Accountants adding and multiplying

Posted by John Humphries on 26/1/10 • Categorised as 2006 08 web posts, News, No. 31 Aug 2006

Sellens French new extension is opened by Michael Foster - left - with partners Keith Sellens - centre - and John French.

Local accountancy firm Sellens French is adding to its premises and multiplying its amount of office space, and Michael Foster was on hand to help the opening ceremony along. But there were 26 empty desks on Wednesday morning this week when all the staff gathered outside the firm’s new extension to watch Michael Foster perform the official opening.

Keith admitted that no expense had been spared: “The ribbon alone cost 60p (bought from ‘Bohemian Scrapsody’ next door). It was chosen by my secretary, Jan and the colour is burgundy – to match the colour of our logo.”

Why was the extension required? “As you saw for yourself, the office accommodation is rather cramped, indeed we did not have enough desks to accommodate all staff. The new extension will enable us to accommodate a further 8 staff without either relocating the business or setting up a satellite office in another location.”

Why didn’t you move to bigger premises elsewhere? “Well, we like it here, and it made more sense to expand these offices than experience the upheaval of moving away. We very much feel part of Bohemia and our staff contribute to the local economy by supporting the other businesses around us. And we always use local suppliers wherever possible to provide goods and services to ourselves.”

An accountancy practice was established at 93-97 Bohemia Road in 1983 by Brian Reade. Keith Sellens joined the practice as an employee in 1985, becoming a partner just three years later and buying Brian out in 1997. In 2001, John French brought his clientele and staff into the practice, doubling the size of the now two-partner firm to 14. This figure has nearly doubled to 26 today and Keith believes that Sellens French is now probably Bohemia’s largest employer. “We contribute to the local business community in other ways as well, such as by providing panellists on the local grants and loan panels which are operated by 1066 Enterprise as well as providing other mentoring services to clients of that organisation. All of these activities are, of course, voluntary,” he added.