It’s time to meet Richard Brewster, Technical Director, who is celebrating 20 years at PKF Smith Cooper Systems!
Here at PKF SCS, we value each and every employee, and we are proud that we have so many long-standing colleagues.
Congratulations on 20 years with us, Richard, here’s to many more!
How did you come to join PKF SCS?
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!
How has the company changed in your time?
Apart from its size, the main change is down to remote working and the introduction of technology. Initially when not on site we had to come into the office at 8:30am and be there until 5:00pm. It was also full suits and ties. Covid certainly changed the way we all work and enabled a much better work-life balance. The growth of the company has been amazing too. With so many talented people on the team, it makes it a much better place to work as there is always someone to reach out to who can support you.
I have also seen three offices and four logos!
What has been your favourite moment so far?
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.
Who is your favourite colleague and why?
You can’t seriously expect me to answer this question? It’s like asking me which of my two children is my favourite!
Bringing me a coffee and half a biscuit definitely helps.
What’s the best thing about being at PKF SCS?
The team and the banter. We have a great team who can step up and do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. They are also a great bunch of people who I could easily go to the pub with. I consider myself lucky to have a team who are also great friends.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years?
We have the £10 million plan which I believe we are not that far away from. That will be a great achievement. It would be good to see some stability in some of our vendors, as that would make everyone’s life easier.
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.
That is all for this time around, thank you very much for reading and a huge thank you to Richard for sparing the time to answer our questions!
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