One of the UK’s largest and longest-established franchisors, ServiceMaster launched in the UK in 1959 and now has five franchise brands in its portfolio.

Rosemary Bookkeeping, which was founded in 2009, provides a practical approach to bookkeeping for small and medium-sized companies, and has close working relationships with accountancy firms. The business currently has 15 franchise outlets across the UK and ServiceMaster plans to expand on this figure.

Alan Lewin, managing director of ServiceMaster, says: "We are delighted to be able to announce the acquisition of Rosemary Bookkeeping. The investment makes good business sense to us as an organisation, as it tucks neatly into our structure as a multi-brand franchisor. It also serves to complement and broaden the B2B range of services offered by the already-established ServiceMaster portfolio of franchise brands here in the UK.

"Existing Rosemary Bookkeeping franchisees will benefit from access to the skills and resources provided by the ServiceMaster franchise services group. We are able to provide additional help in marketing, sales and other operational areas of franchise development and management to help existing Rosemary Bookkeeping franchise partners realise the significant growth potential of their franchise.

"We will also be actively recruiting new investors into the Rosemary Bookkeeping network, as we start to drive and market the opportunity under the ServiceMaster franchise services group banner."

Lisa Curteis, founding director of Rosemary Bookkeeping, says: "Launching Rosemary Bookkeeping fulfilled a personal ambition to share my business know-how with others and I’m proud that we’ve been able to take the business this far. I’m excited for the future of our franchise partners and our brand with ServiceMaster."

ServiceMaster has over 300 franchisees operating in close to 700 licensed areas under its brands, which include Merry Maids, ServiceMaster Clean, Furniture Medic and TruGreen Professional LawnCare.