Crowe celebrates 175 years of helping businesses realise their ambitions
National audit, tax, advisory and risk firm, Crowe, celebrated 175 years since its foundation at a reception for clients, colleagues and guests of its Midlands office, which was held at The Black Country Living Museum.
Johnathan Dudley, Midlands managing partner and national head of manufacturing at Crowe, addressed guests by acknowledging how the world of accountancy and business has been revolutionised over the past 175 years.
He said: “It was once near-impossible to imagine what artificial intelligence, robotics and the explosion of the internet of things, among others, would mean for future generations.
“In 1843, finance was calculated on an abacus and recorded with quills in leather bound ledgers, until the need for calculating power drove innovation.
“Computing, once introduced, was very different from today’s laptops and mobile devices, with whole rooms given up to the operation and storage of just a few megabytes.”
He contrasted computing’s early days with the current focus on data – often described as the “New Gold”.
“Now, we collect, analyse, protect and are reliant upon data, with it driving much of our business planning and decision making in supporting our clients.”
Dudley added that Crowe’s mission to provide smart decisions and provide lasting value to its clients was as strong now as it was in 1843.
“We are driven by the needs of our clients, and thrive on helping them realise their ambitions. We care deeply about the quality of what we do, our shared values and our long term relationships with our client community.
“Looking to the future, we will continue to be there to help entrepreneurs and businesses innovate, develop and exploit new technologies.”
Nigel Bostock, chief executive of Crowe UK, spoke of Crowe’s local, national and international reach as the eighth largest global accountancy network, with 220 member firms in 130 countries serving clients’ needs.
He said: “We are delighted to be celebrating our proud history at Crowe, and to be standing today as a leading firm and part of a connected global network.
“Since our beginnings in 1843, clients have remained at the forefront of our purpose and what we do. While the climate for business has changed over the past 175 years, what has remained consistent is our dedication to helping clients make smart decisions that create lasting value, both now and in the future.
“Looking ahead, we stand more focused than ever to provide trusted advice and solutions that lead our clients to realise their full potential”.
