THE REYNOLD’S are a Jamaican family that have been involved in the accountancy industry for over 60 years.

They have worked in both Jamaica and internationally within their chosen profession. 

Lancelot Reynolds was born in Jamaica, and began his career at the Jamaica Omnibus Services. Then, he moved to the UK to complete his accounting qualifications.

During his studies he worked with a small accountancy firm where he encountered prejudice and racism.

In an interview with ICAEW, his daughter Donna E Reynolds described her father’s experiences.

“He was the first Black man at the firm. Because he was Black, they held a vote to ask all employees whether he should be allowed to work there. All the gentlemen – including some of the partners and senior staff at the time – said no, but all the ladies voted yes, so he was allowed in.”

After he became a chartered accountant, he eventually returned to Jamaica in 1965. He joined Deloitte & Touche as an audit supervisor and rose to partner in just 5 years. 

In 1973, he became the General and Director at the Jamaica National Building Society. The society grew to become the largest building society in Jamaica. He then retired in 1999. 

Passing on the baton

Speaking to ICAEW, Lancelot’s brother, Donald Reynolds spoke about inspiring the youth.

He said: “If you show how you can succeed as a Black accountant, you can really influence the next generation.” 

He added that prospective accountants must “decide that your colour is not going to stop you from doing what you want to do. Represent yourself, your family, all the people who had to go through difficulties in the past to get you where you are.”

Lancelot’s daughter, Donna Reynolds, also followed in his footsteps. 

After studying accountancy at the University of Canterbury, Donna worked at the same firm her father and uncle worked at. 

Microaggressions

She told the ICAEW: “In the mid-90s, I was a senior audit manager on an audit with a young white trainee.

“The client constantly referred to the trainee as the lead and looked to them for answers… it’s just another example of the type of thing you have to constantly manage, and sometimes still have to put up with.”

Donna has also worked with Save the Children since 1998, travelling the world in various roles for the charity. She now specialises in training materials and systems implementation. 

She told ICAEW that people of colour must be resilient within the UK accountancy industry. 

“You have to learn how to handle rejections and the prejudices some people have – conscious or unconscious,” she explained.

“To this day, I’m often the only Black person in the room, sometimes the only woman in the room.”