UK accountancy firm Saffery Champness has acquired Grant Thornton Ireland’s media and entertainment practice.
Under the deal, the team of 11 people, headed up by John Gleeson, have joined Saffery Champness and will operate from the firm’s new Irish office, located on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin.
Gleeson has over 20 years’ experience in providing tax advice and advisory services, with a focus on the media and entertainment sector in Ireland and abroad.
Gleeson and his team have worked on TV shows such as Vikings and Game of Thrones, and films such as Room and Star Wars Episode VIII.
The team will continue to focus on advising domestic and international clients on film and TV financing, specialising in Ireland’s Section 481 film and TV tax incentive.
In Association with
Saffery Champness’ existing UK film and TV team comprises 48 people, including seven partners. It has worked on film projects such as Mama Mia and TV projects that include Poldark.
Saffery Champness is the 12th largest firm of chartered accountants in the UK by fee income. It provides specialist advice to a range of individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
“Film and television is a core chosen market for us as a business, and is an area where we boast significant strength and depth of expertise,” said Matthew Burton (pictured), managing partner of Saffery Champness.
“I am certain that John and his team will prove a real asset to the firm, enhancing our capabilities and range of client services as well as furthering our international reach.”
Michael McAteer, managing partner of Grant Thornton, said that his firm and Saffery Champness have collaborated in recent years on client engagements.
“As Saffery Champness were looking to increase their international film and TV offering into the Irish market, we recognised from our previous experience working with them that it was the right fit,” McAteer stated.
Saffery Champness has 83 partners and partner equivalents, and more than 700 staff across nine UK offices, plus Dubai, Guernsey, Geneva and Zurich.
