DAC and Berrymans enter merger talks

Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) and Berrymans Lace Mawer have been engaging in secret merger talks.

Nick Sinfield, managing director of troubled firm DAC, met Berrymans Lace Mawer senior partner Paul Taylor last month to discuss a possible merger.

A source close to Berrymans says: "He [Taylor] was seeing if there was anything on the table for discussion."

However Berrymans Lace Mawer partner David Wilkinson denies there is any "present intention" to pursue a merger, although he confirms a meeting has taken place. He adds: "I wouldn't rule it out."

Wilkinson says: "We are looking for ways to strengthen particular parts of the practice in the regions, and we are talking to other firms."

Ex-DAC partner Ambereen Salamat, who left to join DJ Freeman in May, says she is "not surprised" by the talks.

DAC was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.