ARRIVEDERCI
The meaning of the Italian word Arrivederci is ‘goodbye, until we meet again’. Since Greaves West & Ayre opened our doors in 1918 we have said goodbye to some long standing members of the team. We started 2025 by saying a fond farewell to two key members of GWA –
Brian Tait and Derek Simpson clocked up an impressive 75 years service between them. Derek joined GWA in 1981 and Brian joined in 1993 and they have both played a large part in shaping GWA into the firm it is today.
Derek Simpson
Derek was one of the key members in our tax department, he was based at our Walkergate office in Berwick, however prior to this he worked in both the Hide Hill and Sandgate offices and began his working life at Greaves West & Ayre in the attic rooms in Foul Ford.
Derek retired at the end of February 2025 after a total of more than 43 years’ employment with GWA. He joined the firm in September 1981 following three years at university, and apart from holiday jobs during his time as a student, GWA has been his only full-time occupation.
Asked what he would miss most about GWA, Derek said that without doubt it would be the friendships which have developed over many years, not only with colleagues and Partners but also with clients – some of whom he has looked after throughout his time with the firm.
Now he has retired Derek will spend more time travelling with his wife Wendy, starting with a rail trip around Europe, taking in 10 capital cities along the way. The annual wine pilgrimage to France may also become a bi-annual event!
Derek is also heavily involved, in a variety of roles, at Duns Rugby Club, where he is currently Club President – a post he has held intermittently since 1991. His retirement from GWA will allow him to devote more time and energy, if that were possible, to the management of the Club.
Brian Tait
Brian Tait retired from GWA at the end of January after nearly 32 years of service. He joined the GWA team in 1993 when GWA bought the practice of G S Fleming & Wood and has been a key member of the accounts department. Brian started work with G S Fleming & Wood in 1976. Brian has spent over 48 years in the accountancy profession.
Brian very nearly took a different path in life, when aged 15 he applied for a job as an apprentice bricklayer with Stanley Miller and anyone who knows Brian will find this hilarious. Brian’s parents knew Brian better than he knew himself and deterred him from taking the role and after completing his exams at 17 he looked for a job in accountancy. His form teacher, Winnie Ewart was a next-door neighbour of George Wood and recommended Brian, and the rest is history.
He has very much enjoyed his career at GWA and is really going to miss the office rapport he has with everyone. The Partners and staff at GWA have had a big influence on his life and career. Friendships which have lasted a lifetime, and he counts himself very lucky and grateful.
Over his career Brian has seen GWA move from the analog world to the digital world in a smooth forward-thinking transition. This undoubtedly is the biggest change he has witnessed. The basic principles of how to prepare accounts has not changed however the tools available to do the job are not comparable with 1976.
When asked about his retirement he said his immediate plans were to relax at home and arrange more trips in the UK and abroad following his first love, Newcastle United.
Everyone at GWA sends their best wishes to both Brian and Derek for a long, happy and healthy retirement. They will both be greatly missed; however, we hope to keep in touch, and meet again in the future.
