Partnerships and knowledge
A really important part of our responsible business approach is for Saffery to play its part in its networks, industry, and wider engagements. We want to share our learnings and insights, and also ensure we’re always building for the future ourselves and with others.
We’ve actively shared our journey through speaker events and webinars, collaborating within the Sustainability Group A network (a collaborative network within the accountancy profession focused on advancing sustainable practices and sharing insights across firms) to promote collective action. Natural capital is an area we want to deepen, as sharing knowledge and building critical connections helps drive meaningful change. We’ve also engaged with the Nexia Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce to help shape a strategic DEI plan, contributing insights and aligning our efforts with broader network goals.
Breaking Down Barriers to Accountancy
To support our commitments to socio-economic diversity, inclusion, and social mobility, we participated in the Breaking Down Barriers to Accountancy initiative, spearheaded by Rt. Hon Justine Greening. The project involved Saffery representatives attending a series of participatory workshops, leading to an insight report launched in Parliament designed to support mid-tier firms improve their accessibility and inclusion of people from all backgrounds.
"Currently, the most significant barrier to progression in accountancy is coming from a lower socio-economic background. Our participation was an opportunity to be co-creators in leading insights that will support greater socio-economic diversity within accountancy and social mobility in our communities."
Clare Morgan, Senior ED&I Manager
Business in the Community and external insight
During the reporting period, we continued our partnership with Business in the Community (BITC), receiving advisory support on our diversity data campaign and policy review preparation. Their guidance ensured our actions aligned with best practice and reinforces our commitment to responsible business.
Sharing knowledge and insight
On 4 March 2025, we shared our responsible business journey with a delegation from Singapore’s Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Law Society of Singapore (LSS), hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Ruth Evered presented our approach to sustainability, including double materiality mapping and stakeholder engagement.
“This is one of many events in the year where Saffery has shared its responsible business journey. By being transparent about the process, challenges, and the opportunities of taking a robust, meaningful approach, we can support other firms to start the conversation to build a responsible business framework in their organisations.”
Ruth Evered, Director, Sustainability and ESG service line
Nexia visit: Nexia Sustainability
As a proud member of Nexia, we collaborate globally to enhance our impact. In 2024, colleagues from our Sustainability and ESG service line supported Nexia Australia in developing its responsible business strategy. This followed a presentation at the Nexia Conference in Madrid.
Their work included:
- Stakeholder engagement workshops with employees, clients, and suppliers.
- Building a double materiality matrix to identify key sustainability issues.
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“It was a busy and rewarding trip, enabling us to share our insights and learn about incorporating responsible business approaches in a wider context. It was an amazing opportunity to share our common experiences and make an impact more widely. There were obviously very different challenges brought by the different geography but far more commonalities through being in a similar profession and our shared values.”
Yi Zheng, Senior Manager, Sustainability and ESG service line
Natural capital Q&A with Peter Harker and Richard Collis
Richard: How would you define natural capital?
Peter: Natural capital is the value of natural resources a landowner or business holds, such as farming, timber, and water, as well as ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, biodiversity, water quality, and flood mitigation. These services are increasingly being monetised in emerging markets.
Richard: Why should businesses care about natural capital?
Peter: Businesses relying on natural assets, like estates, farms, or supply chains, face real financial risks and opportunities. A striking 52% of global GDP depends on natural capital. Frameworks like Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) help companies understand and mitigate nature-related risks, making it a strategic imperative for responsible business.
Richard: What kind of work is Saffery doing around natural capital?
Peter: We advise landowners on how to diversify beyond traditional farming into areas like carbon credits, biodiversity net gain (BNG), and rewilding. We also support businesses focused on natural capital. We act for a significant number of key market players as our clients, our work reflects both the sector’s rapid growth and the depth of our involvement.
Richard: How is Saffery helping shape this evolving landscape?
Peter: We’re really helping lead in this space, acting for many of the major players creating BNG units – our clients are responsible for a significant proportion of registered BNG sites.
Beyond that, we're working with the ICAEW and HMRC to shape guidance on the accounting and tax treatment of natural capital.
Richard: Nature and natural capital weren’t top priorities of our materiality assessment from 2023. Do you think shifts in the wider landscape could impact how we approach this in future?
Peter: Definitely. It’s not a criticism of the original survey; it partly reflects how the questions were framed. Nature and climate are inseparable and tackling climate change requires nature-based solutions. While engineered carbon storage technologies has a role, many of the most impactful approaches involve nature: woodland carbon sequestration, biodiversity gains, and better land stewardship.
Richard: What more could Saffery do to raise internal awareness around nature, wellbeing, and climate?
Peter: A few things. Inspiring speakers could help us, though to avoid webinar fatigue, we might offer flexible, on-demand content. I’m leading a visit to one of our rewilding clients in September, so a small Saffery team can experience land management first-hand. I did something similar last summer and it was powerful for learning, wellbeing, and confidence when talking to clients. You’ve literally had your ‘boots on the ground’. If I could, I’d take everyone for a countryside walk in the countryside – simple but effective. Outdoor team challenges like the Three Peaks also build that connection.
During lockdown, we encouraged longer lunch breaks to help people get outside and reset. I still block out that time in my calendar.