Hillier Hopkins Time Line

1933: Langford Lewis and John Hillier practised in Luton as Lewis Hillier & Co. In 1938 the practice expanded to Hemel Hempstead with temporary offices in the garden of Mrs Lighbody in Alexandra Road.

1943: Leonard Hopkins, who had served Articles in Portsmouth, joined the firm on a pre-partnership basis based in the Luton office. In 1948 the Hemel office moved to more permanent premises at 43 Marlowes.

1952: Upon becoming Partner, Len Hopkins moved from the Luton to the Hemel office. Langford Lewis, who had no active part in the Hemel office, ceased as a Partner with the admission of Kenneth Winward. The firm became know as Hillier Hopkins & Co.

1953: Kenneth Winward was servicing an increasing number of Watford and Bushey based clients from the old Sargant practice, justifying the opening of a new office in Watford in 1954, where three small rooms were taken at the rear of 28 Station Road.

1957: Following the merger of the Society of Accountants and Auditors and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Hillier Hopkins & Co became ‘Chartered’ Accountants.

1978: the continued growth of the firm led to further significant recruitment and the acquisition of an office at College road in Harrow. In 1979 Len Hopkins retired at the age of 60 but continued to serve the firm as a consultant.

1986: the Watford office moved from St Albans Road to St. Martin’s House, Clarendon Road.

1997: Hillier Hopkins merged with Gibson Appleby, who had offices in Brighton, Enfield and Aylesbury. As part of the merger the Enfield office aligned with the Hillier Hopkins’ Watford office. The firm maintained the Aylesbury branch of Gibson Appleby, shortly followed by the opening of the Alton House Office Park offices.

1999: The firm merged with Geo Little Sebire of Harpenden, who amalgamated with the Hemel Hempstead office.

2003: Hillier Hopkins & Co became a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).

2004: Burnhams Limited, formerly of Eastcote in Middlesex, was amalgamated with the Watford office. Blue Touch Technologies, an interactive window display and design company, moved into the Hemel Hempstead office as part of an alliance.

2007: The Watford office move from St. Martin’s House down the road to 64 Clarendon Road into a brand new building.

2008: The firm celebrates 75 years of business and merges with London based firm Badger Hakim, with an additional 2 Principals, Ross Badger and Jonathan Franks, and 15 extra staff. Hillier Hopkins operates out of a London office on Dover Street.