UK and Ireland professional services firm AAB has opened a new office in Manchester, marking a significant step in its strategy to build a major presence serving scaling businesses across the North West.
Located within the landmark No.1 St Michael’s development, the new base represents a long-term investment in the city and builds on AAB’s existing operations in Bolton, where the firm already employs around 70 people. The Manchester office forms part of wider ambitions to grow a regional team of more than 200 staff.
Backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, AAB is aiming to establish a full-service offering in Manchester, bringing together partner-led client relationships with expertise from across its UK and Ireland network. The move is designed to support businesses as they scale and face increasingly complex operational and financial challenges.
The Manchester operation will be led by Chris Harland, Head of the North West, and will offer services spanning audit, tax, business advisory, corporate finance, outsourced finance support, payroll, employment and financial planning. The audit team includes Head of Audit Gary Harding, alongside Partners Muhammad Sharif and Alison Cornes, with Sarah Frith as Director. Business Advisory Partners Adam Woodward and Dominic Grimes, as well as Office of the CFO Director Joanne Waddicker, will also be based in the city.
Additional support comes from Business Development Partner Chris Cook-Martin and People and Culture Director Jonathan Readshaw, underlining the firm’s focus on both client growth and talent development.
Chris Harland said: “Manchester has one of the UK’s most vibrant business communities, but businesses need advisers who understand where they want to go, not just where they are today.
“Our ambition is to build long-term relationships with businesses and individuals as they grow and become more complex, combining accessible senior advisers here in Manchester with expertise from across AAB. Strengthening our presence in the Manchester business community is important to us as a firm and we will contribute to the region through building a team that can support the region’s businesses for years to come.”
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Founded in Aberdeen in 1990, AAB has grown into a £200m+ revenue business employing more than 1,800 people across the UK, Ireland and the US. The firm secured investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives in 2025 to support its continued expansion, including investment in talent and technology.
Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer at AAB, said: “Manchester is a major long-term investment for AAB. We have ambitious plans to build a 200-strong team, creating high-quality jobs and opportunities for the next generation of advisers in the region.
“Our existing presence in Bolton has given us strong foundations in the North West, and Manchester is the next stage of that growth. Backed by the investment and ambition of the wider AAB business, we see a significant opportunity to bring our strong local relationships with the breadth of expertise increasingly complex businesses need.”
