Well known to colleagues across the firm, Jenny's exceptional attention to detail, and knack for double-checking, makes her a great asset to our cashroom team.
Marking this special anniversary seemed the ideal opportunity to have a quick word and find out more about career with Ledingham Chalmers, and what she gets up to outside of work.
What do you like best about your job?
My role is fast-paced and diverse, and there's plenty of variety. I am also lucky to work with a fantastic team.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned?
I've learned never to assume. And also to always double check, unless you are 100% sure.
What have been your career milestones?
Obtaining my Society of Law Accountants in Scotland (SOLAS) qualification in 1992, which allowed me to become a Scottish law accountant. Also, becoming the cashroom manager in 1997 at the age of 30. Legal cashiers were typically much older at that time.
What changes to the firm have you seen over the years?
A major change was when C&PH Chalmers merged with Edmonds & Ledingham to create Ledingham Chalmers in 1991. Other milestones include the mergers in 2012 and 2018 with Esslemont Cameron Gauld and Gray & Connochie respectively.
In 2019 Simpson & Marwick's Aberdeen estate agency practice transferred to our firm and — most recently — we acquired Anderson Shaw & Gilbert in Inverness last year.
How we work has changed dramatically too.
The cashroom used to have a machine the size of a piano, into which you inserted clients' ledger cards to print on the accounting entries. There were no emails, instead paper memos were delivered to cashroom and everything was cheque based.
Online banking didn’t arrive until the mid-1990s.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
My hobbies include travelling (I love a holiday), fashion and keeping fit.
What is your all-time favourite destination, and why?
Going to the Maldives on my honeymoon. The islands are unique and small so most of them can be walked around in half an hour. We went in 1996 and as there were no mobile phones it was “no news, no shoes” as they advertised it — ideal for a honeymoon
Tell us something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I went on the world’s longest zipline in the mountains in Ras Khaimah in the UAE. I flew down like superman strapped in face down!
Would you do it again?
I would, although this was over mountain terrain so maybe next time over water or something closer to land.
I once flew in a small twin propeller plane ride back from the Grand Canyon, which was hair raising as I could see through the door to the outside and felt as if I was on a bumpy bus ride as opposed to a flight. I would also love to try a hot air balloon ride one day.
Did you expect you'd still be working with the firm today when you joined?
No.
At the time, the firm only had seven partners, and I was keen to work in a larger firm. As it turned out, the way the firm evolved meant I didn't need to move to do that.