After decades of service, two of McIntyre Dick’s most respected Principals - Chris Shaw and Stewart Perkins - have officially stepped into retirement.

Between them, they’ve contributed more than 80 years to the profession, shaping businesses, supporting generations of families, and mentoring the next wave of accountants with wisdom, warmth, and humility.

This isn’t just a farewell. It’s a celebration of the legacy they leave behind - a legacy built not just on numbers, but on relationships, trust, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed.

In this post, we reflect on their journeys, the impact they’ve had, and the advice they’re passing on to the next generation of leaders.

From Milton to McIntyre

Chris’ journey into accounting began early, helping with the books for his father’s electrical business while still in high school.

I didn’t even really know what it was,” he recalls, “I just enjoyed doing it.”

Originally torn between accounting and chefing, he eventually chose numbers over knives and completed a commerce degree straight out of school. After a stint working in Dunedin, he moved to Southland in the early 1980s - a move that would define his professional life for the next four decades.

Similarly, Stu began his career straight out of school, joining the firm in 1979. “I think I might have been the first trainee they took on,” he laughs.

Studying part-time while working full-time, he qualified in the early 1980s and never looked back. A two-year secondment to Edinburgh gave him a taste of international work, but it was the return home - to the clients and culture he knew so well - that cemented his place at the firm.

Photo from left: Bronwyn Perkins, Diane Fletcher, Graham Fletcher and Chris Shaw

Growing with the Profession

A lot has changed since those early days. “When I started, clients would walk in with a box of records,” says Stu, “now it’s accessing the clients’ computer systems or downloading their data.”

Chris remembers when the firm had a single computer the size of a small bedroom - and when partners were still addressed as “Mr.” and took their morning and afternoon teas separately from the staff.

But it’s not just the tools that have changed - the role itself has evolved, too.

Back then, it was all about number crunching, now, it’s about relationships. It’s about trust.” Chris says.

Both he and Stu have seen their roles shift from technical to deeply personal - trusted advisors who walk alongside their clients through every season of life: business milestones, succession planning, family disputes, financial hardship, even marriage breakdowns.

You’re often the first person they call, because you’re not just dealing with the numbers - you’re dealing with lives.”  says Stu.

Photo: Stewart Perkins

The Power of Relationships

That relational approach is something both men say they’re proud of. “Some clients, I’ve worked with three generations of the same family,” Stu says. “It’s a real privilege.”

Chris agrees. “We see everything. The good, the bad, and the messy. But people keep coming back because they know we’re honest. We care.”

Building those long-standing relationships doesn’t come from transactions - it comes from genuine interest, empathy, and consistency. Sometimes that’s about showing up with technical expertise. Sometimes, it’s about picking up the phone, calling in for a cuppa, or being brave enough to have the hard conversations.

“You’ve got to be honest,” Chris says. “Even when it’s tough. And you’ve got to accept that sometimes, clients won’t take your advice, and that’s okay too.”

Advice for the Next Generation

Both Chris and Stu are passionate about the future of the profession - and what they hope younger accountants will take forward.

“Grasp the opportunities in front of you,” says Chris. “Don’t just focus on the process. Focus on understanding the ‘why’. Why does this number matter? What does this report mean? That’s where the real value lies.”

Get your qualification,” Stu adds, “and get a few solid years of practical experience under your belt. That base opens doors - whether it’s becoming a partner, a CFO, or taking your skills abroad. And wherever you go, your ability to relate to people will be your biggest asset.”

They both emphasise the importance of support networks. “I think it would be so difficult being a sole practitioner,” Stu says. “Having people to bounce ideas off, to share the load - that’s what gets you through the tough stuff.”

Letting Go with Grace

Both men retired at 65, in line with the firm’s partnership agreement - something they wholeheartedly support.

“If we want to keep the business refreshed, we’ve got to make space for others,” says Chris. “The last thing I wanted was to stay too long and block someone else’s opportunity.”

It’s a sentiment Stu echoes. “There’s so much life to enjoy beyond work—I’m excited for what’s next.

For Chris, that includes travel, cycling, and more time with his ten grandchildren. For Stu, it’s golf, biking, and embracing the Arrowtown lifestyle. But while they may be moving on, their influence remains - etched into the culture, values, and relationships that define the firm.

Photo from left: McIntyre Dick Principals Craig McCallum, Craig Sutherland, Stewart Perkins (retiring), Brad Phillips, Chris Shaw (retiring), Sarah Hopkins and Ashley Burdon

A Lasting Legacy

At its core, this isn’t just a farewell to two great accountants - it’s a celebration of what great accountancy really is. It’s more than balance sheets and tax returns. It’s about people. It’s about trust. It’s about helping others succeed.

And thanks to Chris Shaw and Stewart Perkins, that philosophy is firmly in place for the next generation of leaders at McIntyre Dick - who will continue to tell that story, one client relationship at a time.