“I used to head up the Private Client Department at the accountancy firm, HW Fisher. Although I am now semi-retired, I remain a consultant two days a week, which makes me the longest-serving member of the firm, currently working.

I wasn’t great at school but leaving at 16 and going to college was the best thing for me. I worked hard and eventually received the first prize in the Financial Accounts final ICAEW exams, much to my amazement, as my worst subject at college was accounts!

My career at HW Fisher has been very fulfilling. I developed the Entertainment Group and started our Sports Section, which aligned with my passions for music and sports. I continue to work with clients who are members of such bands as The Who, Status Quo, Deep Purple, to name a few, and household name footballers, which was a big achievement for me as a Tottenham Hotspur fan of over 60 years. No jokes about trophies please!

I am also a passionate photographer. I first became interested in “proper photography” when my wife and I went on holiday to Alaska 12 years ago. I bought a “grown-up camera” and started to learn how it worked during the two-week trip. The first place we visited had many eagles, and I was able to capture a few decent shots, which got me hooked. Hopefully, my photography skills have improved over time. I have been fortunate to travel to various iconic places, including the Masai Mara, Antarctica, Svalbard, the American deserts, the Far East, and more recently India and Sri Lanka. I also go to photography workshops where I meet brilliant professional photographers who have become clients. My photography has developed from wildlife to landscape shots and portraits as well, especially now I have five grandsons!

 

 

The photo that I entered for the Circle Square x Rankin competition was from my last trip to Mumbai. It shows the incredible scene from above as you enter the Mumbai Open Air Laundry which, through the DWIJ organisation, upcycles used jeans and other clothing fabrics, to give them second life. They are then sold to fund social activities in India.

 

 

The moment you capture the perfect shot feels like a Eureka moment, but editing the image is also very important these days. During this recent trip, I took over 10,000 photos, often taking five shots of the same scene to increase my chances of getting it right with the help of my Canon R5 camera.

Aside from the joy of taking a great photo, (or frustration of not getting it right!), photography has opened up a whole new community. I joined Loughton Camera Club in lockdown where we meet to critique our photos, and organise shoots. A few of us go further afield and travel abroad. The club runs regular competitions, and we will often have lectures given by guest photographers. Contrary to the usual preconceived ideas about photography clubs, we have some extremely dynamic and successful people to whom I owe an enormous amount for improving my photography skills.

Photography has also helped me appreciate more of the world around me, whether that be the light in the morning or the evening, the shades on the trees, or the glow of the sunset on a beach. It’s important to appreciate how important light is for a photographer and how to use it.

One of my proudest achievements (and scariest experiences) was when I was invited to my grandson’s school to give a talk about Antarctica to 40 six-year-olds. I showed maps and many of my photographs. The children were fascinated, and it was a special moment that I, and hopefully my grandson, Max, will always cherish. It lasted over an hour even though I had planned for 20 minutes.

I believe that the key to a fulfilling retirement is to stay busy and make the most of every moment. Time is precious, and I know that there will come a time when I won’t be able to climb those 40-foot sand dunes in New Mexico to capture the perfect shot. So, I have to make the most of it while I can. I’ll have the photos to prove it and my wife will have had a few weeks off from me!”

Circle Square Member Q&A

What 3 words best describe you? Persistent, obsessive and compulsive.

If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be? “Don’t waste your time or time will waste you” a line taken from a song by Muse, a band that my son and I love.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? First prize in the Financial Accounts paper when I qualified to become a chartered accountant.

Which person (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to dinner? Freddie Mercury or Jon Bon Jovi (remember the song Dead or Alive!)

How has age strengthened your advantage? Experience.

What inspired you to join Circle Square? The support that was provided to myself and my fellow partners, going through this career transition.