Graeme Tennick founded Tennick Accountants in 2013 having worked for PwC and in the public sector. His Cramlington-based firm offers chartered accountancy coaching and data analytics services for small and medium-sized businesses.

What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? My very first job was working within A1 Industrial Trucks Limited on a Saturday morning. It was my dad’s business, and it was pretty much where I earned my pocket money along with a sausage sandwich. It was the life experiences I got from this which were most useful though.

What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? "Be the best version of you." I honestly struggled to limit this down to one but in times like these - when we are all swamped with information and starved of knowledge - it is such a fine balance between stagnation, growth, and drowning. You have all of this while also constantly comparing yourself with people, and facing targets that are always moving. If we enjoy the journey rather than just focus on the destination, we can truly live a far more fulfilling life as we may only have one shot at this one.

What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? Accountancy has historically been associated with - and actually been about – transactions, time and relationships. Accountants would be expected to manage the transaction side of things on behalf of business owners (often retrospectively), bill for their time and try to build and maintain long-lasting relationships. Technology now means more efficiency which allows for a more proactive support package; the focus on time has switched to outputs and sadly relationships have changed to being more faceless and remote both with clients and staff.

How has the pandemic changed the way you work? Off the back of the pandemic, we at Tennick Accountants are changing the time and transaction model to a transformation model. The transformation model builds better relationships by flipping outputs to outcomes so that business owners can achieve more in less time and live more fulfilled lives with more time, money and freedom; staff and clients are loving it.

Who is your role model in business? Whilst I get a curious glance with this title, my title is the chief impact officer and this is down to a number of role models who always encourage me to make a positive impact. It naturally started with my dad who started me on the journey of understanding business and opened my eyes to a lot of what that entails. Then there is my team and my work colleagues around the country and globally who continue to share insights and wisdom and provide the necessary accountability to guide us down the meaningful path that we are currently on.

What would your dream job be? My dream would be not to have a job and do a hobby. I have that today in my role at Tennick Accountants and I wouldn't change a thing about it other than say we want to do it for more people.

What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? Life is short. Choose something you love, something you're passionate about and choose something that will enable you to live a fulfilled life in all respects.

What makes the North East a good place to do business? Well, I am naturally biased on this one; the North East shares the values that I and the rest of the team at Tennick Accountants have at heart, and that is family comes first. The family and community feel of the North East is everywhere, from the football club in the heart of the city, to the absolutely amazing charities that support families and children at Christmas and beyond. The friendliness walking down the street is infectious meaning that you never feel alone and you always feel welcome.

How important is it for business to play a role in society? Huge! Without a positive society we have no business, and it is this same society that will hopefully provide the same platform I have been blessed with; to provide the next generation, including my two girls, with the foundation to continue making a positive impact in this world long after I am gone.

Outside of work, what are you really good at? Talking. I would also say coaching is a big passion of mine from both a personal level and in football. I also seem to have that 'hobby' I do during the week (aka work) follow me around at weekends too, but I wouldn't change this for anything.