Firms’ merger plans to capitalise on dispute resolution services
The Sunday Business Post, 10 April 2011
By Nicola Cooke
The accountancy firm Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon is to merge with the Polaris HR consultancy, in a deal to boost its dispute resolution services.
Alternative dispute resolution - a binding arbitration process that takes place outside the courts - has spiked in recent times as a result of increased redundancies , collapsed property deals and clashes over contracts. Polaris HR is a significant player in this specialist field, and was seen by Baker Tilly as a good ‘fit’ for its business.
The merger will be officially announced this week, and Polaris staff will move to the accountancy firm’s head office in Ranelagh, south Dublin.
Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon employs 100 people and has a regional office in Offaly.
George Maloney, a senior partner in the company, acted as examiner for the Fleming Group, and recently oversaw the restructuring of two pharmacy firms that employ 46 people in Galway.
Polaris was founded in 2000 by managing director Gerry Rooney, who is a member of the Equality Authority’s national panel of auditors. Director Ray Flaherty is a former Bank of Ireland senior HR practitioner.
The company has earned a reputation for its espousal of ‘people dynamics’ - industry speak for performance management, alternative dispute resolution and supporting organisational plans.
It is understood that Baker Tilly views the merger, which will see Polaris incorporated in the accountancy firm’s HR consultancy division, as an important complement to its existing corporate recovery, strategic business planning and related specialities.
The newly revamped HR offering will be headed by senior partner Catherine Corcoran
