Freeths advises MHA plc on proposed acquisition of MS UAE, continuing strategic international expansion

Leading law firm Freeths has advised accountancy firm MHA plc on the proposed acquisition of multiple entities Moore Stephens LLC and Moore Stephens Consulting LLC, both operating in the United Arab Emirates.

Established in 1999 and known collaboratively as MS UAE, both audit practice Moore Stephens LLC and tax and consulting services firm Moore Stephens Consulting LLC will now rebrand to MHA following completion, which is subject to regulatory approval in the UAE.

Headquartered in Dubai, MS UAE is one of the leading professional accounting practices in the region and has branch offices in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Sharjah and Hamriyah Free Zone, and is approved to provide services across all major sectors and free zones in the country.

The acquisition aligns with MHA’s strategy to pursue selective cross-border opportunities that enhance its international presence and service capability across key growth markets.

Leading the Freeths team on this deal was ECM-specialist and London Corporate Partner Jeremy Swift and Corporate Senior Associate Georgie Glover. They were supported by Tax Partner Claire Boyce and Managing Associate Nur Alzubeydi, and IP and Media Partner Iona Silverman.

Commenting on the deal, Jeremy Swift said: “This proposed acquisition represents a significant step in MHA’s international growth strategy, strengthening its footprint in a strategically important market and enhancing capabilities across audit, tax and consulting. Building on our role advising MHA on its successful AIM IPO earlier this year, we’re delighted to support the team on another milestone transaction and look forward to completion.”

Freeths’ work on this acquisition follows the firm’s role advising MHA on its IPO on AIM at a £250m pre-new money valuation, raising £95.8m from institutional investors alongside a retail offering to British investors earlier this year, which marked a milestone in MHA’s growth and capital markets journey.

Steve Moore, CFO at MHA, added: “Expanding into the UAE deepens our international platform and positions MHA to serve clients across key global hubs. MS UAE’s strong financial track record, sector breadth and cultural alignment make it an excellent fit. Freeths’ clear, commercially minded guidance, following their support on our AIM IPO, has been invaluable in shaping a transaction that we expect to be earnings enhancing in the first full year post completion. We’re grateful to Jeremy and Georgie, and the wider Freeths team for their guidance and expertise throughout this latest transaction, and we look forward to working together on our next strategic acquisition.”