Rayner Essex – ‘We wanted to support athletes and SportsAid was the ideal organisation’

Rayner Essex, a chartered accountants and business advisory firm, is celebrating its 50 year anniversary in 2017. For well over a decade, Rayner Essex has been supporting SportsAid by running Lunch Clubs in Bloomsbury and St Albans, with the latter involving co-sponsors, to raise much-needed funds to help young talented athletes cover training and competition costs during the critical early stages of their careers.

28 June, 2017

Rayner Essex, a chartered accountants and business advisory firm, is celebrating its 50 year anniversary in 2017. A long-standing partner of SportsAid, Rayner Essex has offices in Central London and St Albans with seven partners and 65 members of staff. The company’s clients range from all fields of business, industry, the professions, arts and the entertainment world.

For well over a decade, Rayner Essex has been supporting SportsAid by running Lunch Clubs in Bloomsbury and St Albans, with the latter involving co-sponsors, to raise much-needed funds to help young talented athletes cover critical training and competition costs. Tim Sansom, a partner at Rayner Essex who has worked for the firm since 1982, has been a key driving force behind the partnership.

Triple-jumper Stefan Amokwandoh, rower Lola Anderson and 7-a-side Paralympic footballer Emyle Rudder have all been previous beneficiaries of SportsAid awards through Rayner Essex and continue to progress within their respective sports. 110m hurdler Robert Sakala and rower Megan Duthart are being supported by Rayner Essex in 2017 and have had successful seasons so far.

Here, Tim explains more about the history behind Rayner Essex’s partnership with SportsAid, the success of the Bloomsbury Lunch Clubs and the pride in supporting young athletes....

How did Rayner Essex’s partnership with SportsAid begin?

“In the early 2000’s, Camden Council were looking to establish a Local Business Development Group. We became one of the founding members and offered to be the primary sponsor and to help organise a Camden business lunch event. The Council programme did not proceed as envisaged so we decided to run our own event and that’s how the Bloomsbury Lunch Clubs were born. Historically, we had been active sponsors of St Albans Hockey Club and wanted to support local athletes through our growing London office. SportsAid was the ideal organisation to work with.”

How have the Bloomsbury Lunch Clubs changed over the years? How much has been raised in London and St Albans?

“During the early years, the Bloomsbury Lunch Clubs were predominantly based around retired successful Olympians who recounted their pride in representing their country and the fulfilment of competing at the highest level. The Lunch Clubs evolved into demonstrations by young athletes and were accompanied by Q&A sessions. We have always tried to include a range of sports with cycling, boxing and rowing amongst the most popular. The Bloomsbury Lunch Club has raised £42,000 to date and the SportsAid lunches in St Albans, including co-sponsors, has made £39,000.”

How proud have you and the Rayner Essex staff been to see the progress of the athletes you’ve supported over the years?

“We are very proud of the athletes we directly sponsor and are delighted with the success they have achieved both nationally and internationally. The level of commitment and determination the athletes display are key factors as they climb each step of the sporting ladder. We invite the athletes we’ve supported to our events and maintain contact directly with them or through Grace Hughes at SportsAid. Our staff are keen sports supporters and follow most major sports. We have a 7-a-side football team in the Powerleague and run a social cricket team in the summer.”

Rayner Essex has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary – how are you marking this occasion throughout the year?

“Our 50th anniversary celebrations have included a light-hearted evening event attended by over 200 clients and contacts at Kings Place in London and a BBQ cruise on the Thames for our staff. We are planning a charity walk later in the year that will take in both of our offices. As for SportsAid, we look forward to further developing our relationship and expanding the events we run together.”

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