CIVIC RECEPTION AT THE TOWN HALL

ROB YOUNG, in his last effective Presidential duty, delivered the response to The Lord Mayor of Liverpool during the civic Reception at the Town Hall on 29th June in the long overdue celebration of the Society’s Sesquicentennial – its 150th anniversary.

Thank You, Lord Mayor

Welcome to the much delayed Sesquicentennial reception.

As many of you also know this was originally due to take place in March 2020, and despite other attempts, at many times during the pandemic we thought this wouldn’t happen and it is at least third time lucky that we stand here today.

As many of you know my two years as President recently ended It is the first time since Leslie Hanmer in 1944-46 that a President has served consecutive terms which speaks for the near unprecedented times in which we have recently lived.

Unlike many presidents, rather than attending dinners my time was spent reviewing District Society constitutional matters via Lifesize (an inffuriating ICAEW version of Zoom).

I now need to say a big thank you to this year’s newly installed President Justin Lang for feeling sorry for me and allowing me to stand up in public at least once. Unfortunately, it wasn’t totally Justin’s decision, as sadly, he can’t be with us today having tested positive for Glastonbury flu, also known as Covid.

As the oldest society of Chartered Accountants, we as a committee felt it was important to complete the celebration of the 150th year. It is a long time ago but the last event in these celebrations was on 25th January 2020. This was putting in place the plaque that is blue on North John Street near to the spot where the original “14 gentlemen” met to form the Society.

I would urge you to keep an eye out for it as you pass the jewellers just opposite the Hard Days Night hotel.

Some six weeks after that event the world started to turn upside down and since then we have lived through events we wouldn’t have dared to imagine as we were squashed into that old historic room.

During the pandemic it was clear that Chartered Accountants played a vital role.

Not only in assisting clients and their employers through difficult trading times but advising on such matters as furlough claims sometimes within minutes of information being published by government.

The ICAEW itself also played an important role. Gathered through the District Society system Iain Wright’s reputation and influence team gave important feedback to government on the CBILS scheme. This led to the roll out of the Bounce Back Loans. Despite the bad press caused by some abuse these loans were vital for many legitimate businesses.

Nationally the Pandemic changed many things in the way District Societies connect with their members with many CPD offerings now delivered online.

During the pandemic the ICAEW also provided significant levels of engagement with its members providing vital education and information through daily updates and their communities. This increased engagement remains with much of the CPD now delivered centrally.

Going forward Justin and the committee remain committed to the return of events and plans are well underway for the dinner to take place once again this November – in fact on the traditional first Friday after the fourth Thursday in November – the 25th. In this fabulous Town Hall I’m reminded of the many people LSCA has represented in the last 150 years and the relationships and friendships it has fostered.

As we move forward I hope we can live up to that legacy and help to represent members in the next 150 years. Thank you to all for attending, to the Lord Mayor, the caterers and the staff of the Town Hall who have assisted today.

Also I would like to thank our regional Executive Alex Pilkington without whom none of these things would be possible So, finally, a toast - the city of Liverpool

Thank you.

My final duty today is to present one of our esteemed members with an Honorary Life Membership.

This gentleman has been a chartered accountant for longer than my life time, retired as a partner of PKF a number of years ago and has been a stalwart of our Society over many years.

On behalf of the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants, I give your Mr Jonathan Mounsey.

"Going forward Justin and the committee remain committed to the return of events and plans are well underway for the dinner to take place once again this November – in fact on the traditional first Friday after the fourth Thursday in November – the 25th"