Accounting and business services firm Baldwins, which has a branch in Newport, has rebranded as Azets.

The business, which is a sponsor of the South Wales Argus Business Awards, is part of a South Molton accountancy firm.

Azets is the largest brand within the Cogital Group, one of the fast-growing global accounting, advisory and business services groups.

The rebrand creates a major presence in the UK accounting and business services market, with the scale and reach to serve businesses digitally and in person from the UK’s largest network of local offices.

Leading firms, Baldwins, Wilkins Kennedy and Campbell Dallas, along with all associated companies, are rebranding as Azets. Blick Rothenberg, which is shortly celebrating its 75th anniversary, will retain its name within the Azets business.

Clients across the enlarged Azets group and Blick Rothenberg will gain the benefits of significant synergies, including the option to access additional services, skill sets and an international offering, whilst retaining a personal local service. For employees, working under the Azets brand will allow access to outstanding career opportunities.

Unifying the brands represents the next phase in the group’s development.

The rebrand follows significant investment in technology, to enable a digitally enhanced yet personal approach to client service, where the focus is on providing outstanding service and commercially focussed advice, wherever the client might be located. The investment in technology gives clients access to a suite of traditional and technology-based services, including the group’s leading proprietary digital workplace technology “CoZone”.

David Owens, regional CEO of Azets for Wales, the West Country and the South West, said: “This rebrand is an opportunity. It was a measured decision to bring our businesses and people together, to create a better platform for all. Seeking improvement is good, achieving it is even better and I welcome this vision to developing a professional services firm that works smarter with its stakeholders.

"People and the trusted relationships we’ve all built is what makes the difference and having better access to each other across the region, nationally and Europe, is a great opportunity to benefit the thousands of clients and hundreds of staff in Wales, the West Country and the South West. We look forward to demonstrating that we can bring more to the table by deepening existing relationships and building new ones. As CEO of this far reaching region I see this as new union beyond a well - timed name change. Not just good for business - great for business.”

Dawn Marriott, CEO of Azets Group, said: “I am delighted to announce this milestone in our growth story today. We have now combined the strength of our individual entities, along with our UK heritage and our contemporary European name across seven countries. Unifying our brands was the next step in our groups’ development, enabling our 6,500 people to deliver a service of outstanding professional quality.

"This rebrand reflects the vision we set ourselves to be smart, effective and efficient partners to our clients. It allows us to demonstrate clearly who we are and to deliver the benefits of scale, whilst retaining our foundations and what sets us apart, the delivery of a personalised and localised service through our dynamic and collaborative teams – it’s a win for our 120,000 clients and for us.”