There will be a five-month transition until Drake takes over in April 2026 from Matthew Burton, who has been in the role for eight years, and has driven significant growth and transformation at the Top 20 firm during his tenure at a time of huge disruption in the competitive professional services market.

With over 25 years’ experience advising clients in the media sector, Drake joined Saffery in 2012 following the acquisition of RSM Tenon’s film and TV team, which he went on to lead. As head of the London corporate group, Drake has been a member of Saffery’s management and leadership boards since April 2024.

In the fast changing accountancy sector, Saffery has remained staunchly independent and has not succumbed to private equity investment. Burton took over in 2018 when annual revenue at the firm was £79m and oversaw rapid growth with the latest reported fee income exceeding £142m for year end March 2024, up 14% on the previous year, coupled with a 7% increase in profits on the same period, and is ranked 16th in the annual Top 75 Firms Survey.