A Long-Standing Partnership Supporting SMH Group Through Continued Growth
Jonathon Dickens, CEO, SMH Group
SMH Group is a fast-growing accountancy and financial services firm with a strong and growing presence across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Their relationship with CMP Legal, and particularly Anna Cattee, has been built over nearly a decade, shaped by trust, straight-talking advice and consistent support across corporate, commercial and private matters.
In 2025, CMP Legal’s Corporate team, led by Anna Cattee, advised SMH Group on the acquisition of Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, a transaction that forms a key part of SMH’s long-term growth plans.
SMH Group CEO, Jonathon Dickens, reflects on his long-standing relationship with Anna and CMP Legal.
A Relationship Built Over Nearly 10 Years
SMH Group has worked with CMP Legal from the firm’s earliest days, following Corporate Partner Anna Cattee through her career before she founded CMP.
Jonathon explained that the relationship has always been driven by clarity, trust and the ability to cut through complexity.
“Anna knows how I think and explains things in a way that’s straightforward, which helps me make decisions. She’ll put it in legal terminology because she has to, then explain it in real terms in a way which is easy to understand and digest.”
This ease of communication has been a constant theme over the years and is a key reason SMH Group continue to work with CMP, even as the business grew and took on private equity investment. Jonathon noted that when choosing an investor, it was important that he retained control over who the firm used for legal work.
“I trust CMP. I know exactly where I stand with them.”
Working Together Across Clients and Services
The relationship between SMH Group and CMP Legal goes far beyond single transactions. CMP advise SMH Group directly, but also work with many of SMH’s own clients across various areas including:
- mergers and acquisitions
- commercial work
- corporate governance such as shareholder agreements
- employment advice
- dispute resolution
Because of the size of the SMH Group’s client base, having reliable legal partners is essential.
“If we recommend someone, it’s an extension of our service. We only pass clients to people we trust. With CMP, I can just say ‘speak to these guys’, and that’s it. I know whatever I am referring them for is dealt with promptly and professionally. I don’t need to check in on anything, or chase them up on my client’s behalf, they just get things done.”
Supporting SMH Group’s Acquisition Strategy
SMH Group has a clear strategic plan to become a top 50 accountancy firm in the UK over the next few years. This growth will come through both organic development and selective acquisitions of strong regional practices.
In line with SMH’s long-term plans, the acquisition of Mitchells brought together two well-known local firms with shared values and complementary strengths.
Jonathon emphasised that CMP were already well placed to advise because of the history of previous transactions.
“CMP have probably handled around 10 acquisitions for us now. They know how we structure deals. They know the questions before we even ask them. It’s streamlined and smooth.”
Managing a Complex Transaction
Acquisitions of this nature are always somewhat complex. Alongside the purchase of Mitchells, SMH Group were:
- undertaking a wider business reorganisation
- working with their new private equity investors’ legal team
- completing a fundraising exercise
- managing day-to-day business operations
CMP worked alongside multiple advisers, including the investors’ lawyers, and coordinated the legal process working with a number of parties all involved in the transaction.
CMP’s work in this transaction included:
- dealing with the buyside of the corporate transaction involving all the usual due diligence and contract work.
- liaising with investor lawyers on equity suite documents for this transaction as a well as a reorganisation occurring alongside; and
- liaising with bank lawyers and funding lawyers;
“We were spinning three plates at once with multiple advisers. I think we had a completion call with about ten lawyers on it. With CMP, I trust the process. When Anna says, ‘we need to talk about this’, I know it’s important.”
This mix of trust, familiarity with SMH’s structure and knowledge of previous deals meant CMP were able to progress the matter without repeatedly revisiting old ground.
The Personal Side of Partnership
While the professional relationship is strong, Jonathon also acknowledged the personal rapport that has built up over the years.
“There’s complete trust there. That’s the biggest compliment I can give.”
This trust extends beyond SMH’s own dealings. Jonathon regularly refers friends to CMP as well as clients, confident they will be looked after.
Looking Ahead
SMH Group has grown successfully since its formation in 1995, expanding its services, footprint and client base across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Their continued success is built on long-term relationship a clear growth strategy and the ability to adapt as the firm evolves.
With further expansion planned, CMP Legal will continue to support SMH Group as they build on their long-term success.