South Shields business celebrates 65th anniversary

(Front L-R) Founding partner Bill Dick with son and managing partner Andrew Dick along with their dedicated team of staff.

G.W Dick & Co. chartered accountants, based at Earl Grey House on Beach Road, South Shields, is still going strong - after more than six decades.

Founded by Bill Dick in April 1953, in that time the business has seen huge changes in accountancy, supporting its customers throughout.

Bill, who is the founding partner of the business, even continues to come in to oversee his dedicated team of nine staff.

The businessman now works alongside his son Andrew Dick, 47, who is managing partner.

Traditional family values remain at the heart of the business and some staff members have worked for the firm for around 30 years.

On the 65th anniversary, Andrew said: “We are all proud of Bill’s achievements, having started the business back in April 1953 and 65 years later we are still going strong.

“During this time we have seen massive changes in the legal, business and tax environment and we have supported our clients successfully through these changes for over six decades.

“I have been working in the family business for over 28 years and I’m looking forward to being of service to the business community for many years to come.

“Our traditional values, embracing modern technology, have served us well in the past and we look forward to helping our clients with future challenges such as Making Tax Digital.”

Bill Dick qualified as a chartered accountant in 1952 and began working from a one-roomed bedsit in John Clay Street, South Shields.

In the 1960s G.W. Dick & Co. rented its first office on King Street, South Shields, and recruited two staff.

As the client base grew in the 1970s, Bill moved to a bigger premises on Fowler Street and Bill’s son Andrew began to come into do filing and earn pocket money.

In the 1980’s business was booming and the firm purchased a bigger premises on Beach Road, South Shields, and recruited more staff.

In 1990 Andrew joined the business as a trainee accountant and became a chartered accountant in 1994.

Together Bill and Andrew supported clients through Self Assessment, one of the biggest changes to the tax system at that time.

In 2010 the business embraced the challenges of the digital age and supported clients through the introduction of Real Time Information, Auto Enrolment and making Tax Digital.