We have a rich history of mergers, acquisitions and amalgamations but most of all we are proud that our core values of ‘welcoming’ ‘considered’ ‘committed and knowledgeable’ are as important to us today as they were to our founders nearly two hundred years ago.
From humble beginnings the directors of each generation have guided our colleagues and the firm through world wars, a succession of agricultural depressions and economic recessions and more recently, the tumult thrown up by Brexit as well as the Covid pandemic. 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, a reputation for excellence and experience and colleagues who take pride in delivering advice worth paying for.
A brief chronology of Cheffins
2024
Planning begins for Cheffins' bicentenary celebrations in 2025.
2021
Cheffins acquires PlanSurv Ltd, an independent planning firm based in Ely.
2020
In March 2020 the Government announces a major lockdown. All Cheffins Directors and colleagues work from home for the extended period of the pandemic.
2019
Cheffins undergoes a major rebrand and launches a new website.
2018
Cheffins Cambridge office undergoes major internal works to create a collaborative, open plan working environment.
2017
Cheffins acquires Dodson Jones, a Cambridge based commercial property consultancy specialising in the office and tech sectors.
2008
Cheffins acquires Derek Catlin Property Management.
2003
Catlings merges with Cheffins.
2002
Cheffins moves into the newly built Clifton House head office from their premises on Regent Street.
2001
Firm renamed as Cheffins.
1997
Sutton (Ely) Machinery opens a 40 acre sale ground from which to base the monthly machinery sales and Vintage machinery auctions.
1987
Comins of Ely merges with Cheffins, Grain & Chalk to create Cheffins, Grain & Comins.
1982
Cheffins Fine Art department launches in a purpose-built saleroom on Cherry Hinton Road.
1975
Cheffins Vintage farm machinery sales launched.
1967
Cheffins, Grain & Chalk created from the Grain & Chalk and Cheffins amalgamation.
1941
In July the first Cambridge Machinery sale is held in the Cambridge Market by Grain & Chalk.
1937
Grain & Chalk formed by amalgamation of A T Grain & Sons and H P & T Chalk.
1922
Henry Joshua Cheffins dies.
1910
A T Grain & Sons created from Grain, Moyes & Wisbey.
1903
Henry Cheffins acquires Benjamin T Thurgood of Saffron Walden – the original firm in the Cheffins family tree.
1885
New Cambridge cattle market opens on present site of Cheffins head office on Clifton Road. H Philip & Thos Chalk and Grain & Long licensed to operate in the new market. By 1967 both firms absorbed into what will become the future Cheffins.
1884
John Moyes opens in Cambridge.
1882
H P & T Chalk sets up in Cambridge.
1880
Henry Cheffins leases 7 Hill Street, Saffron Walden as his family home and adjoining office.
1875
Henry Joshua Cheffins acquires WM Rand of Saffron Walden. Grain & Long sets up in Cambridge.
1871
Catling & Mann opens in Cambridge.
1867
Geo Comins sets up in Ely.
1865
Auctioneers Chas Wisbey set up in Cambridge.
1860
Wm Rand sets up Saffron Walden's new cattle market.
1850
Auctioneers WM Rand established in Saffron Walden (acquired in 1875 by Henry Joshua Cheffins).
1846
Henry Joshua Cheffins born.
1825
Auctioneers R D Thurgood (later to become B T Thurgood & Sons) of Saffron Walden established (acquired in 1903 by Henry Joshua Cheffins).