Growth, Guidance and the Right People Around You
A Q&A with Roger Wareham, Head of the Bournemouth Office at Saffery
When ambitious, founder-led businesses start to scale quickly, the journey becomes more complex and more exciting. We sat down with Roger Wareham to talk about the sectors he works with, how he supports companies through growth, maturity and exit, and why relationships are at the heart of everything he does.
Q: What types of businesses do you typically work with?
Roger:
I work with a broad range of sectors: property development and investment, construction, financial services, tech, manufacturing and hospitality. But I do have a real interest in high-growth consumer brands.
That includes businesses in clothing, food and drink, outdoor, healthcare brands, and often fast-moving consumer goods where product-market fit has been proven and growth accelerates quickly. It’s exciting to work with businesses at that stage because the opportunity is huge, but so are the challenges.
Geographically, we’re very focused on Dorset and Hampshire, which have some fantastic entrepreneurial businesses, but we support businesses across the south.
My client base ranges from growth phase to large established multi-national groups.
Q: At what stage do companies usually come to you?
Roger:
Usually, when growth is already happening, and happening fast.
A founder has developed an amazing product and gained sudden traction. Sales are rising sharply, including internationally, but the finance function hasn’t caught up yet. Systems may not be robust enough. Management information might be limited. They might be facing their first audit.
That’s often when founders identify they need more structure, not to slow them down, but to support the next phase properly.
Q: What does your support look like in that high-growth phase?
Roger:
First, we strengthen the foundations.
That can mean helping build an internal finance team, putting better systems in place, improving management reporting, and preparing for an audit. Founders need reliable, timely information to make confident decisions.
We help professionalise the business so it can sustain rapid growth, without losing its entrepreneurial energy.
Q: Many high-growth brands expand internationally very quickly. How do you help with that?
Roger:
E-commerce and global mobility has changed everything. Businesses can gain traction in multiple countries almost overnight.
The key is early planning. We look at group structure, supply chains, local tax implications, transfer pricing and audit designing. If you design the framework properly at the beginning, you avoid costly restructuring later.
Through our international network, Nexia, we can access trusted advisers in other countries, but from the client’s perspective, I remain their key point of contact. It’s joined-up, straightforward and coordinated.
Q: You mention being a “single point of contact.” Why is that important?
Roger:
It’s central to how we work.
At Saffery, we operate a relationship-led model. I’m the front door. Behind me, there’s a wide range of specialists: audit, tax, corporate finance, but the client isn’t left to deal with numerous different people and siloed departments.
I stay responsible for the relationship and make sure the right people are involved at the right time. That continuity avoids repetition and keeps our support aligned.
We effectively become an extension of the founder’s team. Our clients really value this approach.
Q: Do you also help businesses prepare for exit?
Roger:
Yes, that’s very much our sweet spot.
We work with privately owned, founder-led businesses from scale-up through to exit. That might involve earlier minority investment, private equity investment, a management buyout, family succession or a full sale.
The best exits are planned well in advance. Strengthening systems, clarifying structure and ensuring robust reporting all improve value and reduce friction in a transaction.
Having supported multiple exits, we understand what buyers look for and how to prepare for that process properly. I’m really proud of the business journeys that I’ve been on with my clients and the outcomes that we have advised on.
Q: How important is your external network in supporting clients?
Roger:
It’s hugely important.
Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with lawyers, bankers, investors, financial advisors and specialist consultants. When a client needs introductions or transaction support, we can bring together an integrated advisory team quickly.
The aim is to create a collaborative group around the client, not disconnected advisers working independently.
Q: You lead the Bournemouth office. How has that evolved?
Roger:
I joined via an apprenticeship route, so I’ve grown up with the office in many ways.
We’ve expanded from around 20 people at the time that I joined to more than 100 staff. There’s been a transition from the success of the founding partners to our existing partner group, and we’re focused on developing and promoting talent internally.
Although we’re firmly rooted in the local market, we operate as one firm across nine UK offices. That means clients benefit from national expertise with local accessibility.
Q: What are founders most concerned about right now?
Roger:
Uncertainty and pace of change.
Geopolitics, cost pressures, AI, supply chain disruption, things move quickly. Businesses need to be agile, adapt quickly and embrace change.
Our role is to anticipate issues, adapt support and keep in regular contact. To provide this we must understand our clients and their businesses identifying what’s keeping them awake at night.
Q: What ultimately sets your approach apart?
Roger:
It comes back to understanding a founder’s personal objectives.
Every business owner is different. Some strive for maximum growth and end value. Some want steady value creation. Others are focused on legacy or purpose.
We don’t offer boilerplate advice. We tailor our approach to our clients ambitions, and we stay alongside them through growth, maturity and exit.
When you’ve worked with a founder for years and see them achieve what they set out to do and deserve, that’s incredibly rewarding.
For ambitious businesses across Dorset, Hampshire and beyond, Roger Wareham offers something reassuringly steady: one trusted relationship, deep sector knowledge, strong networks and support that evolves as the business does.
E: roger.wareham@saffery.com