DAVID HODGSON MBE Partner, Read Milburn and Co.
What is your current role?
I am a partner at Read Milburn & Co, Chartered Accountants in North Shields, a firm that I have, incredibly, been with for 55 years and a partner now for 50 years.
Did you always envisage a career in the industry?
During my school days I had little understanding of the business world. The subject at which I excelled at school was maths and so I was encouraged by my parents to take up an accountancy career which I embarked upon at the tender age of 16. At that stage I had little concept of the much broader scope that the accountancy role involved rather than simply that of number crunching.
What has been your career path so far?
Unusually, in this day and age, I have remained with the same office throughout my working life. After five years at the Practice and qualifying at the age of 21, I was offered a partnership with my then Principal, Tom Read and the partnership continued until his subsequent death when I took on overall responsibility for every aspect of the Practice.
How have you been helping clients throughout the coronavirus crisis?
In terms of Accounts and Tax Return preparation, it has largely been business as usual, albeit with most of our staff working from home. The area in which clients have needed most assistance has been with furlough claims and ensuring that they have been able to claim any support grants that were available to them.
What has been your proudest career achievement?
As the Practice has developed, I have been able to devote a great deal of time to voluntary work. I am currently an officer of 15 or so charitable organisations and thus able to “give something back to the community”. It was a great surprise, a proud moment and great honour to be presented with an MBE by Prince William for “Services to the Voluntary Sector and Community of North Tyneside” in 2016.
What is your greatest strength?
Apart from my sense of humour, I guess being prepared to “go the extra mile” to help those that are in need, whether this be in my accountancy role or in other walks of life. Also, whilst I would never shy away from making progress with my life, I have also learned to be content in whatever place I find myself.
What is your biggest weakness?
I guess it is sometimes agreeing to take on additional roles which further encroach into a diminishing private life, but such aspects and roles bring me tremendous satisfaction in helping others.
What are your remaining career aspirations?
Well, I now find myself in my 72nd year and quite content with what I have already achieved. At the present time, whilst health allows, I will continue to work within the Practice and offer continued support in my various voluntary roles.
How do you see your industry evolving in the next 10 years?
Thankfully, there will always be a need for accountants, in compliance work, but as businesses are forced to become more IT literate and introduce more business software, the role of Accountants in Practice will take on a greater role in planning for the future rather than looking back and working with historical information. Whatever the future, we will continue to add value to the businesses that we support.
