Private equity-backed advisory firm acquires specialist music boutique
Mid-tier accountancy and advisory firm BKL has snapped up a smaller counterpart in its latest acquisition, aiming to strengthen its focus on the music, media, and entertainment sector in London.
City-based BKL, which offers tax, accounting, and business advisory services, has snapped up specialist music accountancy firm Dales Evans, as it “continues to expand its footprint in the London market.”
The professional services firm already boasts a portfolio of multi-platinum recording artists and bands, touring musicians who require international tour accounting services, independent record labels, and music managers and booking agents, and the acquisition will help it expand this further.
“Having strong, genuine relationships is what makes everything work in the music, media and entertainment sector, and Dales Evans brings these in abundance. Dales Evans’ clients will continue to receive the same close, personal service they know, now backed by the breadth of resource and technical depth that BKL offers,” Tim Gazzard, music, media, sport and entertainment partner at BKL, told Morning Wire.
Firm’s fifth acquisition since PE backing
The acquisition marks BKL’s fifth since it secured investment from private equity backer CBPE in 2023, and follows its merger with music-focused accountancy boutique Alan Heywood in 2024.
Lee Brook, chief executive of BKL, said Dales Evans “bring with them an exceptional reputation and deep experience in a specialist sector that strengthens our capability to deliver high-quality trusted advice to our clients.”
“Bringing the team on board strengthens our position in music, media and entertainment as we continue to build a broad-based business advisory firm that combines deep technical expertise with the personal approach our clients value.”
BKL has actively recruited former Big Four partners over the years, including from Deloitte and PwC, and a spokesperson for BKL said the firm is “increasingly drawing interest from top talent in the sector.”