Mike Holdstock of Hessle – based accountancy practice Harris Lacey and Swain celebrated, in June, his 60th year work anniversary as an accountant.

He reminisces `Fresh out of school, I went to the Youth Employment Offices in Hull City Centre (my mother insisted on coming with me) and the choices were offices, shops and factories`

`There was a position for a junior audit clerk at Hird Major & Co in George Street, one of the few combined accountants and insurance brokers in the area at that time, and, after a successful interview (also attended by my mother!) I began work – and to this day that is the only interview of my career`

Mike remained at Hird Major & Co – which 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 says`Jack Major and Oswald Hird taught me valuable lessons in client relationships, how to nurture their businesses and consequently the many values I hold today – honesty, integrity, respect are a legacy of those earlier years`.

In 1987 Jack Major sadly passed away and his co-partners decided to sell the practice, which prompted Mike, Paul Train and Allan Nicholls to leave and form Holdstock Nicholls Train & Co, which celebrated 33 years anniversary before merging in November 2020 with Harris Lacey and Swain.

Mike says another `major influence` was his wife Ann, who he married in 1971 and supported his decision `100%` to start his own practice – she has been a `driving force` throughout his career which has no doubt contributed to his success and are very proud of their two children, Sally-Ann and Graham.

Mike has always been interested in sport and between the ages of 16 -18 played for Hall Road Rangers before moving on to other teams in the Sunday and Amateur Leagues, retiring gracefully at 30, but continuing to support Hull City, particularly in the 60`s when the team was full of characters.

He is proud to be a founder member of the Rotary Club of Hull Paragon since 1994, twice being president and serving on the District Team. Rotary is a fantastic organisation devoted to helping others, locally, nationally and internationally.

As a hobby Mike is an enthusiastic photographer and member of the Viewfinder Photographic Society and it never ceases to amaze him at the quality of images produced by his fellow members, which are highlighted at their major exhibition every October.

As far as hobbies are concerned, Mike`s interests are history, the English language and music. He is currently `running out of room` for his extensive collection of 50`s and 60`s rock`n roll vinyl records – not to mention his Joni Mitchell singles, albums, CD`s, cassettes, dvd`s, books etc.