William Buck expands to Canberra through Link Capital merger
Accounting and consulting network William Buck has expanded into the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) via a hook-up with Canberra-based financial services advisory Link Capital Partners, its fifth merger in five years.
William Buck said the strategic acquisition would fill a noticeable gap in the Canberra market for a fully integrated firm with a focus on the middle market, while allowing it to better assist government agency clients.
Despite having a local pedigree dating back to 1895, William Buck’s recently appointed NSW managing partner Greg Travers said the merger with Link Capital represented a significant milestone in the firm’s history.
“Link Capital is distinguished by its robust practices and strong relationships in the ACT,” Travers stated. “This merger lays a solid foundation for growth, and we plan to strategically expand our expertise to better serve clients in the region. With our optimal size and footprint, we’re also well-equipped to assist government agencies in promoting transparency and accountability in their use of public resources.”
Link Capital itself was established in Canberra just three years ago amid the ongoing Covid-19 fallout by former P2 Advisory pair Angus Kenyon and Ben Weber, who will now join William Buck as partners alongside Domenic De Marco together with a team of around two dozen professionals. The firm is now expecting that number to bump up to as much as 50 within the next 18 months.
“The merger with William Buck provides us with a great foundation to build something really special in Canberra,” Kenyon stated. “Our local knowledge, combined with the backing of a national firm, is pretty powerful. Joining William Buck enables us to deliver a broader range of services and deeper technical knowledge with the same personalised approach that our clients have come to expect.”
Currently ranked as the country’s 11th largest network of its kind, with just $3 million in revenues separating the firm from PKF in tenth spot, William Buck has been going through a major senior leadership transition since the beginning of last year. The firm has also been tacking on acquisitions across the country over the past five years, including in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and north and west Sydney.
