Pearse Trust is a privately-owned company, serving an international client base of banks, accounting and legal firms, and public and private sector organisations, the firm added. Founded in Dublin in the 1980s, the business has offices in Dublin, Belfast, London, Vancouver and Wellington, as well as an associated office in Mexico City. 

Griffon Solutions is a privately-owned, Mauritius-based company with more than 25 years of experience supporting international corporations, financial institutions, and high net worth individuals, the firm added. The team has cross-sector expertise in, among other areas, renewable energy, intellectual property, agriculture, real estate, trading, mining and corporate finance.

Welcoming the move, Michel van Leeuwen, group chief executive for Hawksford, said: “We are seeing both Ireland and Africa rapidly becoming major growth markets and are pleased to have secured local expertise with longstanding heritage and commitment within their respective markets. We look forward to joining up our capabilities and continuing to expand our service offering to our clients globally.”

Griffon Solutions and Pearse Trust will retain their teams as part of the transition to Hawksford, with no change of service to either company or existing clients, the firm added. The leadership in both markets will remain, with Joseph Hickey, founder of Pearse Trust, and Grainne Riordan, managing director, leading the Irish operations; and Richard Charrington, founder and managing director of Griffon Solutions, leading the business in Mauritius.