judd chair Tony Fittler. “This aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing exceptional client service and technical excellence.”
