The acquisition, which will expand Saffery’s sports and entertainment offering, means that it can now count "some of the most exciting, successful and high-profile personalities and corporates in the world of sport" among its clients.

Saffery, an accounting and advisory firm, has just completed the acquisition of AWFM Sport.

AWFM Sport, formerly Arena Wealth Partners, has established itself over the last two decades as an advisor for international sportspeople. It provides a range of tax, accounting, compliance and business management services to clients including top ATP-ranked tennis stars and Ryder Cup golf champions.

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 became 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 become a major player in the industry, with over 50 professionals, including 12 partners, advising individuals and corporates.

“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,” Hackleton said.

Saffery advises individuals and businesses across a range of sectors covering accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services.