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Senior partner at Hessle-based accountancy practice Harris Lacey and Swain, Mike Holdstock, is celebrating 60 years working in the profession.

The East Yorkshire accountant's career began in 1962 - with his mother firmly by his side.

“Fresh out of school, I went to a youth employment office in town with my mother – she insisted on coming with me – and the choices were jobs in offices, shops, and factories.

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“There was a new position for a junior audit clerk at Hird Major & Co on George Street advertised – one of the only combined accountants and insurance brokers in the region at the time. After a successful interview - also attended by my mother! - I began working there – and to this day, that interview is the only one of my career.”

He remained with the firm as it later merged with another practice and became Gillingwater Major Larter & Co - until 1987. He remembers his 25 years there as a pleasant and productive experience, learning and growing the knowledge that has shaped him as an accountant today.

He said: “Jack Major and Oswald Hird taught me some valuable lessons in client relationships, how to nurture their businesses and consequently many values I hold today – honesty, integrity, and respect – they are a legacy of those earlier years.”

In 1987 Mr Major passed away and his co-partners decided to sell the practice, which prompted Mike, Allan Nicholls and Paul Train to form Holdstock Nicholls Train & Co, which clocked up 33 years before merging Harris Lacey and Swain in late 2020.