Saffery Champness
Background Summary
Headquartered in London, Saffery is a chartered accountancy firm that acts as a member of Nexia International, a global accounting and consulting network of firms.
The group was founded in 1855, when Joseph John Saffery established an accountant’s office in London’s Guildhall chambers.
Following this, Saffery acted as a founding member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in 1880, becoming president of the organisation in 1889 and 1891.
The firm was directed into its current form through the merger of Safferys and Champness, Cowper and Co in 1982, then merging with the London office of Armitage and Norton five years later.
As for the group’s international operations, it founded SC International in 1986, which proceeded to merge with Nexia International in 2007.
Matthew Burton is the current managing partner at Saffery, having taken over the position from Rob Elliott in April 2018.
The firm operated under the name Saffery Champness until September 2023, when it opted to rebrand simply as Saffery.
Saffery Champness works with clients across a range of sectors, including but not limited to private wealth, landed estates and rural businesses, not-for-profit, entrepreneurs, sports and entertainment, and international.
The group claims that it provides “a fresh perspective, an independent voice, and a long-term view” of how obligations and aspirations can be partnered together. It says that its expertise lies in the complex range of issues involved in “amassing wealth, protecting it, using it to best effect, and passing it on”.
Moreover, it offers a range of accountancy, tax, business advisory, and fiduciary services, focusing on eight sectors that cover a wide selection of business, individuals, and organisations.
Financials
For the year ended on 31 March 2023, Saffery saw its revenues hit £105m, a 17% increase compared to £89m reported in FY22. Operating profit for the year was £26.9m, up from £25.6m.
The total number of UK employees throughout the year was 903, of which 83 partners. During the period, revenue per partner amounted to £1.2m.
Recent Coverage
Recently, Saffery has secured a lease for new premises at 9 Haymarket Square in Edinburgh, offering increased desk and collaboration space for its nearly 70-person team and aligning with the firm’s agile working policy.
The office, situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s west end, boasts high environmental and energy efficiency standards, including roof-mounted solar panels and intelligent lighting systems.
Sean McGinness has been appointed head of office for Edinburgh, leading the team’s transition to the new location and overseeing its continued growth, alongside promotions for Harry Kendall and Katie Shaw in the audit team.