Pictured above: Barrie Sowden
Two accountant seniors at Lincolnshire chartered accountants
Nicholsons are celebrating 40 years with the firm.
Barrie Sowden has been with the company since October 1969,
while Alan Taylor joined the following month.
Both highlighted the friendly working atmosphere at the firm,
and the variety of work and clients they get to deal with as
reasons why they still enjoy working there.
Barrie is involved in accounts production, and has a particular
specialism in preparing pension scheme accounts for clients.
He said: "I came to Nicholsons after a brief period at another
practice where I didn't feel I was really getting anywhere. At the
time the managing partner at Nicholsons, John Hunt, was the
training partner for all students in the area, and when I came to
see him for advice, he told me there was a job going here - I got
it and I've been here ever since.
"Over time I've gathered the experience to move up to a senior
role and I've gained a specialist knowledge in areas such as
pensions, so I tend to deal with those quite a bit, but I still get
involved in a wide variety of other work as well.
"I've always been happy working here and I know the clients
well, some of whom have been with us a very long time. In fact, I
have one client who I met in my first month at the company and I'm
still working for him today."
Outside of work, Barrie enjoys spending time with his
grandchildren, and watching sports, particularly rugby and horse
racing.
Pictured above: Alan Taylor
Alan also joined Nicholsons as a trainee - or a junior articles
clerk as they were then known - and stayed on with the company
after passing his exams.
He said: "The work here is interesting and it's a friendly team
where you get to know people, so I've never wanted to go anywhere
else.
"There have been quite a few changes since I first joined
particularly in terms of the technology we have - we didn't even
have calculators then, just mechanical adding machines, which I
still use occasionally, but computers have gradually taken on more
and more importance and we're now nearing a system where nearly all
filing is done online."
Outside of work Alan, who lives in Lincoln, likes playing bowls,
reading and going to RSPB meetings.
Nicholsons Senior Partner Richard Grayson said: "Alan and Barrie
are both highly-valued members of our team and to reach 40 years
with one company is a fantastic achievement. We're very grateful
for the role they have played in Nicholsons' success during the
time they have both been here."