The third of our partner interviews is with Alison Henshaw, giving an insight into her role, interests and coping with lockdown.
About Alison’s role
What does your role as partner entail?
Mine is a client facing role and I like the fact that I work with a wide range of both owner-managed business and not for profit organisations. I also work closely with our Accounts and Assurance department to provide staff with help and assistance on assurance assignments.
What do you look forward to most when you start work each day?
Although a lot of my time is spent ensuring clients meet their statutory requirements with regards to the preparation and filing of accounts, my favourite part of the role is assisting both staff and clients to solve problems.
How have the events of the last year changed your way of working?
I have continued to work in the office throughout COVID so there has not been a significant change for me. However, in the early days of the pandemic the majority of my time was spent speaking to clients regarding government assistance and the furloughing of employees.
Outside of work
When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?
For Christmas, my husband bought me a National Trust membership so this year whenever possible we have spent our time exploring as many local National Trust sites as possible. As yet we have only managed to spend time in the gardens of these places visited but hopefully, we will soon been able to look around the buildings as well.
What are your top tips for a relaxing day?
A nice walk with a stop off at a coffee shop for tea and cake!
Favourites
What is your favourite song and what do you like about it?
I don’t actually have a favourite song but instead listen to music which is in line with my mood at the time. As a result I listen to a wide range from Dr Hook (my dad’s favourite on long car journeys when we were kids), Richard Marx and sound-tracks from musicals to Brian Adams and Savage Garden.
And your favourite food?
Desserts from The Sweet Petite on Mackie’s Corner in Sunderland. They do an amazing afternoon tea and have a wide range of desserts. My favourites are their Chuffles which are a chocolate dipped waffle topped with cheesecake and either fruit or more chocolate.
And finally…
If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go and why?
It has to be Hotel Bon Sol in Illetes, Majorca. As soon as I walk through the hotel door, I can feel myself relax. It is a small family run hotel which prides itself on excellent service and amazing food. This will be the first overseas holiday I book for 2022, post COVID-19.
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