Partner retires from Larking Gowen after 40 years’ service

Regional accountancy and advisory firm, Larking Gowen, is saying farewell to Partner, Chris Greeves, who retires on 31 March after more than 40 years with the business.

Chris joined Larking Gowen in 1981 as a Graduate Trainee, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984, becoming a member of the Institute of Taxation in 1985. He became a partner in 1991 and was elected Chair of Partners from 2017-2020.

His career started at the Queen Street offices in Norwich where he worked for three years, followed by two years at Holt before moving on to Dereham in 1986. He ran the Dereham office from 1995-2019 before moving full time to Fakenham in 2019.

He had another role as a regular contributor on Radio Norfolk’s Breakfast Show and helped present many breakfast seminars across East Anglia.

Over the years, he has advised, guided and looked after the interests of scores of owner-managed and family businesses across a range of sectors, particularly in Farms and Landed Estates.

Chris said: “After over 40 years with Larking Gowen, I feel the time is right to move on to the next chapter of my life.

“The firm looks very different from the one I joined as a trainee in Queen Street in 1981, but the spirit of Larking Gowen and the ethos of client service has been a constant throughout that time.

“I have really enjoyed working with the team, my clients and my fellow Partners, some of whom I have known for over 30 years.

“One of the real pleasures of the job for me has been working with different generations and seeing families and businesses develop and change. You get to know people well and become their trusted friend and adviser.

“I will be leaving a fantastic team in Fakenham and a truly successful firm that is in a great position to meet the new challenges that lie ahead.”

One of Chris’ long-standing clients in the region is Wells Harbour Commissioners.

Simon Cooper, a representative from Wells Harbour Commissioners’ office, comments, “Throughout Chris’ tenure, the Wells Harbour Commissioners have been through major changes and at times, when complex and sometimes difficult circumstances have arisen, the support from Chris in his very calm and personable way was always very welcome and assuring.

“We have engaged the services of Chris and the Larking Gowen team for many years for our accountancy and audit needs. During this time the Wells Harbour Commissioners have very much enjoyed and relied upon Chris and seen him very much as our trusted adviser, providing professional, diligent and timely support to us. We thank him for all his support and wisdom and wish him a very happy retirement.”

Larking Gowen hosted a retirement event at the Fakenham Racecourse on 23 March. Clients, fellow partners and colleagues attended to bid Chris a fond farewell and to celebrate his 40 years in the business.

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