This month, AGN Member Firm Dains celebrates an extraordinary milestone—100 years in business. In this reflection, Richard McNeilly, Chief Executive Officer of Dains, looks back on the firm’s remarkable journey from its founding in 1926 to the thriving business it is today. He explores the values that have endured across generations, the importance of continually adapting to change, and why, even after a century, the firm’s focus remains firmly on helping clients navigate the future with confidence.
A Century of Growth: The Story of Dains
Reaching a centenary is something few businesses achieve. Across the Group, we are fortunate to have firms with proud and longstanding histories. Barnes Roffe, for example, is celebrating 127 years this year and William Duncan will turn 107. These milestones reflect generations of people, clients and communities who have shaped the businesses we are today.
Dains’ story began in 1926 when Charles Lesley Dain founded C.L. Dain & Co. in Lichfield. Known as Lesley, he chose a career in accountancy over a place at Sandhurst, deciding to build a future that would support his family and create opportunities for others. It was a decision that would ultimately lay the foundations for the business we know today.
Lesley built the firm alongside his wife Nancy. During the Second World War, he served as an Air Raid Warden in Lichfield, cycling from his home in Four Oaks to carry out his duties. Through periods of uncertainty and challenge, he continued to build the business and support his clients.
The Values That Have Endured for 100 Years
What stands out most when reflecting on Lesley’s story is not simply that he founded a successful firm, but the values he embodied. He believed in creating opportunities, championed women in the profession at a time when this was far from commonplace and dedicated his career to helping others succeed.
When ill health forced him to step away from the business in 1975, he chose to entrust it to those who would continue building on what he had started rather than simply bring the journey to an end. His legacy lives on today.
Adapting to a Changing Business Landscape
When you consider everything that has happened over the last century, it is remarkable how much the world has changed. Dains has supported clients through economic booms and recessions, financial crises, changing governments, technological revolutions and entirely new ways of working. We have gone from a world without computers, email or the internet to one being reshaped by artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Yet throughout all that change, our role has remained remarkably consistent: helping clients navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities and achieve their ambitions.
Businesses do not reach 100 years by standing still. They survive and thrive because they adapt, evolve and continue to provide value to their clients. That has been true throughout Dains’ history and it remains true today.
The People Behind Dains’ Success
I’d like to thank everyone across the business, past and present, who has contributed to that journey. Our success has always been built on the expertise, commitment and relationships of our people.
As part of the celebrations, our Midlands DITC team has organised a charity event for Home-Start UK, raising more than £3,000.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for Dains
Whilst it is important to reflect on where we have come from, our focus remains firmly on the future. The challenges facing our clients today are different from those faced 100 years ago, and they will continue to evolve. Whether it is artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty, sustainability, talent challenges or future regulatory change, our responsibility is to help clients navigate what comes next with confidence.
One hundred years is an incredible achievement, but it is not the destination. It is simply another milestone in an ongoing journey.
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