CUMBRIAN accountancy firm David Allen is celebrating a milestone 25 years in business.

The Dalston-based firm is marking the occasion with a number of special initiatives and events.

The David Allen brand began its journey built on humble beginnings, initially from a garage conversion in 1997 when its founder, David Allen, who had turned 30 the previous year, had decided it was time to do things differently. Then in August 2001, the business moved into a purpose-built Dalmar House in Dalston, then later in October 2007 a three-storey extension was added to house the firm's ever-expanding team.

The David Allen group now consists of over 140 people, across five office locations, with expert services in accountancy, tax advice, payroll, debt recovery, investments, and pensions, as well as IT support.

Reflecting on the firm’s incredible journey, David Allen, Partner said, ‘Setting up my own business was an enormous step to take, but certainly the best thing I ever chose to do. I was starting from scratch, with a mortgage to pay and family to think of, with no clients on my books. To look at how far we’ve come is incredibly rewarding.’

‘I wanted to start a business that provided exceptional technical expertise but deliver exceptional customer service levels too. It was a great ethos to start a business on and we are still committed to that very same ethos 25 years later. I am excited for the next 25 years as we continue to grow. We have some fantastic plans to develop our people, continue to recruit the leading technical experts and continue doing a great job for our customers.’

Alison Welton, Managing Partner further commented, ‘Our business has continued to grow year on year, and an extensive proportion of that has been due to offering extraordinary levels of customer service and by providing consistently reliable premium business solutions to businesses and organisations across the region, thereby receiving amazing client referrals. This year we are immensely proud to be celebrating 25 years in business, not only celebrating our expansion and success, but celebrating all the amazing people involved in our journey.’

The team at David Allen are now busy preparing for their birthday celebrations, which will include a silver-themed bake-off judged by local baker, Gillian Potts, to raise funds for the firm’s charity of the year, the Calvert Trust.

The team will be thrown a 25 year birthday party, which will be a family fun day extravaganza in the summer, as well as receiving a silver themed gift.

There is also a ‘creative cow’ competition for local children to get involved with, and the winning entry will receive a prize and their creation hung at the Dalston head office.