Smith Cooper System Partners continues expansion plans with new counterpart acquisition

Flint Bishop’s Corporate & Finance team has advised Derby-based accounting software partner, Smith Cooper System Partners, with the acquisition of Price Bailey Business Systems.

Based in Cambridge, Price Bailey Business Systems has more than 20 years of experience as a Sage Business Partner and has been acquired from parent company Price Bailey LLP.

Chris Smith, Managing Director at Smith Cooper System Partners, described the growth and progress of the company over the last six years as “immense” and this deal “is another important but sensible step on our journey.”

He also commented: “The acquisition of Price Bailey’s Sage division is a fantastic addition to our operation in the southern region and our business at large. From the early stages of discussions with the Price Bailey team, we recognised a synergy in the way we all believe a Sage business partner should work and how Sage 200 customers should be treated.

“However, we also recognised an opportunity for Smith Cooper to provide some assistance to the team and add even more value for the clients. I am naturally thrilled that Price Bailey has chosen Smith Cooper as the company best placed to work with them to move their business systems division forwards into a new era, whilst safeguarding the quality of service their clients currently enjoy.”

Martyn Brierley, Head of Corporate & Finance at Flint Bishop, said: “We’ve supported Smith Cooper System Partners on a number of their acquisitions, and so it was good to work with Chris again on this acquisition from Price Bailey LLP, another strategic acquisition in the growth of Smith Cooper System Partners’ already established position as a leading Sage Business Systems delivery partner.”

Divisional Manager at Price Bailey Business Systems, Alan Becker, added:

“We are immensely proud of our history as a quality Sage 200 support partner and have worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to achieve the reputation we enjoy today. Both myself and the team value the service we provide to our clients above all else and are very confident that Smith Cooper will not only retain our levels of service, but actually improve it with a wider team and an expanded service offering. I believe this is a fantastic development for our customers, suppliers and staff and I am looking forward to moving forward as part of Smith Cooper System Partners.”

Howard Sears and the senior team at Price Bailey LLP and Tees Law also advised on the deal.