Sovereign buys ‘China entry’ specialist JLJ Group

The Sovereign Group has acquired JLJ Group, an “integrated services provider” in China.

Sovereign said it will combine JLJ’s Shanghai and Beijing offices with its own operations in China, with the Shanghai branch employing 20 staff and five employees in the Beijing branch. JLJ describes itself as a service provide which “accelerates international companies’ ability to understand and operate in the China market”.

Howard Bilton, chairman of The Sovereign Group, said: “Setting up a business in China is particularly fraught with difficulties and can involve enormous bureaucracy.

“We have been working with JLJ for some time and recognised their considerable expertise in this area. This acquisition allows Sovereign to offer its worldwide clientele an efficient and high quality service for those wishing to do business in China and strengthens the Sovereign global offering.”

JLJ was formed in 2003 and has worked with more than 600 clients, including government organisations and companies of differing sizes. Services provided include market research and consulting, company formation and accounting outsourcing.