New look, same independent advisers
A fresh new look for accountants and business advisers PKF Francis Clark is about much more than a logo, explains Paul Stout, partner and head of mergers & acquisitions at the firm’s Southampton office.
Regular readers of our articles in The Business Magazine will notice something different about these pages. Yes, PKF Francis Clark has a fresh new look – and I hope you like it.
So why have we rebranded and what does it mean for our clients and contacts in the business community?
The first thing to say is we’re still the same independent advisers our clients have come to know and trust over many years, just with a more modern look. But the changes we’re making are more than skin deep. As an accountant, branding is not my area of expertise but I’ve learned a lot in the leadup to our refreshed brand going live.
I now know there’s a lot more to it than simply designing a new logo. As part of the rebranding process, we’ve taken the opportunity to review the experience people have when they engage with PKF Francis Clark, whether that’s visiting our website, attending one of our events, applying to join our team or working with us as a client.
This is particularly important when it comes to accessibility. Some 20% of people have visual, motor, hearing or neurodiverse conditions affecting how they read, watch or listen to content. We’ve committed to making everything we produce accessible, including through careful use of colours, fonts and clear, plain English. By focusing on accessibility, we’re improving the experience for everyone.
Our rebrand is just part of a range of positive changes, including our broader efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and enhance our environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. It comes as we embark on our new three-year strategy. A key theme of this is about making a positive impact as a firm, both for our clients and our community.
Over the past few years, volunteering days have become a popular part of our culture, with colleagues helping a variety of good causes, including the Flutterby Fund Charity Equine Therapy Centre at Manor Equestrian, near Southampton, and Chestnut Nursery in Poole.
We know from talking to our clients, colleagues and suppliers that they care about ESG issues as much as we do, so this is a key focus for us.
Our rebrand reinforces our connection with our fellow member firms in the PKF Global network, whilst retaining our identity as a proudly independent firm. Being a PKF member firm enables our clients – especially those trading overseas or who aspire to do so – to tap into a wealth of expertise in 150 countries around the world.
We’re proud of our heritage. We have been supporting business leaders since 1919, with technical expertise, a fresh perspective or an experienced listening ear. Getting to know and understand our clients remains fundamental to our approach. So, while our brand looks different, we look forward to continuing to provide the personalised service and specialist expertise our clients have come to expect from us.
Our firm continues to grow, with more than 950 people based across nine offices today. Since our Southampton office opened two years ago, the response has been hugely encouraging.
We are busy doing a range of interesting work for corporate clients in Hampshire and the M3 corridor, including helping ambitious businesses to secure debt and equity funding to realise their expansion plans. Our team has been strengthened by several key appointments, and we continue to invest in recruiting top talent.
To be authentic, any brand has to reflect what’s on the inside. Since 2022, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work, reflecting our dedication to enabling colleagues to be themselves, develop and flourish in their careers. Our people are our greatest asset, so maintaining our supportive culture will always be key to our success.
Paul Stout
Partner and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions
[email protected]
07791 306938
You can find out more by visiting pkf-francisclark.co.uk
