BKL, the mid-tier accountancy and advisory firm backed by private equity, has acquired specialist music accountancy firm Dales Evans in its latest expansion move.
The City-based firm, which provides tax, accounting, and business advisory services, said the deal furthers its ambition to expand its footprint in the London market.
BKL already serves a portfolio of multi-platinum recording artists and bands, touring musicians requiring international tour accounting, independent record labels, and music managers and booking agents.
The acquisition of Dales Evans is intended to build on that existing client base and deepen BKL’s capabilities across the music, media, and entertainment sector.
Tim Gazzard, music, media, sport and entertainment partner at BKL, said strong client relationships are central to the rationale behind the deal.
“Having strong, genuine relationships is what makes everything work in the music, media and entertainment sector, and Dales Evans brings these in abundance,” Gazzard said.
“Dales Evans’ clients will continue to receive the same close, personal service they know, now backed by the breadth of resource and technical depth that BKL offers,” he added.
The deal marks BKL’s fifth acquisition since securing private equity investment from CBPE in 2023, reflecting an accelerating consolidation strategy across the professional services market.
It follows BKL’s merger with Alan Heywood, another music-focused accountancy boutique, which completed in 2024, underscoring the firm’s deliberate targeting of the entertainment sector.
Lee Brook, chief executive of BKL, said Dales Evans “bring with them an exceptional reputation and deep experience in a specialist sector that strengthens our capability to deliver high-quality trusted advice to our clients.”
Brook added that “bringing the team on board strengthens our position in music, media and entertainment as we continue to build a broad-based business advisory firm that combines deep technical expertise with the personal approach our clients value.”
BKL has also been building its broader talent pipeline, having actively recruited former Big Four partners from firms including Deloitte and PwC in recent years.
A spokesperson for BKL noted the firm is “increasingly drawing interest from top talent in the sector,” signalling further growth ambitions beyond this latest transaction.