Member Spotlight: Howard Silverstone, MBE, CPA, CFF, FCA, CFE, Executive Vice President, J.S. Held LLC 

In our first member spotlight, we turn our attention to Howard Silverstone of J.S. Held, a distinguished figure within the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia (BABCPHL). With over 40 years of experience in public and forensic accounting, Howard has made remarkable contributions to both his profession and the BABCPHL community, a community of which he has served for about 30 years.

Howard’s journey with the BABCPHL began almost at its inception. “I joined BABCPHL when it had just been started! Having not been in Philadelphia very long, I wanted to connect with others who had made the move from the U.K.,” he recalls. The desire for connection led him to an organization that would play a crucial role in both his professional and social life. As a member, Howard has found immense value in the networking opportunities the BABCPHL provides. “It has broadened my network immensely and allowed me to help connect others to people they may wish to meet,” he explains. Over the years, as the BABCPHL developed its extensive business-to-business network, Howard discovered that it became a vital resource, facilitating connections that benefited him and others on both sides of the Atlantic.

Among the many memorable moments during his time with the BABCPHL, one stands out vividly. Howard recalls the visit from (then) Prince Charles to the National Constitution Center. “I was wearing the Prince of Wales tie, which had recently been given to me by a trade group from Wales,” he remembers. Despite the prince having limited time to engage with attendees, he surprised everyone by stopping to acknowledge Howard. “As he was leaving, he looked at my name badge and said, ‘Mr. Silverstone, what a splendid tie!’” This brief exchange exemplifies the unexpected connections that networking at the BABCPHL creates. From Howard’s perspective, the most rewarding aspect of being part of the BABCPHL is learning about the diverse businesses and industries that have established roots in Philadelphia, “I find it fascinating to see how the types of businesses have changed over time,” he says.

With decades of experience, Howard has valuable advice for those looking to get involved with the organization:

      “Get involved! Being a member is SO much more than just paying your dues.”