MHA completes acquisition of Moore Stephens in the UAE

MHA has successfully completed its merger with Moore Stephens, a UAE-based audit and advisory firm.

MHA is a UK-headquartered professional services provider of audit and assurance, tax, accountancy and advisory services. Following the merger with Moore Stephens, MHA now employs close to 2,400 people and has 157 partners across its network of 37 offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, South-East Europe, the UAE and the Cayman Islands.

Announced in December last year, the addition of Moore Stephens marks a next step in MHA’s international growth strategy and reflects its commitment to deepening its presence in the UAE and wider region.

“This milestone underscores our confidence in the UAE despite current ongoing regional developments, and in the country’s regulatory environment, business infrastructure, and role as a gateway for regional growth,” said MHA in a statement.

Moore Stephens was founded in Dubai in 1999 and provides audit, tax, advisory and corporate services. The firm operates from its Dubai headquarters with branch offices in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Jebel Ali Free Zone, Sharjah and is an approved auditor with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and service provider in all other major free zones in the country.

Following the deal’s closing, Moore Stephens will trade as MHA UAE.

Bayhaan Lakdawala, Managing Partner of MHA UAE, commented: “This transaction is a testament to our confidence in the UAE as a stable and forward-looking business hub. It also reinforces the UAE’s standing as a resilient and attractive destination for foreign investment, supported by strong governance, progressive policies, and a diversified economic base. We remain committed to investing further and building long-term partnerships.”