From School Leaver to Leader

When I finished my A-levels, university did not feel like the right next step. I was not particularly interested in taking on debt, and I already valued my independence. Like many school leavers at the time, I was often made to feel that university was the only real route to success.

But I knew that was not true.

I had always enjoyed maths and was good with numbers at school, but it was not until I completed a few weeks of work experience that things really clicked. Seeing how numbers translated into real businesses, real people and real decisions completely changed my perspective. Accounting suddenly became more than figures on a page.

Work experience is a fantastic way to try things out and see what really interests you.

Learning while doing

I joined the firm as a school leaver and began studying AAT and later ACCA alongside my role. From early on, I was exposed to real client work, visiting different businesses, speaking directly to clients and learning how each organisation worked.

At first, this was well outside my comfort zone. I had to ask a lot of questions, put myself forward and learn quickly. Curiosity and taking opportunities became habits, and that mindset shaped my career.

I made a conscious effort to build relationships, earn trust and establish credibility with both colleagues and clients. Sometimes that meant going above and beyond. Other times it meant being honest when things were challenging. Authenticity mattered.

Growing with responsibility

As I progressed, I became increasingly involved in supporting junior team members. I helped plan development paths, fed into training, and made sure new starters had the support I had benefited from myself. It felt like a responsibility rather than just part of the role.

A major turning point came when I returned from maternity leave. During my maternity leave, I was promoted to Audit Manager. At the time, my daughter Poppy, was 6 months old and she is now 11, looking back, that moment was pivotal.

The promotion reinvigorated me and gave me a renewed sense of focus. It showed me that progression was possible alongside life outside of work, and that I did not have to choose between ambition and being present for my family.

Opportunity, flexibility and inclusion

I work in audit, and one of the things I value most is the variety. We work across multiple sectors, with different clients and challenges, and there is genuine flexibility to explore what interests you. We understand that people at the start of their careers need freedom to discover what they enjoy and where they thrive.

We have seen people move between teams, try new disciplines and experiment with different paths, including colleagues moving from tax into audit or audit into accounts and business advisory services. That freedom to explore is encouraged, not questioned.

I have also never felt held back as a woman in what can be a male-dominated space. 

A lot of my support has come from strong male allies who pushed me forward, challenged me and trusted me. 

Throughout my career, progression has been based on hard work, accountability, and mindset. Seeing strong female leadership already in place made a real difference.

Leading and shaping the future

Now, in my role as Office Managing Partner, I have the opportunity to help shape the future of the team. That means thinking strategically about growth, development and creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of apprentices.

Building teams, investing in people and setting them up for long-term success is something I take seriously. I want others to feel the same support and confidence that I experienced throughout my career.

 

My advice to future apprentices

Be proactive. Seek out opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable. There will be difficult conversations, and that is where learning happens. Take notes, listen carefully and reflect on what you are being told.

The people who succeed most are positive, enthusiastic, curious and open-minded. They are willing to build relationships and take responsibility for their own development.

An apprenticeship is not the 'easy route'. It is a different route that demands commitment, resilience and curiosity. You are learning while delivering real work, building confidence and taking responsibility from day one.

For me, it opened doors I might never have accessed through a traditional path. It allowed me to grow at my own pace, build real credibility and shape a career that fits who I am. With the right mindset, an apprenticeship can take you just as far, if not further, than any conventional route.