After more than three decades of building a respected name in the accounting and payroll sector, Preferred Solutions Eastern Cape is entering a new chapter.
(Pic: Shane and Helen with Bruce and Catherine Cadle)
The Gqeberha-based firm recently celebrated 36 years in business with the opening of its new headquarters in Walmer. But the evening marked more than a new office space. It also signalled a meaningful moment for the company and its people: the formal passing of leadership from founder Helen Mclean to Managing Director Shane Mclean.
For many attending the relaunch event at 93 Main Road, Walmer, the moment represented both continuity and change, a celebration of the company’s history and a look ahead to its future.
“With support from partners including THE GOAT GROUP, Studio B. Productions, Chateau Del Rei, Fitch & Leedes, The Taste Bud Co., and Future Force Solutions Security, the relaunch came together as a seamless, collaborative success,” said Shane Mclean.
A Legacy Built Over Decades
The story of Preferred Solutions Eastern Cape began in 1990, when HH Accounting Services started as a local accounting practice serving businesses in the Eastern Cape.
Over time, the company grew steadily, eventually becoming a Platinum Status Sage Business Partner supporting thousands of businesses with accounting, payroll and financial systems.
A major turning point came in 2021, when HH Accounting Services merged with Preferred Solutions, transforming the business into a solutions-focused organisation with a broader national footprint.
Today the firm supports more than 8,000 businesses across South Africa, helping companies streamline financial systems through platforms such as Sage Pastel, Sage Evolution and PaySpace.
A Leadership Moment
At the centre of the Walmer relaunch was a personal milestone for founder Helen Mclean, who formally stepped back from leadership after decades of guiding the company.
“I officially pass on the leadership of Preferred Solutions to Shane,” she said during the event.
“He has proven himself a visionary leader with strength, heart, and courage. He has already been carrying this mantle for the past year. The move to our new home in Walmer is a direct result of his hard work and vision.”
For Mclean, the moment was not simply about succession, but about recognising the people who helped build the company along the way.
“To our clients: your loyalty pushed us to grow, modernise, and constantly improve. We thank you for trusting us with your businesses over all these years,” she said.
She also reflected on the employees who shaped the firm’s culture over time.
“To every staff member, past and present: you shaped this business in ways you may never fully realise. Some were what I like to call scaffolding — support for a season. Others became bricks, forming the permanent foundation of who we are today.”
A New Chapter in Walmer
The move to the firm’s new Walmer headquarters represents the next stage of growth for Preferred Solutions Eastern Cape.
For Managing Director Shane Mclean, the new space reflects the company’s evolving role as more than just an accounting provider.
“A system is as effective as the strategy behind it,” he said.
“We build solutions that adapt to how a business actually works. Our approach is personal, and our new Walmer headquarters allows us to continue working closely with the people behind the businesses we support.”
The new office also creates a central hub for partners, clients and collaborators as the company continues to expand its presence in the business solutions space.
A Future Built on Relationships
While the relaunch event brought together more than 150 partners and supporters, the evening ultimately centred on relationships — the clients, staff and collaborators who helped shape the company over 36 years.
Reflecting on that journey, Helen Mclean spoke about the deeper values guiding the business.
“I have come to see how God placed key people in my path at the perfect moment,” she said.
“I am grateful to call God the CEO of this company. He has walked with me through every victory and every valley, leading me step by step.”
As Preferred Solutions Eastern Cape begins this new era under Shane Mclean’s leadership, the company’s next chapter builds on the same foundations that shaped its first: people, partnerships and long-term
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