Yorkshire is at heart of growth plans – Saffery Champness
ACCOUNTANCY firm Saffery Champness has seen fee income rise nationally from £56.08m to £58.8m over the past 12 months – and says that Yorkshire is central to its continuing growth.
The latest figures put the firm 14th on the national league table of accountancy firms according to fee income.
One of Saffery Champness’s most significant moves of the past 12 months has been its acquisition of RSM Tenon’s Film & TV Team, which has provided advisory services for major blockbusters including The King’s Speech, The Dark Knight and Casino Royale.
In the Yorkshire region the firm has invested significantly in growth in the last year with the relocation of its Yorkshire office from Windsor Court in Harrogate to new larger premises at Mitre House in the town last July and the appointment of a new partner for the region, Jonathan Davis, in April.
Managing Partner Jonathan Fox, who is originally from Yorkshire, attributed the company’s success to a decision to play to its strengths.
“We could have diversified but we chose not to, sticking instead to our tried and trusted specialisms which include entrepreneurs and their businesses, private wealth, not-for-profit and landed estates and rural business.
“We know what we’re good at and by sharpening our focus and strengthening our expertise in those areas we have managed both to grow our business and invest for the future.”
Martin Holden, Saffery Champness’s head of office in Harrogate, said the firm’s decision to put Yorkshire “at the heart” of its investment strategy recognised the county’s reputation for entrepreneurship.
“Yorkshire is an incredibly vibrant region and we are lucky to work with some established and successful owner managed businesses as well as many exciting young ventures.
“We have recruited at all levels of the business, from trainee to partner, over the past year ensuring we have the senior expertise in place to manage our specialist portfolio whilst helping to create the next generation of advisers for Yorkshire’s businessmen and women of tomorrow.”
