In 1994 Bruce Montgomery joined our Ashbourne team before being promoted to Partner in 1996. After an incredible 30 years growing our Ashbourne presence, Bruce is now signing off for the final time!

We sat down with Bruce to find out a little more about his career journey at PKF Smith Cooper.

Hi Bruce, 30 years is no small stint! Congratulations on such a long and impressive career with us. Can you tell us a little bit more about your career journey?

I joined as a Manager in April 1994 from Cooper Parry, to replace David Clift, who was due to retire and then worked alongside Tom Sread and John Robertson in Ashbourne and Buxton before being made a Partner in 1996.

At that time the principal Partners were Tim Smith, Andy Delve, Paul Duffin, Ellis Cave and Tom Sread, with Burton probably being the biggest office. We also had offices in Alfreton and Mansfield. When John Robertson retired through ill health, we doubled our efforts in Buxton to keep the fee base together. There have been many changes over the last 30 years, with new Partners coming in and many Partners retiring!

Some changes have worked, and some haven’t, but overall, we have never shied away from making them or taking new challenges on, and this is a big strength of PKFSC. The Ashbourne office has grown significantly through the years, both in terms of fee income and staff numbers. I am immensely proud to have been a Partner at PKFSC for so many years and to have owned a part of such a great business. Through hard work it has generated a good standard of living whilst being able to maintain a healthy work-life balance, so much so that I have never considered working elsewhere.

What is your fondest memory during your time at PKFSC?

Probably being invited to meet the Partners at the annual Partners conference that was held each year at Callow Hall. It was in May 1996 at the fairly tender age of 31, and I was so proud to be offered partnership to be working alongside Tom Sread and John Robertson, following David Clift’s retirement. And it meant I got a company car!

It goes without saying that we all wish you a long, happy and healthy retirement Bruce. But before you go, do you have any words of wisdom for us?

I’d have to say – be bold. Don’t be afraid to let senior staff know what your ambitions are. We want to hear that team members have ambition and want to reach their personal goals!

Thank you for 30 incredible years of service Bruce, we wish you all the best!