We are saddened to report the passing of Gordon Hufford, a former Managing Partner of Hillier Hopkins.
Gordon joined Hillier Hopkins in 1961 as Managing Clerk and became a Partner the following year.
Colin Howe, himself a former Partner, was recruited by Gordon and worked with him for many years from 1981 until Gordon’s retirement in 1992.
“I was interviewed by Gordon about a year after I qualified. I say interviewed as there wasn’t really anything technical or accountancy related discussed. We chatted, mostly about sport and in particular golf and cricket after which a job offer was made.
Gordon was one of life’s gentlemen and a trusted advisor to all his clients. In all the years working with him I think I only ever heard him raise his voice in anger once (and that under some provocation).
Beyond that mild annoyance or irritation was the most extreme exhibition of negative emotion, usually reserved for ‘jobs worth’ stupidity……. a bar tender at a ‘posh’ hotel telling him to please sit down and not stand at the bar to drink his pint of beer, received the Hufford look which communicated everything which needed to be said. A sharp wit and sense of humour served him well in a long professional life when allied with superb technical skills and a good dollop of common sense.
Gordon was a member of Ashridge Golf Club (past Captain and President) and St Peters Church Berkhamsted and outside of work and family these were his two great passions.
Gordon and his late wife Dorothy both played golf and bridge but rarely, if ever, as partners and this he assured me once was the key to a long and happy marriage.
He led Hillier Hopkins through a time of great change and growth and was a business strategist long before that term became fashionable. He was a great influencer and mentor to everyone at Hillier Hopkins, those still working there and the numerous alumni scattered round commerce and industry and will be sorely missed.”
May he rest in peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his children Penny and Jonathan, the rest of his family and all who knew him well.