Celebrating our 50th anniversary at the House of Commons

On 11th April 2024, we celebrated THP’s 50th anniversary with a fantastic party in the Members’ Dining Room at the House of Commons.

We invited dozens of valued clients and supporters to the event. Attendees passed through the magnificent Westminster Hall which, when it was erected in 1097, was the largest hall in Europe. From there, they made their way through St Stephen’s Hall, flanked by statues of famous parliamentarians such as Robert Walpole, William Pitt and Charles James Fox.

A warm welcome

Everyone received a warm welcome when they reached the Members’ Dining Room. There were complimentary drinks for all, as well as a choice of delicious finger food. Guests and members of the THP team enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere as they caught up with each other or got to know one another.

While the main purpose of the event was to say ‘thank you’ to our clients for their support, we did have some short speeches to mark our 50th anniversary milestone. Before our Master of Ceremonies Chris Legge introduced the speakers, he pointed out that our trade secret was our ability to work as part of our clients’ thinking and planning.

Chris then introduced Paul Scully, the Member of Parliament for Sutton & Cheam and former minister in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Mr Scully praised THP and its clients for their entrepreneurship, as well as their efforts to help create wealth. He finished by wishing THP ‘more power to your elbow’ for the next 50 years.

The early days of THP

Next, Chris introduced our founder and chairman, Adrian Hart.

Adrian delivered an insightful and often humorous speech. In it, he explained how when he founded the business he was determined to make it different to run-of-the-mill accountancy firms.

“I have never particularly welcomed the authority of others.”

“My school days at Chigwell School were punctuated with regular corporal chastisement at the hands of masters and prefects, usually for some prank or dare.”

“And then, later, whilst in articles, I felt obliged to inform my senior partner that his son – also a partner – was incompetent to such a degree that I was unable to work under him.”

“So it was inevitable that – on qualifying and being admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in November 1973 – I turned down the offer of a partnership, determined never to be accountable to another.”

“Little did I realise then how running one’s own practice would lead to a multiplicity of accountabilities. On 14th January 1974, I set up Adrian C Hart & Co, Chartered Accountants, with no staff and clients.”

50 years of growth

After explaining how the business came into being, Adrian talked about how he secured his earliest clients, particularly from the worlds of theatre, film and television. He then told of how the company grew, acquiring key staff over the years and absorbing other accountancy firms such as George Nottage and Co and HE Godwin and Co. Both George Nottage and Pim Godwin were both present at the event as was Chris Johnson, one of the original three partners of Adrian.

While Adrian singled out many current and former THP staff for special mention, he made a very moving reference to our former Operations Manager, Samantha Rowe, who was sadly taken from us last year.

“Samantha Rowe joined George Nottage’s firm at the age of 16. I don’t think George could then have had any idea of how Sam would develop to become the backbone of THP’s administration – becoming responsible for HR, property management, software implementation and so many other tasks across our four offices.

Cancer took Sam from us last year at the tragically young age of 51. She worked tirelessly throughout her long illness – often well into the evenings – and her dedication to THP will long be remembered by all of us.”

Adrian finished his speech by thanking his wife Nessa – ‘my sounding board and devil’s advocate’ – who spent some 25 years as THP’s practice manager, and then by thanking all of THP’s clients.

So, if you’re already a THP client, thank you again for your support. And if you’re not, and you’re looking for a first-class accountancy firm with a track record of 50 successful years, get in touch today.