Established in 1825, Cheffins has a rich history of mergers, acquisitions and amalgamations spanning almost 200 years. Today, the firm still retains the core values of a family business but has evolved to become a modern and dynamic partnership with offices strategically located throughout East Anglia.
Since its inception, Directors of each generation have guided the firm through a succession of agricultural depressions and economic recessions and, more recently, the tumult thrown up by the Brexit negotiations. Over the years a number of departments were borne out of a need to replace lost income from other areas of the business which were suffering in the face of adverse trading conditions. The result today is a firm with a solid financial foundation and a reputation for excellence and experience across all of the sectors within which it operates.
A chronology of Cheffins
1825
Auctioneers R D Thurgood (later to become B T Thurgood & Sons) of Saffron Walden established (acquired in 1903 by Henry Joshua Cheffins).
1846
Henry Joshua Cheffins born.
1850
Auctioneers WM Rand established in Saffron Walden (acquired in 1875 by Henry Joshua Cheffins).
1860
Wm Rand sets up Saffron Walden's new cattle market.
1865
Auctioneers Chas Wisbey set up in Cambridge.
1867
Geo Comins sets up in Ely.
1871
Catling & Mann opens in Cambridge.
1875
Henry Joshua Cheffins acquires WM Rand of Saffron Walden. Grain & Long sets up in Cambridge.
1880
Henry Cheffins leases 7 Hill Street, Saffron Walden as his family home and adjoining office.
1882
H P & T Chalk sets up in Cambridge.
1884
John Moyes opens in Cambridge.
1885
New Cambridge cattle market opens on present site of Cheffins head office. H Philip & Thos Chalk and Grain & Long licensed to operate in the new market. By 1967 both firms absorbed into future Cheffins.
1903
Henry Cheffins acquires Benjamin T Thurgood of Saffron Walden – the original firm in the Cheffins family tree.
1910
A T Grain & Sons created from Grain, Moyes & Wisbey.
1922
Henry Joshua Cheffins dies.
1937
Grain & Chalk formed by amalgamation of A T Grain & Sons and H P & T Chalk.
1941
In July the first Cambridge Machinery Sale held in Cambridge Market by Grain & Chalk
1967
Cheffins, Grain & Chalk created from Grain & Chalk and Cheffins amalgamation.
1975
Cheffins Vintage farm machinery sales launched.
1982
Cheffins Fine Art department launched in purpose-built saleroom on Cherry Hinton Road.
1987
Comins of Ely merges with Cheffins, Grain & Chalk to create Cheffins, Grain & Comins.
1997
Sutton (Ely) Machinery sale ground opens.
2001
Firm renamed as Cheffins.
2002
Cheffins moves into newly built Clifton House head office.
2003
Catlings merges with Cheffins.
2008
Derek Catlin Property Management acquired by Cheffins.
2017
Cheffins acquires Dodson Jones.
2018
Cheffins Cambridge office undergoes major internal works to create a collaborative, open plan working environment.
2019
Cheffins undergoes a major rebrand
2020
In March 2020 the Government announces a major lockdown. All Cheffins Directors and employees work from home for the extended period of the pandemic.
2021
Cheffins acquires PlanSurv Ltd, an independent planning firm based in Ely.