Newsletter - June 2024
April is always an exciting time at Polson Higgs with the announcements of promotions and the new Graduates starting. This year has been particularly exciting with the promotion of Tom Hanning to Associate. Tom started as Graduate back in 2013, it’s always fantastic to see our people advancing and taking their opportunities.
April also saw the “promotion” of two of our longer serving people, Tim Dunn, and Henry Van Dyk to consultants. Whilst Tim and Henry are both stepping back from the partnership, as consultants, we will still have access to their over 70 years of experience. As Tim explained the difference is, as a consultant is you fit a bit of work in around the fishing, rather than a bit of fishing in around your work.
Enjoy the newsletter and as always if you have any questions just ask.
Mike
In this newsletter
- Tom Hanning Associate
- Henry and Tim become Consultants
- Our 2024 Grads
- Young Enterprise Scheme
- Community Partners initiative - North East Valley Community Development Project
Tom Hanning becomes an Associate
We've recently announced the promotion of Tom Hanning to Associate. Starting as a Graduate in 2013, Tom has been part of the firm for over a decade. Managing Partner, Michael Turner, said “Tom has played a major role in our rural team and has always impressed with his leadership skills. It is always great to see former Graduates advance and take the opportunities that get presented to them”.
Growing up in rural North Otago, Tom always had a strong interest in the Agri-sector. He recalls spending time on his grandparent’s farm in South Canterbury as a kid and working on various farms throughout his school and University holidays. Now leading the Rural team at Polson Higgs, Tom’s passion has become his profession.
Speaking with Tom, he explained that he is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn off Tim Dunn during his time at Polson Higgs. Both share the same passion for the rural sector and a love of the outdoors. Tom said, “I’m eager to build on the foundations laid by Tim, and I’m excited about the opportunities for our Rural Advisory Team at Polson Higgs”.
Getting out in the tussocks looking for a deer or pig for the freezer is where Tom enjoys spending his spare time. Although the hunting boots haven’t been walked quite so much lately. Having two preschool aged children, Tom, and his wife Oriagh, are just busy enough
When asked about what he was looking forward to most about becoming an associate, Tom advised “Visiting our clients on their patch of dirt, understanding where they are heading and how I can help them get there”.
Henry and Tim Consultants!
On April 1, Henry van Dyk and Tim Dunn changed their roles within the firm, stepping back from the Partnership and becoming Consultants.
When Tim first walked in the door at Moray Place back in 1981, it was a very different office from today. Rob Muldoon was Prime Minister; Compact discs had just started to replace vinyl records. More importantly for a cricket mad young Grad, Australia had bowled the infamous underarm delivery to win the 3rd ODI against New Zealand.
In his farewell speech Tim took time to reflect on his career of 43 years, and the changes that he had seen. He had seen (thankfully) the end of walk shorts in the workplace and the introduction of all manner of computer technology. But what had not changed for Tim has the importance of his relationships with his clients and the team at Polson Higgs.
As a consultant Tim will still be available, lending his experience to the team. There maybe just a little less cricket discussed in the tearooms.
Tim circa the 80’s.
Henry's farewell morning tea.
Henry's decision to step back from the partnership and become a consultant was about opportunity. After 37 years, he decided he wanted the opportunity that the freedom of being a consultant offers.
Understandably after 37 years, any job would be a large part of your life. For Henry it has been even more of a family affair. Henry met his future wife Megan, when she was a Grad in the office, and all three of his sons have worked in some capacity at Polson Higgs.
Speaking at his farewell Henry explained to the team that it was important to take the opportunities that come your way. He described how when he had only just started, he was “asked” by a Partner if he wanted to become the Treasurer of the Corstorphine Baptist Community Trust (CBCT). He did admit that he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to refuse, when he accepted. But 30 plus years later, Henry is still on the CBCT Board.
As a consultant Henry won’t be a complete stranger to the office, but it is highly unlikely he will be about if there any Football on Sky.
Our 2024 Graduates
Our 2024 Graduates have started their business journey at Polson Higgs. Jackson Toms, Joseph Ogier and Teresea Lunn have joined our Accounting Solutions team, and Yuta Honda has joined the firm as part of the Tax team.
With over a month under their belts now, the graduates are starting to settle into their working life at Polson Higgs. Introducing our 2024 graduates:
Jackson Toms
Jackson is born and bred from Roxburgh, coming off a Cherry orchard, he is a true country kid at heart. In his spare time Jackson loves to go fishing with his mates and he plays rugby for Kaikorai in Dunedin.
Joseph Ogier
Joseph attended Bayfield High School before making the move to the University of Otago, where he finished his four-year accounting degree within three years. He enjoys going boating, skiing in the winter months, and playing football.
Tereasa Lunn
Tereasa started working at Polson Higgs in 2018 in an admin role after working in Australia and around New Zealand. In 2024, she decided that she would continue her study towards an accounting degree and joined our graduates. Outside of work, Tereasa is a busy mum with two kids and to relax does barrel racing.
Yuta Honda
Yuta is a keen musician; he currently plays the bass but has a desire to learn more instruments. He is also a keen golfer, always keen for a round with friends here or back home in Queenstown. Currently he is the Treasurer of the Citizens Advice Bureau in Dunedin.
Young Enterprise Scheme
We are continuing our relationship with the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) for 2024, as a local sponsor of the annual Pitch Day challenge. The YES program is a school led course that allows High School students start, operate, and run their own businesses. They must come up with a product or a service, allocate roles to each member within the team and operate the business together.
The Pitch Day challenge will be held on the 12th & 13th of June, in the Anderson Room at Polson Higgs. Each team pitched their business to a panel of Judges, composed of Businesspeople from around Dunedin including Polson Higgs staff. The winner receives a business support package worth $2,000.
The program attracts schools from all over the wider Dunedin area, with over 60 teams competing in the program this year.
Community Partners Initiative -
North East Valley Community Development Project
Polson Higgs have partnered with the North East Valley Community Development Project as part of the Community Partners Initiative. The NEV Community Development Project is a volunteer led program that builds community connections and promotes the wellbeing of local families.
As part of the Development Project the team from Polson Higgs are providing their time and expertise to help support the growth and personal development of the Valley Project volunteers by running four training seminars.
We are running workshops on; HR, Xero, Cashflow & Budgets and Strategic Planning. The aim of these seminars is to give better insight and provide more understanding to help upskill the volunteers who help provide support to local groups in the community.
You have received this email because you are subscribed to Polson Higgs mailing list.
If you no longer want to receive messages from us simply click the link below to unsubscribe.
Unsubscribe Here
Copyright © 2023 Polson Higgs, All rights reserved
