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.