New roles for senior partners at Saffery

Chartered accounting and business advisory firm Saffery has promoted Sally Appleton to head of its Leeds office, succeeding Jonathan Davis, who now leads the firm’s northern region.

Jonathan, who joined Saffery in 2012, has led the Yorkshire team for the past six years. 

In his new role, he will oversee Saffery’s offices in Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh and Inverness, while maintaining a focus on his client portfolio, which includes owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, mid-to-large corporates and academies across the region.

Jonathan said: “I’m stepping into my new role at a time when Saffery is in a very strong position in the North of England and Scotland. 

“Both Leeds and Edinburgh have recently relocated into flagship new offices, at Wellington Place and Haymarket Square respectively, and when this is combined with the expertise and established client bases in Manchester and Inverness, it’s a superb area to head up with a highly knowledgeable and dedicated team of more than 350 people. 

“We know our offering appeals to all types of businesses that want to work with an independent firm, that’s boutique in style, but with a vastly experienced national and international support network behind it when required. 

“This puts us in a solid position to continue serving and adding value to our existing clients, taking on new clients across all industries and sectors, and attracting and retaining the most talented people, in what remains a people focussed business.”

This year marks Sally’s twentieth anniversary at Saffery. 

She now leads the 84-strong team at the Leeds office, located at Wellington Place. 

Sally is responsible for managing operations, client service, recruitment, employee wellbeing, and aligning the office with Saffery’s national strategy. 

She will also continue overseeing her work with multi-generational businesses and charitable organisations, including independent schools and academies.

Sally, who grew up in West Yorkshire and becomes Saffery’s first female head of the Yorkshire office, added: “This opportunity is a genuine honour and it’s great to continue working alongside Jon, who will still be based locally in our Leeds office. 

“It also comes just a few months after I was elected on to Saffery’s partnership committee which provides a governance and oversight function of the management board, on behalf of all Saffery’s 90 partners. 

“It is an exciting time for the firm and I’m really looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Jonathan added: “Sally is a hugely respected member of the Saffery team, both in Yorkshire and across the wider firm, with both her clients and colleagues alike. 

“She’s forward thinking, pragmatic and brilliant at problem solving, so she’s undoubtedly the right person to lead the Yorkshire office and I’m looking forward to supporting her in her new role.

Established in 1855, Saffery is one of the UK’s longest-standing independent accounting firms, employing more than 1200 people across nine offices.

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