For Ian Lamb, Managing Partner at Smailes Goldie Group, variety has been the key to sustained success at the top of one of the region\u2019s most well-regarded accountancy, tax and business advisory firms.<\/p>\n
This year, he passes the milestone of 40 years as a Partner at Smailes Goldie Group, leading the firm through a period of enormous change, in the accountancy profession, in the regional economy and society more generally.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have very much enjoyed the entirety of my 40 years as a Partner at Smailes Goldie Group,\u201d says Ian, reflecting on four decades at the top of one of the region\u2019s most prominent independent accountancy practices.<\/p>\n
Having joined Smailes Goldie Group immediately after A Levels in 1977, Ian qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1981, before becoming a Partner in 1983.<\/p>\n
Originally intending to attend Loughborough University to study Civil Engineering, Ian changed course towards the accountancy profession because he wanted an option that would allow him to continue teaching and coaching ballroom dancing in Hull.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, I was teaching ballroom dancing for as many as 25 hours each week and I wanted to continue doing so. I would not have been able to continue had I gone to Loughborough, so I was keen to remain in Hull,\u201d said Ian.<\/p>\n
After speaking with various regional and national accountancy firms at careers events, Ian opted to join Smailes Goldie.<\/p>\n
While training at the firm, Ian obtained outstanding results in his professional exams, which were a key element of his journey from unqualified trainee to Partner in just over five years.<\/p>\n
The last 40 years have seen enormous changes. In 1977 when Ian joined Smailes Goldie, Elvis Presley was topping the charts, the currency had only been decimalised for six years, Jim Callaghan was Prime Minister and Denis Healey was Chancellor.<\/p>\n
Fast forward 10 Prime Ministers and 14 Chancellors and the world looks a very different place indeed.<\/p>\n
Locally, Ian says that there have been enormous changes in an around Hull. \u201cThere are many genuinely first-class businesses that have been established in Hull during my time as a Partner at Smailes Goldie Group, including many that have built on the successful redevelopment of the city\u2019s docks,\u201d said Ian.<\/p>\n
The accountancy profession has also seen significant changes over the last 40 years. The most obvious, says Ian has been technology \u2013 something everyone who has experienced life over the last 40 years will know well.<\/p>\n
However, the second change highlighted by Ian is much less obvious but perhaps similarly significant. That is the level of specialisation, and at an earlier stage in accountants\u2019 careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a long time there has been a trend towards specialisation at an increasingly earlier stage in a person\u2019s professional life. This has long been the case in the largest firms but is being seen more and more in mid-sized firms nowadays.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoubtless, the idea of becoming a specialist in a particular area is alluring, but it is a surefire way to cut yourself off from vital knowledge about other areas of professional practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo area of practice exists in a vacuum and virtually all elements are intertwined with others, meaning that there is an enormous potential advantage in maintaining a commitment to developing a breadth of knowledge as well as a depth of knowledge,\u201d says Ian.<\/p>\n
Ian points to his own and Smailes Goldie Group\u2019s resistance to this trend towards specialism as part of his and the firm\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Big Four have been particularly focused on specialisation, and it is easy to see the logic they have been following.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, in practice, we can see the problems this creates having been on the side of transactions from specialists in Big Four firms. They simply have not got the rich understanding of what their knowledge means in the real world, which is full of different considerations which affect the outcome for the client,\u201d says Ian.<\/p>\n
Contrasting with the most prevalent trends in the profession, Ian\u2019s proudest achievement during his time at Smailes Goldie Group has been in driving the firm\u2019s commitment to people, training and standards, something that has proven a particular advantage given the current recruitment crisis in the profession.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn many ways having such a strong focus on our people and their professional development is a no-brainer,\u201d says Ian. \u201cIn any professional firm, the quality, and therefore value, of the service we offer is indistinguishable from the performance and expertise of our people.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, too many firms have overlooked this basic fact and have focused on other things instead. I suspect where this is the case, it is patently obvious to their clients.\u201d<\/p>\n
Away from his professional life, Ian\u2019s approach is similarly filled with variety. He was a highly successful ballroom and Latin dancer, and his son has followed in his footsteps, achieving great things on the dancefloor.<\/p>\n
He also has a strong passion for ice hockey and was instrumental in Smailes Goldie Group becoming a lead sponsor of the Hull Seahawks (formerly Hull Pirates) professional ice hockey team.<\/p>\n
Having very much enjoyed his 40 years as a Partner at Smailes Goldie Group, Ian says he has no plans to retire. Indeed, he is looking forward to seeing another intake of trainees embark on their careers as Chartered Accountants at Smailes Goldie Group this autumn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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