Accountancy and tax specialist Kilsby Williams has shared its role in supporting Glamorgan Cricket through the landmark investment deal that brought Welsh Fire under the joint ownership of Glamorgan and Sanjay Govil, a US-based tech entrepreneur, who also owns the Washington Freedom MLC franchise.
The transaction formed part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s £520m process relating to The Hundred competition and created a new 50:50 ownership structure for the Cardiff-based professional franchise team.
Kilsby Williams advised Glamorgan Cricket on the sales process, providing specialist advice on the accounting treatment and financial implications of the transaction, helping the Club to navigate a complex process and ensuring appropriate financial reporting throughout.
The transaction resulted in Glamorgan Cricket acquiring a 50% stake in Welsh Fire, securing significant long-term investment into the competition while creating a structure to support the future growth and sustainability of the team.
With Welsh Fire now competing in its first Hundred campaign under the new ownership model, Kilsby Williams has also completed its first year as the team’s auditors.
Welsh Fire had been impressed by the qualities and expertise demonstrated by Kilsby Williams as Glamorgan Cricket’s auditors, who the Newport-based firm has been working with since 2023 after successfully winning a competitive tender process.
Through their work with Glamorgan, the firm’s strong understanding of the organisation, highly responsive and communicative approach, and ability to provide pragmatic advice made them a natural choice to support Welsh Fire.
Ynyr Merfyn, finance director at Glamorgan Cricket, said: “Kilsby Williams have become a trusted adviser to Glamorgan Cricket and Welsh Fire through a number of significant projects over recent years. Following their appointment as our auditors in 2023, they provided valuable support and guidance throughout The Hundred investment process and have continued to demonstrate a high level of expertise and professionalism.
“What stands out most is their pragmatic, straightforward approach and the accessibility of the team. Jonathan Harrhy, Rob Meredith and their colleagues are highly knowledgeable, responsive and always available when we need advice. Their understanding of our organisation and the wider sporting landscape has made them an invaluable partner.”
Jonathan Harrhy, partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “In recent years we have been fortunate to work with Glamorgan Cricket, developing a strong working relationship and supporting the Club across a range of audit, accounting and strategic advisory matters.
“From the start of our relationship with the Club, we have invested a significant amount of time to get to know business thoroughly and fully understand its operations. This detailed, partner-led approach has enabled us to provide trusted advice to the Club, and now Welsh Fire, based on strong sector knowledge and take a practical collaborative approach to support key developments.”
