Jack provides personal and business development coaching to clients, helping them to reach their goals. Jack co-leads the Business Accelerator team at Robson Laidler, which is over 100 years old and has recently become the region's first B Corp, balancing purpose as well as profit.
What were your career ambitions growing up?
Well after the obligatory stage that all 5-year-old boys go through, of wanting to be an Astronaut Cowboy Fireman Footballer, I never really had a clear career ambition. Having said that, three things have always stuck with me when growing up; firstly, I have always wanted to help people, which is why I toyed with being a doctor, until I realised how smart you needed to be! Secondly, I have always been inspired by my dad, who has the most incredible entrepreneurial spirit. Thirdly, I have always enjoyed team sports, particularly rugby. So inadvertently, my current role has dovetailed well into those three areas. As I get to work in an innovative team that helps entrepreneurial business owners improve and grow. No wonder I enjoy it so much.
Tell us about your current role?
My job title is Business Advisor, which sits in our Business Accelerator team. I have more freedom than most accountants as I am not involved in any compliance-based work, like year-end accounts and audits or tax returns. I am the person clients come to help solve their burning issues within their business. Sometimes those are financial issues, which require a bit of accountancy work in pulling together a budget or a forecast. Other times, it is something totally unrelated, where I help clients find solutions and hold them accountable in achieving them.
What is your proudest business achievement?
There are a couple. Firstly, getting my professional qualification. That maybe underwhelming for some, but after years of hard work, to finally get them out the way was a huge cause for celebration. The second was launching our Research and Development service line back in 2019. It was a project that I took ownership of, and two and half years down the line, we are seeing real signs of success – not just in the number of claims we are doing for clients, but a noticeable cultural shift within the firm towards a more proactive client service.
How has your industry changed in the last decade?
I think technology has been a decisive factor other the past decade. Even eight years ago, when I was an accounts trainee, we were still dealing with a significant number of clients that had old fashion ledger cashbooks and the cliché shoebox of receipts. In fairness, we still have some clients like this! However, the rise of cloud accounting software like Xero has made it more accessible and user friendly for clients. With further regulatory changes coming in the next few years due to Making Tax Digital technology and advisory work behind it will be the way forward for the world of accountancy.
What are you currently working on?
One interesting R&D claim that I am working on at the moment is with a Middlesbrough-based firm that is developing a prototype that converts human waste into electricity, drinking water and fertiliser, which can used in third world countries. In terms of my coaching clients, I am working closely with an e-commerce business, which has exploded in the past 12-months. We are working on scaling their team, upskilling management and developing processes to match their size.
Tell us about the team you work with?
The Business Accelerator team compromises of myself and my colleague Bob Evans. He has a wealth of accountancy experience in both practice and industry, so is a great person to bounce ideas off. We are also assisted by a couple of Directors, Nick Wilson and Martin Wardle, who really understand the importance and impact of the advisory concept.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
It is something that I have been told multiple times by various mentors, but I have only recently noted its true value: “Pick up the phone”. How are you expected to be a trusted advisor to your clients if you don’t know them? This shouldn’t be used as an opportunity to push a product or service, just a chance to understand the problems that a client is facing and make a real connection with them. Often, we will pick up the phone to just ask “How are you doing?” It exponentially improves your ability to show you care and provide pro-active support.
What has been your biggest challenge?
I have been known to get caught in the moment and allow myself to easily get talked into various endurance. So far, I have run the Great North Run twice, cycled the Coast 2 Coast and walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks all on a bit of whim. The hardest challenge was the 24-hour Velodrome Challenge in February 2020. With no track cycling experience between us, Robson Laidler entered a team of six into the race, which had two professional squads competing. You can imagine the carnage! It was the most terrifying, tiring and fatiguing experience of my life. Getting up at 4am, after 15 minutes sleep, to cycle around in a circle, dodging 30 other riders on a bike with no brakes, is something I never want to repeat. But all for a great charitable cause! Who are your heroes inside and outside of business?
Outside of business, I always take inspiration from my sister. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a baby, she has suffered a lifetime of sickness and hospital visits. Up until the start of this year when she started a newly approved drug, she had a lung function in the low 30s and was on the verge of joining the transplant list. Despite this, she has fought not only this terrible disease, she has defied the odds and travelled the world raising tens of thousands of pounds for worthy causes. She is my inspiration every day.
Within business, was my grandfather. Who despite becoming a paraplegic at aged 38, rose to become the senior partner of the Newcastle branch of Arthur Young (now EY). He was the smartest man I have ever met, a renowned fundraiser and activist for disabled rights and all-round gentleman. I would also crowbar in Will Greenwood, the ex-England rugby player. The 2003 Rugby World Cup played a huge part of my childhood and I had a particular affinity to Will as he went to the same school as I did. He qualifies as a businessman as I have just read his latest book “World Class,” which explores the similarities of high performance in sport and business.
How do you unwind outside of work?
I love to cook; it is my way to unwind at the end of the day. I think most people tried to get creative in the kitchen during the various lockdowns, be it banana breads or sough dough starters. For me it was home-curing bacon. Boredom makes us do some curious things!
Another lockdown habit that has stuck is exercise. I have managed to persuade myself to fall back in love with running, although my times may beg to differ.
Favourite Book and Boxset?
Showing some local pride, I have been reading the DCI Ryan Series by L J Ross, which are set in the North East. To kill two birds with one stone, I have read and watched the complete works of Sharpe by Bernard Cornwell. I highly recommend.
In terms of my favourite Boxset, it has to be The Wire. The series chronicles the tribulations of a post-industrial American city, viewed from the perspectives of both the police and their targets.