If you’ve ever walked into Porter Garland and been greeted with a warm smile, chances are it was from Honor Connor. She’s been with us for more than 30 years — yes, three decades! — and has pretty much seen it all. So we sat down with Honor for a proper catch-up about her time here, the changes she’s witnessed, and why she still enjoys coming to work every day.
The Moments That Really Stood Out
When you’ve worked somewhere this long, there are bound to be a few memorable chapters. For Honor, three things immediately sprang to mind.
First were the big leadership changes — the retirements of Peter Peel and Richard Garland, followed by Thomas and Amanda stepping up as directors. “It’s been brilliant seeing them take the reins,” Honor says. “They’re so approachable and always open to ideas. You can always pop in for a chat, and that’s shaped the whole feel of the place.”
Then there was the move from Bagshot to Camberley back in 2012 — a big shift that felt like a fresh start for the firm.
And of course, the biggest transformation of all: going digital. “When I joined, everything was done by hand. We even tied accounts with ribbon before sending them out!” she laughs. “Now everything is online. It’s definitely made things smoother, though I do miss chatting to clients in person as much as I used to.”
Why People Stick Around
Honor has worked alongside lots of colleagues over the years — many who stayed a short time, others who stuck around for decades. When asked why Porter Garland retains people so well, she didn’t hesitate.
“It’s the flexibility,” she says. “When I started, I had two young kids. Now I’ve got two young grandchildren! The firm has supported me through every stage, and that means a lot.”
It’s the same approach we take with clients too. “We’ve always been very personal in how we work,” she explains. “We get to know people properly, so the advice actually fits their situation. It’s not a one-size-fits-all place here.”
Front Desk Stories: Life on Reception
Honor has been the first face many people see when they come through our doors. “I’ve met so many different types of people over the years,” she says. “Technology has changed the way we work — there’s less dropping by in person — but I’ve always enjoyed being that first point of contact.”
Even as things become more digital, Honor’s friendly welcome remains a big part of what makes our office feel warm and human.
Watching People Grow
One of Honor’s highlights has been seeing team members progress. Thomas’s journey especially stands out.
“He started on work experience,” she recalls. “Then he came back after university, trained as an accountant, and now he’s a director and owner. It’s been amazing to watch that unfold.”
Moments like that are why training and development remain such a big focus for us.
What Porter Garland Means to Honor
After so many years, you’d expect Honor to know the firm inside out — and she does. But what’s kept her here all this time?
“It’s just a fun place to work,” she says simply. “People work hard, but there’s always time for a laugh. I’ve made lifelong friends here.”
And honestly, that sums up the heart of our culture better than anything else.
Three Words to Sum Up 30 Years
We asked Honor for three words that capture what Porter Garland means to her. She gave us:
Evolving. Adaptable. Laughs.
And if you know Honor — or our team — you’ll know how spot-on that is.