ACCOUNTANCY RELATIONSHIP SUITS THEM, SIR!

A South Wales accountant celebrating 40 years with the same firm has found a working relationship that really suits - preparing the accounts for a gentleman’s outfitters in the Valleys for over 30 years.

Director Bernard Morgan, who has worked for Broomfield & Alexander for four decades, will this year complete his audit of the 33rd set of year-end accounts he has prepared for Lamberts of Blackwood.

It will be the 73rd set of accounts delivered by the firm, which first started working for the retailer, founded by Tom Lambert, in 1933.

When Mr Lambert’s son Philip joined the business in 1968, he continued to retain the services of the firm’s Blackwood office, and first met Bernard in the early 70s when he took responsibility for the account.

The pair developed a personal rapport and strong professional relationship which has endured to this day – even co-incidentally running into each other in the maternity ward of the Royal Gwent Hospital when their first children were born in 1976.

Together, Bernard and Philip have seen many changes in both their businesses. Twenty-five years ago, Bernard was able to prepare Lambert’s accounts on the first computerised accounts system in Wales, installed by Broomfield & Alexander after an £8,000 investment – a massive sum in those days.

Now run by Philip and his wife Mary, Lamberts, on High Street in Blackwood, remains very much a traditional outfitters at its core, with the emphasis on service, quality and value, and one which has adapted to changing commercial demands by expanding its offer at either end of the age spectrum.

Lamberts now does a significant trade in children’s schoolwear, and also caters for the mature gentleman as well.

“We now have grandparents coming in with their grandchildren to get fitted out for school because this is where they came with their parents when they were small,” said Philip.

“Mary and I are delighted to see Bernard celebrate 40 years with Broomfield & Alexander – we both have the highest regard for him.”

“Apart from it being a professional relationship, it’s also been a friendly one, and we have always felt free to give Bernard a ring about any aspect of the business at all. He’s helped us through good times, and more importantly he’s helped us through tough times, which many businesses experience.”

Broomfield & Alexander managing director Robert Preece said it was very unusual for anyone to spend 40 years working for any one organisation. “On behalf of everyone at Broomfield & Alexander, I’d like to congratulate Bernard and thank him for his 40 years of service.

“I like it think it’s testament to the way in which this firm is able to meet the career aspirations of its employees, and our policy to nuture and train our staff for internal career development – something we strive very hard to do.”

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