Hill Vellacott , accountants

The date of the origin of the firm is uncertain, but the firm can be traced back to Edward Thomas Jones (1767-1833), author of English System of Book-Keeping (1796). Edward Thomas began his career in accountancy in Bristol, but moved to London in 1821, living first in Poultry and later in Coleman Street. His business was continued by his nephew, Theodore Brooke Jones, in 1846, and Arthur James Hill in 1867.

Soon afterwards Theodore Brooke Jones moved to Harrogate and opened offices in Leeds and Manchester. In 1878 the business was divided into three distinct firms: the Manchester firm became known as Jones Crewdson & Company, the Leeds firm was called Theodore B Jones and Company, and the London firm became Theodore Jones, Hill and Company. In the same year, William Edward Vellacott, who had been articled to the London firm in 1869, was admitted to the partnership. The name of the London firm was changed to Theodore Jones, Hill, Vellacott and Company in 1884, and in 1888, when Jones withdrew from the practice, to Arthur J Hill, Vellacott and Company.

The location of the firm's office in London changed frequently; the longest period of time was spent at Finsbury Circus House (1871-1914). In 1941 the firm's offices were damaged by floods following bomb damage and many of the company's early records were destroyed. Offices were also opened in Belfast, Cambridge, Northampton, Croydon and Leicester.

From 1927 the firm was known as Hill, Vellacott & Company (Hill, Vellacott from 1967, and Hill Vellacott from 1975). The company underwent various mergers from 1923, including one in 1984 with Chantry Wood King, and the company's name was changed to Chantrey Vellacott in 1988.

The business of the Jones family and of Arthur Hill was involved in the co-operative and building society movements, and their clients included the Longton and Fenton Permanent Benefit Building Society.