THE boss of JF Hornby & Co has hailed one of his team members as ‘an industry treasure’ as she prepares to mark 10 years with the business – and almost 60 in the sector.
Paul Hornby says Pat Wilson is one of the best signings he ever made, a decade after he persuaded her to join the firm.
Pat, who was 64 at the time and contemplating retirement, says she has not looked back since accepting the offer and loves her job with the business.
Long service: Pat Wilson
“I had been with my previous employer for more than 30 years,” she said. “It was with another accountancy firm and for a boss who was amazing. I had so much respect for him and the way he conducted himself. When he retired and I left, I couldn’t imagine ever finding a business where I would be as happy or feel as valued.
“But I got very lucky, because my career at Hornbys has been every bit as fulfilling, rewarding, and enjoyable. I love the team here and have so much respect for my colleagues – they are wonderful.
“A lot of the clients I had worked with in my previous role moved to JF Hornby when they heard I had started to work there, so I have had the opportunity to continue to support them, which has been wonderful.”
Pat started work in the accountancy department of the National Coal Board in 1966 and was based in South Yorkshire. Her job included producing profit and loss and management accounts for the region’s various collieries.
However, nationwide industrial action in the early 1970s meant her job was under threat, and she decided to move to Barrow to be with family.
First job: Pat (right) with her Coal Board colleagues
For a period of time, she worked in various roles, including at the then-Vickers Shipbuilding Company, and was also something of a whizz at table tennis, representing the Barrow Working Men’s Club.
“I remember I had to enter the club through a different door to the men – women were not allowed to be members back then – and I was not allowed to approach the bar for a drink.
“That was the case at all working men’s clubs. However, as time passed, the rules did start to relax. But for a period, I was something of a novelty on the working men’s club circuit due to my table tennis skills.”
After a career break to start a family, a return to the world of accountancy followed, with Pat joining a small local company at which she remained for 33 years.
There, she was personal assistant to the senior partner and would work alongside him to manage and – among other things – would prepare client accounts for filing and tax returns.
She joined JF Hornby & Co in 2015 and works with a diverse range of businesses. Pat is particularly well known amongst the Chinese community in South Cumbria and counts many businesses with Chinese owners as her clients.
She said: “So much has changed since the days of the coal board; technology has moved on massively, but you have no choice but to adopt it and move with the times.
“I’ve certainly done that throughout my career and I’ll continue to do so for as long as I’m here.
“I have reduced my working week, but I can’t see myself doing anything else – I love accounts, I love working with clients – many of whom I’m proud to call friends – and I have no plans to go anywhere.”
Managing director Paul Hornby said: “Pat is an industry treasure – she is fantastic at what she does and her personality is infectious.
“It’s a privilege to have her as a member of our team and I’m very pleased to hear she has no plans to retire. Office life without Pat would not be the same, so long may her career at JF Hornby & Co continue.”
