Congratulations to David Crump, (Corporate Finance Director) and Hayley Lindsay (Business Services Senior Manager) who recently celebrated 20 year and 15 year work anniversaries at PKF SC retrospectively! We caught up with them both to find out more about their career journeys.

Please can you tell us about your career journey to date?

Hayley - "My career in Accountancy began 25 years ago in a small practice in Stapleford with a starting salary of £5,000 and day release to college. Alongside that, I worked evenings and weekends as a waitress at Morley Hayes. In 2003, I joined Tenon (now RSM) where I worked on a wide range of audit and non-audit clients.

In 2010, I interviewed for the role of Accounts Senior at Smith Cooper’s Haydn Road office. I still remember the partner with his feet up on the desk asking “When can you start? and just like that, my journey here began. Fifteen years have flown by. I’ve seen the firm grow, evolve, and thrive. I was promoted to Manager in 2012 and earlier this year became Senior Manager. I really appreciate being part of the Nottingham office, especially our Business Services team, they are the best group of people I have worked with in my career."

David - "In early 2005, I was a bright-eyed 27-year-old accountant working at a smaller regional firm, looking for something a bit different from accounts, audit, or tax work. I was assigned to assist a client on the sell-side of an MBO - Smith Cooper was acting on the buy-side. That deal turned out to be a turning point. Shortly after, I was approached by then-CF partner John Farnsworth, and having got a taste for corporate finance, I jumped ship and joined the team here. The rest, as they say, is history.

Fast forward 20 years, and I’m now a (still youthful!) 47-year-old CF professional. I’ve learnt a lot - including how to present numbers to best effect (though the accountants among you might spot the flaw in that!). I can honestly say it was the best career move I’ve ever made — not that there have been many!"

What is your favourite memory or most memorable moment over the past 15 years?

Hayley - "Apart from the very long period during lockdown when I used my ironing board as a desk, my favourite standout memory dates back to 2014. Nottingham Audit and Accounts spent the day cruising along the River Trent on a canal barge. We stopped off for lunch in Newark, the sun was shining, the drinks were flowing, and the atmosphere was great."

David - "Over the past two decades, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some brilliant people - colleagues, clients, and external professionals across the Midlands and beyond. Career highlights include my first KFC deal, the sale of Yeomans Outdoors, Fabrikat, and most recently, my favourite and “career-defining” deal: the sale of R.E.A.L. Education. It hasn’t all been nose to the grindstone - I’ll never forget being taken to Marrakesh by a client to celebrate the sale of his business!"

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in the past 15 years?

Hayley - "Over the past 15 years, I have come to truly appreciate the importance of leading by example. I believe in treating others with the same respect and consideration that I would expect for myself."

David - "Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. We’ve weathered the global financial crash, Brexit, COVID, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty - all of which brought M&A activity to a near standstill at times. But through it all, we’ve adapted, grown, and come out stronger.

Reading this back, it sounds suspiciously like a retirement / leaving speech… but don’t worry, it’s not! I may not make another 20 years, but I still (mostly!) enjoy what I do and I’m incredibly proud to be part of PKF Smith Cooper. I genuinely believe the current CF team is the best it’s ever been, and I look forward to many more successful years ahead.”