Supported by Allica Bank, the move marks the next stage of growth for Tennick, strengthening its presence across both regions while investing further in its teams. As part of the expansion, the firm is preparing to recruit graduates for its Newcastle office and two additional team members in Herefordshire, creating opportunities for local talent while helping to develop the next generation of accountants and advisers.
For Tennick Chief Impact Officer, Graeme Tennick and Kinder Accountants founder Sharon Kinder, the decision was about far more than expansion. Both grew up around family businesses and wanted to work with a company that shared their belief that strong relationships should sit at the heart of business.
Rather than simply focusing on accounts and compliance, the combined business works alongside entrepreneurs to understand what success looks like for them personally as well as professionally – whether that means growing their company, spending more time with family, planning for the future, or achieving a better work-life balance.
Graeme said many business owners are struggling to find that balance, with too many feeling they have to choose between running their company and being present for the people around them. "I want to leave this world a better place than I found it. Business owners are screaming for help – they don't want to miss meal times and bed times because they are constantly tied up with their business," he said.
"One of our mottos is that we help people become the best version of themselves. That starts with understanding what success looks like to them personally, what success looks like in their business, and how we can help them measure the impact we're having together."
As part of this approach, Tennick supports business owners through initiatives including its TENX programme, which provides coaching and guidance to help clients build stronger, more sustainable businesses.
The firm also places community impact at the centre of its work. Each time a client accepts a proposal, they are given the opportunity to choose a local charity to receive a donation, with support currently going to organisations including Mind and Make-A-Wish across Newcastle and Herefordshire. Alongside this, Tennick is continuing to invest in local people through new graduate and early-career opportunities, helping to build the next generation of talent within the communities it serves.
Graeme said the coming together of Tennick and Kinder was driven by shared values rather than simply scale.
"This was never about a hard acquisition – it was about two businesses coming together because we believed we could create something stronger for our clients, our teams and our communities."
Sharon Kinder, founder of Kinder Accountants, added: "From our very first conversations, it was clear we shared the same values. We both believe accountancy is about building lasting relationships and giving business owners the confidence and support they need to succeed. Bringing our teams together felt like a natural next step."
The expansion has been supported by Allica Bank, which Tennick chose because of its own relationship-led approach to supporting established businesses.
Graeme added, "Relationships have become lost in parts of the banking and accounting industries. Technology should be there to strengthen those relationships, not replace them, and that's what attracted me to Allica. Ross and the team genuinely care about what's happening in our business and are always willing to pick up the phone and talk things through.
"That human-led, relationship-first approach is exactly how we work with our own clients. What I loved about Allica was the proactive support and the feeling that we had people alongside us who wanted to see us succeed."
Steve Grigg, Partnerships Manager, at Allica Bank, said: "Tennick Accountants is a brilliant example of an established business with ambitious plans for growth. What stood out was the thought and care Graeme and Sharon put into every decision, ensuring that growth continues to strengthen the support they provide to clients and communities."
"The coming together of Tennick and Kinder is built on shared values and a genuine commitment to helping other businesses succeed. We're delighted to have supported them through this next stage of their journey and look forward to seeing what they will achieve."
