A CAREER change set chartered accountant Philip Thake on the path to becoming one of York’s best-known business figures and helped shape his management style.

Originally a PE and maths teacher at Bradford Grammar School, Philip is managing partner of HPH Chartered Accountants, Bootham, one of the city’s longest-established practices.

A sudden inkling that a better career lay ahead as a chartered accountant, made Philip quit teaching after four years in 1972 and trained with Peat Marwick Mitchell (KPMG), Leeds, where he qualified in 1976.

After a time at Shepherd Building Group, York, Philip joined HPH Chartered Accountants, previously Pulleyn Heselton & Co, in 1979 as a manager. He became a partner the following year and managing partner in 1990. He leads a team of three other partners and 26 staff.

The Harrogate and York practice, which works nationwide, but mainly in Yorkshire, provides a wide spectrum of accountancy services to businesses and individuals and is well known for its expertise in supporting small and medium enterprises and not-for-profit organisations, particularly schools.

“I try to win respect by leading by example” says Philip. “I’d hate to be a boss who frightens his staff, so I strike a balance of setting the standards I’d like to see emulated and being approachable.”

Philip, also the outspoken chief executive of York Conservation Trust, is first at his desk at 7.30am and last to leave the office, usually 11 hours later. “Every day, I visit each room to say good morning. I learned in teaching that teamwork is the best approach. It is what I try to encourage throughout the practice.

“It is harder to be a traditional boss nowadays as business life is more casual. It is about earning respect without becoming ‘one of the lads’ and, at crunch time, for everyone to know who the boss is because the buck stops here.”


Which job (other than your own) would you like to have and why?
If I was younger, then a professional sportsman, which was always my dream. Fancy being paid to pursue your hobby!

Greatest achievement?
Nothing outstanding, but probably changing professions and qualifying as a chartered accountant while working full time and supporting a young family.

Biggest mistake?
Too many to mention, but recently not persuading the Trustees of York Conservation Trust to increase their offer to purchase the Council offices at St Leonard’s Place and then being able to decorate the building immediately. It is a disgrace to this fine city!

What makes you most angry?
I am at that age when my family refer to me as Victor Meldrew and so there are many things that make me angry. If I had to choose one it would be some of the idiotic legislation emanating from the EU which this country seems to follow to the letter unlike the rest of Europe.

What makes you laugh?
Other than too much wine, my friends and particularly Berwick Kaler in the York Theatre Royal pantomime. When he was alive it was always Tommy Cooper.

What fools do you suffer least?
Malingerers and lazy people who are unwilling to work and expect the state to look after them.

Whom do you most admire and why?
Sir Winston Churchill because I may not be here today without his drive and leadership.

Also, the Queen for the way she conducts herself and promotes this country.

What do you need to make life complete?
Continued good health to enable me to enjoy my grandchildren if or when they are born.

How do you relax?
Golf, gardening, bridge, eating out with friends and family and watching most sports. As my wife has always said, “if it’s spherical he’ll watch it!”

Why do you make a difference?
I am not sure that I do, but I have always tried to lead by example by working hard and taking an interest in all my colleagues with whom I work. Name the organisation you see as the perfect one and why there is no such thing as perfection, but I admire the work done by many of York’s charities particularly York Against Cancer for what they have done for cancer care and support over so many years. Also York Civic Trust for the way it looks after this beautiful city. (I could not say York Conservation Trust could I?)

Favourite record?
I have eclectic taste But if I had to choose one artist then probably Neil Diamond and one track then “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”. Or any Mozart.

Favourite holiday destination?
To date Antigua, but there is still a lot of world to visit, God willing.

Your epitaph
“He loved life and tried to make a difference, but there just wasn’t enough time”.