RSM US and UK agree on transatlantic partnership

The partners of RSM US and RSM UK approved a new transatlantic partnership structure in a nearly unanimous vote, effective Jan. 1, 2026, in the latest sign of global consolidation among Top 10 Firms. However, both firms plan to remain independent members of the RSM International network.

The agreement builds on a deal the two firms announced last October to combine forces, creating a firm with over 23,000 professionals and annual revenues of $5 billion, with locations in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Ireland, India and El Salvador. The Chicago- and London-based firms, which are both part of the RSM International network, have been working on the deal for the past year. They plan to further align their governance structure, taking a common approach to financial incentives, client service and future growth investments.

The RSM firms in Canada and Ireland will also be part of the mix. The new transatlantic partnership will involve a limited liability partnership that will be formed before Jan. 1, 2026, which will serve a centralized governance role based on certain authority delegated by RSM US, RSM Canada, RSM UK and RSM Ireland. The new transatlantic partnership will not service clients or otherwise engage in business activities. Each of the related firms will remain a separate legal entity for legal, regulatory and tax purposes. However, each of the related firms will be operating under the new centralized governance structure.

Micah Highland Photography

"We are excited to create a new transatlantic partnership with shared values, enhanced reach and connected resources," said RSM US managing partner and CEO Brian Becker in a statement Thursday. "The nearly unanimous vote in favor shows that partners from the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Ireland are excited to join forces to build a future where we are in an even stronger position to serve the evolving needs of clients and cement our position as the preeminent provider of services designed for the middle market."

In February, RSM International announced that its global revenue had grown to $10 billion in 2024, up 6% from 2023. 

"This announcement reflects a continuation of the transformation of the RSM business in the U.K. over the last five years," RSM UK CEO Rob Donaldson said in a statement. "We have been on a journey to become a more effective competitor to the largest players in the U.K. market whilst enhancing our ability to support our RSM network partners globally. This next step marks a defining moment in the journey of our firms on both sides of the Atlantic. In today's rapidly evolving market, our new partnership helps us make quicker, bolder decisions and investments to serve clients around the world."

In June, RSM US announced a $1 billion investment in agentic AI technology. "This bold step builds on the momentum of our other recent investments — including in artificial intelligence and our digital core, new service offerings, and integrated solutions — to stay ahead of clients' evolving needs," Becker stated. "It also positions us for accelerated growth, with a scalable structure designed to support a $10 billion multinational partner-owned platform in the future. Together, we look forward to driving enhanced value for our clients, partners and talented employees around the world."

The RSM firms in the U.S. and U.K. will retain some independence, unlike another Chicago-based Top 10 Firm, Grant Thornton, which has been steadily consolidating its Grant Thornton Advisors firms in the U.S., Ireland,  France, Spain, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg and the Channel Islands, after receiving a private equity investment from New Mountain Capital last year.

However, RSM hinted it may be adding more RSM firms to the new structure in the future. 

"We have, over the last 12 months, already seen new opportunities and tangible client wins that our firms could not have achieved independently," Donaldson stated. "We believe this is only the beginning, as clients increasingly see the benefits from our market-leading offerings on both sides of the Atlantic. This step forward also gives our talent new pathways for collaboration and cross-border engagements, paving the way for global learning that will enrich our people and strengthen our culture."