More than 60 charities are to benefit from regional accountancy group Bishop Fleming’s grand total of £150,000 raised during its centenary year – £50,000 more than the amount it set itself at the beginning of 2019.
The £100,000 target was achieved halfway through the year as the firm’s staff took up the challenge with gusto, including team efforts in the Bath Half Marathon and Three Peaks Challenge and gruelling individual feats. 
The £150,000 total was revealed – and fundraising activities brought to a close – by Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke at a Great Gatsby-themed centenary event in December.
During the year more than 115 fundraising activities were staged by staff at the firm, which has the largest of its seven offices in Bristol – generating nearly 3,000 donations.
The centenary celebrations were launched last January under the banner BF100: It’s What We Bring Together That Sets Us Apart and with the aim of bringing clients, people and regional communities together through projects, events and fundraising activities.
Starting with a full rebrand, the year continued with the launch of a new ambition – to be recognised as the most rewarding accountancy firm in the UK for its clients, people and communities, underpinned by a new set of values that would reflect this ambition.
Chair Ian Smith said: “Our people have raised an incredible amount of money for a wide range of charities personal to them. But what has been most rewarding is the way that these activities have brought our people and clients to work together.
“It has been a fantastic 12 months for our business that we will look back on with great pride.”
The fundraising campaign was spearheaded by Bishop Fleming’s title partnership of the Bath Half when more than 120 staff and clients entered – making it the largest corporate team entry in the history of the race and raising more than £30,000 in the process.
The partnership was so successful it is being repeated this year.
Other team activities included 30 staff completing the National Three Peaks Challenge – raising more than £25,000 – while a further £10,000 was raised by a team that walked 100 miles from Wales to the firm’s Worcester office in four days during the summer.
A range of individual challenges were also completed such as skydiving, a 100K Ultra-Marathon, 5,000 push-ups in 12-hours and a head shave for Macmillan Cancer.
Throughout last year the firm hosted a raft of client events, including centenary dinners in Exeter and Worcester Cathedrals.
Bishop Fleming also used the centenary to introduce new projects, including a Launchpad school leaver apprentice programme that helped it enjoy record levels of recruitment last year.
In July, the firm moved its founding Torquay office to new space while it recently announced the relocation this year of its Queen Square, Bristol, base to the city’s flagship 10 Templeback building.
The centenary ended on another high when the firm was crowned National Business of the Year at the British Chamber of Commerce Awards as well as being ranked as one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For.
Managing partner Andrew Sandiford said: “Our centenary is proof that our 100-year milestone was much more than just a birthday. We were determined to use our centenary not to look backwards but to position our business for the future and we have already made some major strides forward in achieving our ambition. Our centenary activities are proof that great relationships deliver remarkable results.”
Among the Bristol charities benefiting from Bishop Fleming’s fundraising efforts are St Peter’s Hospice, Southmead Hospital Charity, Bristol Mind, and the Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, while national charities include Macmillan, Alzheimer’s Society, Breast Cancer Care, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Help for Heroes.
Pictured: Bishop Fleming staff at the Bath Half Marathon
