Accountancy and advisory firm Kreston Reeves has confirmed its merger with rival Spofforths, giving it greater reach across the South East.

The deal took effect on Wednesday, giving the new business 50 partners and more than 450 staff spread across 10 locations.

The board will include Nigel Fright as managing partner, Andrew Griggs as senior partner, Clive Stevens, the firm’s existing chairman and David Hurst as partner and managing director of Kreston Reeves Financial Planning.

They will be joined by Richard Spofforth and Bryan Elkins from Spofforths on the board of the wider firm, with will trade under Kreston Reeves’ name.

It adds Spofforths offices in Brighton, Chichester, Horsham and Worthing to Kreston Reeves’ sites in Canterbury, Chatham and Discovery Park, as well as London, Gatwick and Eastbourne.

Mr Fright said: “We are delighted to confirm the legal completion of this merger.

“Spofforths is a successful firm that shares our values and strong personal commitment to clients.

“By joining forces with a firm very similar to us in outlook, culture and ambition, we’ll be creating an organisation that will further enhance the services and expertise we are able to offer our clients as well as presenting further opportunities for all our people.”

Richard Spofforth said: “We are all looking forward to building a strong firm for the future that operates as an integrated Kreston Reeves – and which responds to all the changes going into 2017 and beyond.”