On the 30th July 2021 the Harris Black Team got together for their annual staff day. This was the first year the function has been held outside of our Ann street premises with the team migrating to the Stamford Plaza for a day full of vision and fun.

The day started off bright and early with a light breakfast while admiring the views which the river room had to offer. Our day then continued with an insightful presentation on the firm’s journey through the ages, our last year’s achievements, and the further strengthening of our Harris Black strategy.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions our first guest presenter, James Mason, had to dial in via Zoom. Despite this James gave a modern presentation on the topic of Innovation. James showed us how and when to innovate effectively and what innovating with in our firm can do to help Harris Black achieve our goals. After Morning Tea, a good friend of Harris Black, Mandy Holloway, dialled in and presented ‘The Trusted Advisor’. Mandy focused on the aspect of trust and exhibited how developing this aspect of ourselves can significantly help our relationships both inside and outside the office. This was followed by a beautiful barbeque lunch provided by the Pav Bar adjacent to the Stamford Plaza.

The day was then handed off to our managers who led the rest of the team to the Botanic Gardens for ‘The Amazing Race’ style team building activities. Teams competed against each other to gain points by completing set challenges around the gardens. After a sprint finish and a lot of fun, the day wound down with drinks and a magic show back at the Stamford Plaza, followed by a well-deserved EOFY dinner at Kabuki Teppanyaki Restaurant.

After a very busy and uncertain year it was great to get the Harris Black Team together for an entertaining and productive day enjoyed by all!

Olivia emigrated to Australia from England in 2008 with her immediate family and after a road trip up the eastern coast, they decided to call Brisbane home. Being a teenager Olivia was determined not to be thrilled with the move to another country however it only took a few years for her to settle down and admit Australia had won her heart.  

With a Bachelor of Commerce, 7 years’ experience and her Chartered Accountancy qualifications, Olivia joined Harris Black in October 2020 as a Supervisor.  Olivia shone from day one and proudly we announce her recent promotion to the position of Manager.  Olivia loves being a part of the Harris Black team.  She energetically embraces her position in the firm, assisting both her peers and clients, particularly in what is currently a very challenging environment. 

Olivia has recently married and loves to spend time with her husband and double trouble American Staffordshire Terriers at home. Travel to visit Grandparents and extended family back in England is on the cards once we’re again able to travel internationally.  She is an avid baker and loves to keep friends and work colleagues in good supply of sugar cookies!

Olivia is passionate about assisting clients in a timely manner with advice or annual compliance work. She loves to deliver positive outcomes to her clients and works hard to help them achieve their goals. 

Brendan has been a Director of Harris Black since 1999 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and Chartered Tax Advisor of The Taxation Institute.

Some interesting facts about Brendan – born in Biloela, QLD, Brendan’s first ever job was delivering furniture, but he decided to become an accountant as his father had an accounting practice and he enjoyed working there. The most relaxing place Brendan has visited is Santorini, on a balcony overlooking the Aegean Sea having sunset drinks, and if he could only eat one meal for the rest of his life, Brendan would choose crab chilli linguine with a glass of Riesling. If Brendan could live anywhere, he would live on acreage in Ashgrove.

An excerpt of the interview with Brendan is below: