HLB Ireland, part of Mentora Group, this week announced the acquisition of Galway-based OMB Chartered Accountants, significantly expanding its presence in Galway and across the west of Ireland.
The transaction is HLB Ireland’s first acquisition of an accountancy practice based west of the Shannon. It builds on the firm’s existing client base in the region and brings a client base of approximately 500 businesses, professionals and private individuals into HLB Ireland.
OMB Chartered Accountants also adds an experienced Galway team with established expertise across food manufacturing, construction, medical devices, as well as a substantial private client practice that includes medical professionals. That sector expertise was a key factor in the acquisition. The combination will add further depth and scale in areas that are central to Mentora Group’s growth strategy and important to the economy of Galway and the wider west.
OMB Chartered Accountants has built a well-established practice through long-standing client relationships, trusted advice and a detailed understanding of the businesses and sectors it serves. Following the acquisition, clients will retain the close relationships and local knowledge they value while gaining access to a broader range of specialist capabilities through HLB Ireland and Mentora Group. These include accounting and audit, tax consulting, advisory, corporate finance, technology, AI enablement and cybersecurity, alongside the international expertise available through the global HLB network.
The acquisition forms part of Mentora Group’s wider strategy to build an integrated professional services business with strong regional roots across the island of Ireland. Mentora Group currently employs 200 people across HLB Ireland and FutureRange, its managed technology services business. Separately, the group today announces plans to add a further 150 people over the next three years across the island of Ireland through direct recruitment, continued investment in its existing businesses and complementary acquisitions. The group is backed by investment from Cardinal Capital.
Mark Butler, Managing Partner of HLB Ireland and CEO of Mentora Group, said this is a significant step for HLB Ireland in Galway and the west of Ireland. “OMB Chartered Accountants has built an excellent practice, supported by an experienced team, long-standing client relationships and a deep understanding of the businesses and communities it serves.
“The acquisition is about much more than geography. OMB Chartered Accountants brings considerable expertise across food manufacturing, construction, medical devices and private clients, which are important areas of focus for Mentora Group.
“We also see considerable potential to grow our work with businesses and private clients where Galway and the wider west have strong capabilities, ambitious management teams and growing demand for integrated accounting, advisory and technology support.”
John O’Beirn, Partner at OMB Chartered Accountants, said OMB Chartered Accountants has been built on trusted, long-standing relationships with businesses, professionals and private clients across Galway and the wider region. It was important to us to join a firm that understood the value of those relationships and shared our commitment to personal service.
“Joining HLB Ireland and Mentora Group allows us to retain that local approach while giving our clients access to a much broader range of financial, advisory and technology expertise. It also creates new opportunities for our people and strengthens the support we can provide as our clients’ needs continue to evolve.”
Mentora Group will continue to pursue organic growth and complementary acquisitions where there is a strong strategic and cultural fit, particularly among businesses with established regional relationships, specialist sector expertise and high-quality teams.
