Press Release: HB&O inspires loyalty

A firm which specialises in numbers has had to use all its skills to keep track of the long-service shown by its employees.
Six members of staff at Leamington accountants and financial advisers Harrison Beale and Owen (HB&O) celebrate a combined 130 years of service this year.
The firm, which also has offices in Coventry, has seen two members of staff celebrate 25 years service in 2009, along with four others who will be celebrate 20 years of service.
One of those celebrating two-decades at HB&O’s Highdown Road offices is senior accountant Jo Hancock, from Kenilworth.
When she joined the company in 1989 as a trainee accountant she was unsure where her career path led and had decided to see if she enjoyed her time at HB&O before making a decision on her long-term future.
Asked how she felt about the job today she said jokingly: “I still haven’t decided if I like it or not!”
“Obviously I have really enjoyed my time here. I have got to know the people really well and I enjoy the job,” she added.
“For me I think one of the reasons I have stayed so long is that the training was very good and they helped me to pass my exams first time around, which I was delighted with.
“Another factor is that the company has always been loyal and flexible.”
The two members of staff celebrating a quarter of a century with HB&O are Iain Goddard and Sue Linnet, while Ruth Calvert, Jo Leppard and Andy Jones have chalked up 20 years.
The company employs over 50 staff of which an additional eight have given at least ten-years of service to HB&O.
Rob Kendall is managing director at HB&O and has himself served 24 years with the firm.
He said: “First of all I would like to thank our loyal staff for their tremendous dedication over the years.
“When we take people on we always have one eye on the future, not only the company’s but also the employee’s, as the two inevitably go hand-in-hand.
“Our staff retention figures are very good and I think they illustrate that HB&O is a firm which inspires loyalty and offers a secure long-term career - something which can be difficult to find at the moment.
“We place great importance on training and career opportunities here at HB&O and I think when employees see that there are opportunities to move up the career ladder they are inspired to stay for longer.”

ENDS

Media enquiries:
Simon Gilbert
Advent Communications
2 Edison Building
E lectric Wharf
Sandy Lane
Coventry CV1 4JA
Tel: 024 7663 3636
http://www.advent-communications.co.uk