Change will undoubtedly come. We are making headway against the 'biggest is necessarily best' mentality; but this is a marathon, not a sprint. In the meantime, we have refined a very effective strategy for the firm. It is based on a simple, though apparently revolutionary, mission: to be the best, not the biggest.

Scale is a poor index of quality. What has more impact on the quality of client service we deliver to you? The number of people we have in the office, or the capability, commitment and motivation of those who actually do the job for you?

To be the best, we don't need to have the most people. We do need exceptional people who are exceptionally motivated. So before we could debunk the 'biggest is best' myth in the client marketplace, we had to debunk it in the recruitment market.

We have built an outstanding people proposition, to break the perception that the only good employer is a Big Four firm. No other accountancy firm can match our three successive listings in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, and we are one of only two accountancy firms in the Financial Times UK Best 50 Workplaces.

The brightest women and graduates have also noted our listing in The Times Top 50 Where Women Want to Work and The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers.

It has taken time and considerable investment, but we now attract and retain people of the highest calibre. We also have one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the profession, enabling us to provide the quality of work that comes from greater continuity of people.

We've broken the employment myth, and shown that great people can find a better employment experience here. Now we are applying their talents to break the 'biggest is best' myth about client service.

Our fundamental purpose

What are we here for?

• To maintain a sustainably profitable, secure, distinctive and independent firm.
• To provide a challenging environment and superior employment experience to attract, develop and retain the best people.
• To build our reputation for quality work and exceptional service delivered through strong personal relationships.

Our mission

To be the best, not the biggest.

Our core values

We aim to create an environment where people can grow and develop in their own way. It is founded on four core values that shape our recruitment, development and performance management processes and how we look after our clients.

• Honesty and integrity
• Taking personal responsibility
• Strong and personal client relationships
• Mutual support