Philip Allsop began his journey at BHP in 1982 as a graduate trainee. Now, after 42 remarkable years, he’s set to retire at the end of March. Read more to explore his varied career and legacy at BHP!
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Can you tell us about your journey with BHP? How did it all begin?
It began in 1982 when I joined as a graduate trainee. It was a different world – everything was on paper, only a few large clients had computers, BHP had none! Even fax hadn’t been introduced, never mind emails. And Barber Harrison & Platt, as it was then, had a head count of only 70, but we were in 2 Rutland Park, so that has been a constant, and I’m sorry to just miss out on the move to the new Sheffield premises, which I’m sure will be great.
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What inspired you to pursue a career in Accountancy?
By default, if I’m honest. My other option would have been engineering, but I opted for accountancy because my dad was a chartered accountant with his own practice in Eckington, near Chesterfield. But he acted for local shopkeepers and pubs, whereas at BHP, I enjoyed working on larger, more complex businesses and with a good team of colleagues, so I never ended up joining him.
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What’s a standout memory from your time at BHP?
Too many to mention over 42 years! I enjoyed many BHP Annual Dinner Dances, from the early days when one of the new graduates had to make a speech, 4 months after joining! More recently, I’ve enjoyed the BHP Fests.
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Are there any projects or achievements you’re particularly proud of?
In my early years at BHP, we were the accountants and auditors of South Yorkshire Supertram during the construction phase and early years of operation. I managed the audits and did lots of financial accounting work to support the refinancing of the infrastructure and then the sale of the operations, working with David Charlton, who did all of the tax work.
I’ve enjoyed working on regulated audit clients, starting with Nicholson Barber, a local firm of stockbrokers (which became the local office of Investec). Later, Sheffield Mutual Friendly Society and several other financial mutuals
When academy trusts were expanded rapidly by the coalition government around 2011, I led the establishment of our academies team, which is still going strong today.
I never thought that I’d be at BHP for the whole of my career. Still, one of the reasons that I stayed was that I was given the opportunity to undertake many different types of work. Another example is that for many years, I led the firm’s forensic accounting team, working on compensation claims, valuations, frauds etc.
One of the things I’m most proud of, as part of the BHP leadership group, is working with so many trainees over the years who have joined us fresh from school or university and developed to become great, well-rounded accountants, some still with BHP, many others working in businesses and other organisations. I think BHP has always been a great firm to train with because you get experience in accounting and tax as well as audit, and long may that continue!
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What lessons have you learned that you’d like to pass on to the next generation of employees?
Aim to get as wide an experience as possible, take opportunities to try new types of work, never be afraid to ask questions, take advice, and support your colleagues. BHP has been a great place to work throughout my time here, and one aspect of that is the way we support each other, so I’m delighted and proud of the firm’s status as one of the UK’s Best Places to Work
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What are you most looking forward to in retirement?
The obvious one of no time sheets! Being outside often after years of being in an office and looking at a screen. Watching cricket, walking, travelling and doing some volunteering. I may be leaving BHP, but I’ll still be around and very happy to chat, so please keep in touch.
