Saffery acquires AWFM Sport to boost Sports & Entertainment offering

Accounting and advisory firm Saffery has completed the acquisition of AWFM Sport for an undisclosed sum. AWFM Sport, formerly Arena Wealth Partners, is a specialist advisor to some of the world’s leading sportspeople, providing them with a range of tax, accounting, compliance and business management services and support. Saffery said that with clients including top ATP-ranked tennis stars and Ryder Cup winning golfers, AWFM Sport has established itself over the last two decades as an ‘adviser of choice for the very best international sports talent’. The acquisition sees the AWFM Sport team join the Saffery Sports and Entertainment group, headed by partner Pete Hackleton. This includes AWFM Sport founder and director David Lumley, who becomes a consultant to the firm and its clients. Since its launch more than a decade ago, the Sports and Entertainment group at Saffery has grown to over 50 professionals, including 12 partners, advising talented individuals and major corporates and providing the full spectrum of accounting, audit, tax and business advisory services. Hackleton said: “We have known David and AWFM Sport for many years, and the opportunity to join forces and unlock new opportunities for our clients was one we both wanted to seize. Taken together, we have the privilege of counting among our clients some of the most exciting, successful and high profile personalities and corporates in the world of sport. “With our complementary service offering, and Saffery’s reach both across the UK in major centres of sporting excellence and internationally through our Nexia partnership, we are ideally placed to support our now joint clients as they navigate an increasingly complex and globalised sports market. We are tremendously excited for what comes next as we move forwards together as a combined offering.” Lumley added: “It is very pleasing to be joining together with Pete and the team at Saffery. Not only do we share a real passion for the sports and entertainment industry, but we both also believe wholeheartedly in nurturing talent and the importance of client service and experience. I know that the AWFM Sport team, and our clients, will not only be in the very best of hands but that, with the resources and reach that Saffery provides, will be able to realise new opportunities and pathways to success.”