HLB Ireland acquires Galway firm OMB Chartered Accountants

First acquisition west of the Shannon part of strategy to add 150 employees to the group

Michael Flaherty, Frank Murtagh and John O’Beirn of OMB Chartered Accountants, with Bruce Stanley, Mark Butler, and Finbarr Gantley of HLB Ireland.

Accountancy firm HLB Ireland has acquired Galway-based OMB Chartered Accountants as it announced a new three-year growth plan with the aim of adding 150 new employees to the group.

HLB Ireland, which is based in Sandyford, Dublin, is part of the Mentora Group which currently employs 200 people across HLB, as well as its managed technology services business FutureRange. 

As part of its three-year growth plan, the business plans to add another 150 employees through a combination of direct recruitment, investment in its existing businesses, and complementary acquisitions.

The acquisition of OMB Chartered Accountants is its first acquisition of an accountancy practice west of the Shannon. OMB has about 500 clients with expertise across food manufacturing, construction, medical devices and private clients, including medical professionals.

“Its sector expertise was a key factor in the acquisition, adding further depth and scale in areas that are central to Mentora Group’s growth strategy,” HLB said.

“OMB has built its business through long-standing client relationships, trusted advice and a detailed understanding of the sectors in which its clients operate. The acquisition gives HLB Ireland an established presence in Galway and a stronger platform for growth across the west of Ireland, while adding further expertise to support clients across the wider group.” 

Managing partner of HLB Ireland as well as chief executive of Mentora Group Mark Butler said OMB “brings an experienced team, long-standing client relationships and deep expertise across food manufacturing, construction, medical devices and private clients”.

“These are important sectors for Mentora Group, and the combination strengthens both the expertise and scale we can bring to existing and new clients.”

Partner at OMB Chartered Accountants John O’Beirn said the company joining “HLB Ireland and Mentora Group allows us to retain the personal service our clients value while giving them access to a much wider range of financial, advisory and technology expertise”.

“It also creates exciting new opportunities for our people as we begin the next stage of our growth.” 

The Mentora Group added it would continue to pursue growth and “complementary acquisitions” where there is a “strong strategic and cultural fit, particularly among businesses with specialist sector expertise, high-quality teams and established client relationships”.

The Mentora group is backed by investment from Cardinal Capital.