Arnold, Mike

Mike Arnold

Dates at Bournemouth School: 1963 - 1970
House: Portchester

Mike at school Mike today

Mike studied: French, German and Latin
Mike received the following accolades whilst at school:
  • School prizes 1966/67 and 1967/68
  • Winner of Year 7 Cross-Country 1964
  • Member of School Junior Cross-Country Team 1964

After school, Mike went to: Joined HM Customs & Excise in the Port of London

Mike's biography:

Left Bournemouth in 1970 to join HM C&E until 1984 with spells working in London (VAT from 1973), Fife (as an excise officer in a whisky warehouse), Edinburgh VAT Tribunal Centre, and the City of London VAT Office. Joined Price Waterhouse in 1984 as a VAT Consultant, admitted to the partnership in 1990. Admitted as a Fellow to the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Took early retirement in 2005 from what was then PricewaterhouseCoopers (now PwC) and set up my own consulting practice helping local accounting firms with my specialism until 2014.

I became a director of a USA not-for-profit members’ association in 2017 and served on the Board until 2025, the last five years as the Lead Director.

I met my wife in London in 1972, married in 1974 and have three children and three grandchildren as well as three step grandchildren.

I still support AFC Bournemouth (since 1961!).

What was best about Mike's time at Bournemouth School?

The friendships forged that continue to this day. The impact certain teachers had on my development. Time taken by Paddy Roberts to coach me in athletics 1964-65.

Who does Mike remember most fondly?

Many fellow pupils in my year: Tom Warren, David Way, Alan Beresford, Frank Wiseman, John Griffiths. On the teaching staff: Nick McCabe, Chris Mason, Ken Rogers. And Mr Williams, who was in charge of the CCF, who had a habit of grunting between phrases: his saying to us “You only get out (grunt) what you put in (grunt). So true.

What would Mike change about their time at Bournemouth School?

Careers advice for those like me not going to university which was limited to the Armed Forces, Civil Service and the Church.

What is Mike's favourite anecdote/most vivid memory?

At the end of term Summer 1968 I think it was, the mini car belonging to a younger but well liked Maths teacher was lifted by pupils and moved to the narrow alleyway on the playground side of rooms 40/41. And there was one year a toilet seat appeared on the clock tower.

Mike's final thoughts

Be kind. Follow your heart sometimes.