our story

a rich heritage

Founded in 1938 by Samuel Kershen, ‘SK’, as he is fondly referred to by the Kershen Fairfax team today, started the firm in a small office in the West End of London. Using his surname and his cat’s name, “Fairfax”, the firm was born.

SK was seen every Monday morning in Covent Garden buying one single red carnation which he wore in his lapel for the working week. Owing to the firm’s location in the heart of West Ends Theatreland SK built a notable client base in the entertainment industry.

Over the years the firm gradually grew a little larger, introducing new Partners and moving locations but never straying far from its roots in the West End.

In 1970 SK’s nephew Andrew joined the firm, completing his articles he qualified in 1975 and remains a beloved member of the firm to this day. As Kershen Fairfax approaches its 90th Birthday we put our longevity down, not just to our wealth of experience in a range of accountancy and business advisory services but to the long-standing relationships with our clients, many of whom are multi-generational.

We are proud to hold dear the traditional values, understanding the importance of a personal service, face-to-face meetings and the ability for our clients to pick up the phone and speak to the same member of staff who has worked on their affairs for many years.

The evolution of today's firm

The phrase a tradition of quality; a culture of innovation describes an organisation that values both the established standards of its past and the willingness to embrace new ideas and methods. We proudly believe this describes our firm perfectly.

This could not have been more true when on the 1st April 2019 a new leadership structure was formed and long-standing members of the Kershen Fairfax team,Michelle Cox and Charlotte Hamilton, took the KF reigns.

Andrew, who remains a pivotal member of the team, supported this transition and offered some much-appreciated wisdom along the way. His tenacity to see the firm succeed for another 90 years encompassed the willingness to embrace new ideas and new leadership.

Thankfully female Chartered Accountants are much easier to find these days, but a firm owned and run by two women is still a rarity – a privilege not lost on Michelle or Charlotte.

Michelle and Charlotte have worked together for over twenty years and during that time have formed a close friendship. They attribute this close bond to their success over the last six years, which has seen the firm prosper.

One of their many accomplishments was relocating the firm to its new office at Eldon Chambers, on Fleet Street. The office space is a perfect reflection of the firm; enveloped in history with a modern and welcoming interior which clients and staff alike love.

The original building was owned by John Fisher, who in 1547 gifted it to the Cordwainers Company, they remain the landlords to this day. The site has a rich history including falling victim to great fire of the London however, the current building designed in Jacobean revival style by T. E. Knighdey was completed in 1883 on behalf of Philips, map and chart printers and stationers. Copies of Philips London maps dating back to the 1900’s have been purchased by Michelle and Charlotte and sit on display in our office as a nod to our predecessors.

Looking ahead, with the backing of their wonderful team, Michelle and Charlotte are eager to build on their past success and look forward to writing the next chapter in the Kershen Fairfax history book.