Richard Brewster is a Sage 200, Reporting and Manufacturing systems specialist with over 25 years of experience. His unique blend of accounting expertise, decades of Sage experience and close relationship with Sage UKI, makes him a trusted advisor for businesses seeking to maximise their systems. Skilled at solving complex challenges and helping clients unlock the full potential of their software, Richard is one of the most recognised and respected leaders in the Sage Channel.
Richard Brewster
Technical Director
How did your journey with us start?
I started work as a trainee accountant in 1990. This was pre-Microsoft Windows, and during that time I was introduced to Sage Sovereign and Sterling. From there, as technology changed, I kept up to date with the latest Sage software and joined a Sage Business Partner in Sheffield. After a number of years there, a role came up at Smith Cooper, a small partner in Derby. I saw this as a challenge as there were only 2 other staff, and it really gave me an opportunity to affect change. I took the role and haven’t looked back!
What is your role and what does your day-to-day look like?
Each day can be very different although predominately these days my skills revolve around manufacturing and reporting, so I work with a number of sites with these requirements. Given my accounting background and general “worked with Sage forever” experience I am frequently introduced to sites that are new to us who just want to make what they have work for them and need someone with experience to explain what is possible. I really do enjoy those challenges as I can see the impact that our service has on a client who hasn’t had the best experience from the system in the past.
What’s your favourite PKF SCS memory?
10 years ago we split Systems off from Smith Cooper. Chris and I invested our own money in something that we both knew inside and out, but when it’s your own cash on the line it does make you stop and think. That was a really exciting time, but then seeing the first year’s results really confirmed that we had made the right decision.
It’s also great to see the team progress. It always makes me happy when someone tells me how to do something when I’ve previously shown them how something is done.
What are you most excited about in our future?
We have the £10 million plan which I believe we are not that far away from. That will be a great achievement. I am looking forward to seeing our established vendors grow and improve their offerings, but I think the main thing is growth and development. Continuing to grow the team in the right way with the right people while maintaining good client and partner relationships would be my goal. Afterall, we are the “Good Sage Guys to Deal With”.
For PKF SCS, it was inspiring to see at the company’s 10 year anniversary event how far we’ve come in a relatively short space of time, and I’m looking forward to the future – even if it means limping out of the annual PKF Smith Cooper football match every year before half time.
