THE CHARTERED ONE BIG INTERVIEW NIGEL LANCELEY

The Chartered ONE BIG interview

We are starting a new section with our Editor Martyn Best combing the area to meet some fascinating members of our Society who have achieved something special beyond their Chartered Accountant qualification.

He starts this new series with meeting up with our High Sherriff of Merseyside.

Lisa Govier, Client Director

Nigel Lanceley is not only one of our longest standing members of the Society, having qualified in 1972, but he is a truly fascinating character.

He is also a long-standing member of Royal Liverpool Golf Club and the chairman of two leading Liverpool-based charities, North West Cancer Research and Local Solutions and earlier this year he succeeded retired Judge John Roberts in the prestigious role, following his selection by the Queen in her capacity as the Duke of Lancaster.

After leaving the profession he joined Rensburg Sheppards from 1975 – now part of the Investec Group –until his retirement in 2016, becoming Senior Regional Director, and Group Compliance Officer.

“So, Nigel, it’s a true pleasure to meet with you, and to start with, how did you become the High Sherriff?”

“Martyn, it’s a pleasure to meet you too, and I’m delighted to be the first person to be featured in this new section.

“Well, I’ve been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2016, and have always enjoyed the public service element of that role, and becoming really engaged with many local issues, especially in the areas of addressing and combatting issues such as violence against women, and supporting young people. The appointment isn’t overly covered in secrecy, but one interesting element having been nominated and then appointed by Her Majesty is the wording that Her Majesty “doesn’t disapprove you”. I must have been lucky here, and it is such a great honour to continue the excellent work of my predecessors in this prestigious role.

“So, what are your key aims during your year?”

“As I said, my personal passion is to help young people, and I have been supporting a wonderful initiative called “Children Heard & Seen” which supports young people who have a parent in prison. This charity aims to help the 300,000 such children in this position.

“I have also developed a personal message of “We care, you matter”, and have also been supporting the Merseyside Violence Reduction Unit.

“In a more general outlook, the principal objectives of the role of High Sheriff include ensuring the welfare of visiting High Court judges, supporting the Royal Family, judges, police and other law enforcement agencies, the emergency services, local authorities, church and faith groups.” and snowshoeing and have explored various remote areas of the world.”

“I see that you also have some very interesting and diverse hobbies, and also share my own love of cycling.”

“Well, yes, you could say that. In 2012, I was part of a team that raised over £24,000 for local charities by cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End alongside Royal Liverpool’s former Secretary, Chris Moore.

“I’ve been very lucky in being able to follow the other sporting interest I have of golf – most notably due to Libby my wife also having that same interest. We met through golf in 1973 and we’ve had a great association with both Royal Liverpool and Caldy.”

“2012 was a very enjoyable year, as I was also one of the Olympic Games Makers” I think my adventurous streak began very early on, having been born in Kenya, where my father, an Army doctor, was posted after the Second World War. I was very lucky to meet Libby and now have three grown up children, Clare, Stuart and Zoe, and three grandchildren. We’ve had some great adventures trekking, hiking, skiing I’ve been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2016, and have always enjoyed the public service element of that role, and becoming really engaged with many local issues, especially in the areas of addressing and combatting issues such as violence against women, and supporting young people."

“Of course, you had a great career start”

“Indeed (with a hearty chuckle) – and I’d always advocate accountancy as not just a fine career, but also a good foundation for other avenues. I still retain great friendships with some of the Liverpool Society Past Presidents in Jonathan Mounsey, Mike Cox and Trevor Leary.

“I was educated at Rock Ferry Convent, Kingsmead School and Stonyhurst College, and on leaving school I took up articles in Chalmers Impey a firm of Chartered Accountants in Liverpool, and then with Blease Lloyd, before moving to Rensburg and Co stockbrokers and overseeing some amazing changes and growth there. The time at Rensburgs and then Investec really highlighted the value of an accounting qualification.

My personal passion is to help young people, and I have been supporting a wonderful initiative called “Children Heard & Seen” which supports young people who have a parent in prison. This charity aims to help the 300,000 such children in this position."

“Nigel, thanks for sharing this with our members, and our very best wishes for the rest of your year, and of course, take good care of that hugely impressive sword.”