Mancunian stockbroker WH Ireland is looking at making several acquisitions in the coming months. The fast-growing company recently released a pre-close trading statement in which the board said it ‘once again anticipates being able to report record results’. For the first 11 months of the year turnover is a third higher than last year.

Much of the recent growth has come from acquiring teams of private client brokers and independent financial advisers across the west of the country and Wales to complement the group’s established business in the North-West. The company has also opened a string of new offices lately. Funds under management stand at £361 million.

Chief executive Laurie Beevers is keen to ‘expand into other areas of the UK such as the South and East’. Another major area of focus is Australia, following the acquisition in July of a 51 per cent interest in established Perth stockbroker DJ Carmichael. This company, like WH Ireland, offers services to both private and corporate clients.

‘We want to grow this business in a similar fashion to WH Ireland in the UK, by making small acquisitions,’ said Beevers. An obvious area to target is the east of the country, where the populous areas of Sydney and Melbourne lie.

At 132.5p, the broker is worth £21.2 million, which is modest compared to peers of a similar size. With the anticipated growth producing a forecast £2.9 million pre-tax profit this year, the shares may reward an investment.

W H Ireland	AIM	£14.5m	69.50p	0.00p
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Other company articles:
First-half loss at WH Ireland			18/08/2008
Marland group moves into broker			01/04/2008
WH Ireland on the prowl			30/07/2007
Ireland’s array of growth prospects			08/08/2006
Expansion continues at WH Ireland			01/08/2006