History of McGills

August 2024

McGills joins forces with one of the south-west’s leading accountancy firms, Monahans. This merging of expertise is helping clients reach a deeper pool of services and knowledge from across the group, which itself can trace its roots back to the 1890s.

Today

McGills continues to evolve, using the latest remote access technology to help clients. However, some things remain the same – the firm still pledges to deliver straight talking, no nonsense advice, helping our clients to save time, money and tax.

April 2022

McGills acquires Mitchell & Sarjent in Fairford. The acquisition means we now have offices in Cirencester, Malmesbury and Fairford, enabling us to serve clients from across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The new McGills Fairford location at 3 Market Place, is the former office of Mitchell & Sarjent, following the retirement of their Principal, Rebecca Sarjent after more than 25 years at the helm of the business.

August 2020

Helen Jones joined McGills as a partner on 1st August 2020.

May 2019

Alison Palmer retires.

April 2018

The circle is completed when McGills purchases Oakley House from the estate of John McGill and from John Moules who is thankfully still with us. Since that time the opportunity has been taken to modernize the building – a journey which is still continuing.

February 2019

Sharla Dandy is made a Partner.

March 2017

Sharla Dandy joins McGills as a Partner Designate.

June 2016

McGills celebrates its 50 year anniversary. A Bedouin style marquee is erected in the grounds of Oakley House and the team are joined by clients, local businesses and former partner, John Moules, who has maintained strong links with the firm since his retirement.

2015

McGills purchases Malmesbury Accounting in Malmesbury

2006

Michael Simmons retires. Simon takes on the role of lead partner. As everyone already refers to the practice simply as ‘McGills’ he changes the name to reflect this, dropping ‘& Co’.

2005

McGills purchases Balcombe & Co in Lechlade

March 2004

Alison Palmer becomes a Partner. Together, Simon and Alison take the practice forward, to become the accountancy firm that it is today, increasing staff numbers.

February 2002

Alison Palmer joins the practice as a Partner Designate.

2002

John Moules retires.

1996

Simon Nuttall is made a Partner

August 1992

Simon Nuttall joins the practice.

1987

John retires as a Partner, although he continues to be involved with the firm on a consultancy basis until the early Nineties.

1979

As a result of the expansion, the partners purchase what is perhaps the most recognizable feature of McGills – Oakley House next to the Old Station, on Tetbury Road.

Early 1970s

Over the next few years McGills rapidly expands and John McGill is joined by John Moules and later by Michael Simmons to bring the practice to three partners

May 1966

Having worked in Cirencester for some years, John decides to take on the practice himself and so McGill & Co is born. Its initial premises are based in Thomas Street.

Early 1960s

John McGill joins Curtis Jennings and Cornwall in Bristol and sets up their Cirencester branch. A few years later the firm is taken over by a larger firm of accountants who declare that the Cirencester office does not form part of their future plans.

1945

John McGill, like many, served in the Second World War. Returning home at the end of the war, he decides to enter the accountancy profession.

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Cirencester office
Oakley House, Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1US
Malmesbury office
14a The High Street, Malmesbury, SN16 9AU
Fairford office
3 Market Pl, Fairford GL7 4AB
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