SearchHURST welcomes new trainees!
HURST has welcomed its latest group of trainees, comprising five university graduates and a teenager who has joined from sixth-form college.
The firm has recruited graduates Alyssa Broughton, Benjamin Harrison-Mirfield, Liam Lloyd and Simone Soni to its business services team to train towards becoming chartered accountants. Lewie Ridgway has joined the tax department. He will be studying for the Association of Taxation Technicians’ qualification.
Emily Combs has joined the firm’s outsourcing team HOST after completing her A-levels at Ashton Sixth Form College in Tameside, Greater Manchester.
Meanwhile university students Lewis Clough, Anya Lloyd and Maysa Machachane in the business services department and Tobias Graham in HOST have begun one-year placements at the practice.
HURST received more than 300 applications for this intake of graduates and placement students.
Simone and Lewie graduated in accounting and finance at Manchester Metropolitan University. Alyssa has a degree in maths with financial mathematics from the University of Manchester.
Benjamin graduated at the University of Newcastle in economics and finance, and Liam has a degree in accountancy and financial management from the University of Sheffield.
Tobias and Anya are studying at the University of Liverpool, Lewis is an undergraduate at the University of Sheffield and Maysa is undertaking a degree course at the University of Salford.
Senior manager Jon Ward, who heads the graduate and placement recruitment programme at HURST, said: “We are delighted to welcome our latest graduate trainees, and students on our placement programme.
“Following intakes in January and April, this brings our 2025 cohort to 20 trainees and placements, which is an increase on last year. This growth reflects our commitment to building the firm’s future and ensuring we have the talent to deliver our strategic plans.
“We recognise that today’s trainees are tomorrow’s managers and partners. By offering opportunities to school leavers and graduates, we ensure we attract the very best talent at all entry points.”
Jon added: “The large number of applications demonstrates the high level of interest in joining our firm. Applicants told us that our supportive culture and the opportunity for a clear career progression path were key reasons they wished to join us.
“It illustrates the strength of our reputation as an employer of choice, and reinforces the quality of opportunities we provide for the next generation of accounting professionals.
“Our placement students, who work in the audit team, receive the same first-year experience as our graduates. This gives them an excellent foundation in the role of an auditor, and we are proud that many return to us after completing their university studies.”
HURST specialises in advising three core client segments – owner-managed businesses, private equity-backed enterprises and UK subsidiaries of overseas parent companies.
Clients include S.J.M Concerts, Kinaxia Logistics, M&I Materials, Beechfield Brands, Duerr’s, Oliver Valves, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Krones UK, Creamline Dairies, Scapa Group and Hyde Group. Significant recent client wins include Metalor Technologies, beauty brand REFY, the Rugby Football League and Green Part Specialists.
Earlier this year, HURST unveiled plans to double in size amid rapid expansion across the practice. It aims to become a £20m-turnover practice in 2028, fuelled by a growing national client base, extensive recruitment and new service lines to support its ambitions, alongside a multimillion-pound investment in technology.
In spring 2024, HURST moved its headquarters to 3 Stockport Exchange to accommodate its growing team. It occupies 11,000 sq ft at the flagship building, with scope to expand to 170 staff over the next few years.
The business services team, which carries out audit, compliance, strategic advisory, outsourcing and business planning work for a growing national client base, is the largest at HURST with over 70 staff.
HURST has earned recognition from Great Place to Work as one of the UK’s best workplaces in consulting and professional services, reaffirming the firm’s commitment to fostering a positive culture.