Manchester-headquartered accountancy and tax advisory firm Alexander & Co has celebrated its 50th anniversary, reflecting on five decades of working with businesses across the city, including entrepreneurs and ambitious companies helping to shape its thriving digital and technology sector.
The firm marked the milestone with a professional partners' anniversary event at The Ivy Spinningfields, bringing together senior figures from Manchester's business community.
Founded in Manchester in 1976, Alexander & Co has grown alongside the city's business community. As the firm has developed organically, it has witnessed Manchester's transformation into a major UK centre for technology, digital, financial and professional services.
Today, Alexander & Co advises businesses across the digital economy, including SaaS and software companies, fintechs, ecommerce businesses, digital agencies, technology consultancies and fast-growing entrepreneurial ventures.
The firm supports clients throughout their lifecycle, from entrepreneurs establishing their first company to rapidly scaling businesses, management teams and established owner-managed groups. Its advice spans accountancy, taxation, business structuring and wider strategic and commercial considerations.
Manchester Digital highlights fintech, ecommerce, cyber security, SaaS and healthtech among the region's key digital subsectors, with AI and emerging technologies also becoming increasingly important to the local ecosystem.
For Alexander & Co, supporting businesses in these areas reflects both the changing nature of the regional economy and the firm's own evolution over five decades.
Supporting businesses through change
Welcoming guests at the anniversary event, Gary Kramrisch, Partner at Alexander & Co, reflected on the firm's relationship with the city and the importance of remaining independent.
“Fifty years is a significant milestone for any business, particularly one that has remained proudly independent throughout such a period of change. We have seen Manchester transform around us, and whilst Alexander & Co has evolved with it, our commitment to our clients, our people and the relationships we have built has remained constant.
“We have seen enormous growth in Manchester's digital and technology economy, and we are proud to work alongside many of the entrepreneurs and businesses driving that growth. These are often ambitious, fast-moving businesses, and they need advisers who understand not only the numbers, but the journey they are on.”
The firm works with organisations at different stages of development, from early-stage technology companies and founder-led businesses to established SaaS, fintech, ecommerce and digital organisations.
Its support can include helping founders establish appropriate structures, supporting investment and growth, advising on acquisitions or disposals and providing the financial and tax expertise required as companies scale.
Remaining independent after 50 years
Alexander & Co's anniversary comes at a time of significant consolidation across the accountancy and professional services sector, with firms increasingly becoming part of larger national groups and private equity-backed platforms.
For Alexander & Co, independence remains a deliberate part of its identity.
“Independence is an important part of who we are,” added Gary. “It allows us to take a long-term view, remain close to the businesses and individuals we advise, and make decisions with our clients' interests at the centre of what we do.
“That is particularly important when working with entrepreneurial and technology businesses, where relationships can develop over many years as a company grows and evolves. After 50 years, independence is not just part of our heritage, it remains central to how we see our future.”
The anniversary event provided an opportunity to recognise the professional relationships built over five decades while looking ahead to the next generation of businesses.
With the technology sector continuing to develop across areas including fintech, SaaS, ecommerce, cyber security, healthtech and emerging technologies, Alexander & Co expects the digital economy to remain an important part of its work with entrepreneurial businesses.
As it enters its sixth decade, the firm remains focused on providing independent, partner-led advice to the region's digital sector, including entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses and fast-growing organisations.
You can find out more about how Alexander & Co can assist your firm here.
