When I left sixth form in 2023 and joined the firm, I wanted to build a career that challenged me. Winning the Jean Jesty Prize reassures me that choosing the apprenticeship route was absolutely the right decision. I’ve always learned best by applying things in practice and being able to translate my studies directly into my day‑to‑day work helped me build deeper understanding far more quickly than I expected.
Active curiosity has shaped my whole experience so far. When something is new or complex, I get involved, do my own research and then test my thinking with colleagues. That mindset helped me spot a risk in a restructuring project early in my career — a significant moment because change‑in‑ownership rules are highly technical, and identifying the issue early prevented a potential loss of a valuable tax asset for the client. The biggest barrier has often been my own doubt but working through Pillar Two and Corporate Interest Restriction, two of the most complex and fast‑moving areas of corporate tax, taught me that once you start, the complexity becomes manageable.
I learned early on that challenging upwards is about adding value. The first time I disagreed with a senior colleague was daunting, but with support from my people manager, I found the confidence to voice my view respectfully and that’s shaped how I approach teamwork today.
Being present in the office has accelerated my learning more than anything else. Observing how colleagues think, ask questions and solve problems has helped me build relationships and confidence. My secondment to DP World also shifted how I see client work, showing me what clients value most and how technology can transform our impact.
Balancing study and work hasn’t always been easy, but being realistic, practical and looking after my wellbeing has helped me stay consistent. My advice to new trainees is simple: step forward, ask “why”, and be open about where you want to grow.
Looking ahead, I’m excited for the first Pillar Two compliance cycle. I’ve spent a lot of time preparing with the team, and it’ll be rewarding to see that work come to life. I’m also looking forward to taking the next step in my career — taking on more responsibility, building deeper client relationships and supporting newer associates as they start their journeys.
I was surprised when I learned I’d achieved first place globally in the Operational Case Study. I never imagined that this was something I could achieve, and I always was only aiming just to do my best, so this result felt surreal. It reminded me that steady effort and consistency really do make a difference. My support network played a huge part too: family, friends and colleagues who understood what it meant to balance study with demanding client work.
My approach to new or complex tasks is to explore them independently first, even if I feel unsure. Doing that helps me understand what I’m tackling and ask more focused questions. It’s strengthened my ownership, resilience and ability to deliver confidently. One defining moment was stepping up to own a client report in my first year, which led to me presenting to the Audit Committee. It was daunting, but it stretched my capability and boosted my confidence in presenting to senior stakeholders.
Preparation is the foundation of my confidence. Thinking through scenarios, anticipating questions and practising how I want to communicate has helped me contribute meaningfully in panels and client presentations. Working across Local Government, NHS and Fire Services has also taught me to be flexible. Every client is different and so is every challenge.
Staying focused on my long‑term direction means breaking big goals into manageable steps and concentrating on what I can control. Beyond client work, I’ve valued being involved in initiatives such as supporting pre‑joiners and taking part in female‑empowerment events where I can share my own experiences and help others navigate those early stages, just as colleagues did for me when I joined. I want to help create the kind of environment where people feel supported, encouraged and able to grow.
Balancing CIMA with work has required honesty about my limits. Being realistic about when to push and when to pause has helped me make sustainable progress. Of all our values, being actively curious resonates most. It shaped how I learned public sector audit and c
ontinues to push me to explore new areas and opportunities.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to deepen my technical expertise, take on more responsibility and gain more exposure to complex, high‑risk areas. I know these next stages will continue to challenge and support me in all the right ways.
Joe consistently demonstrates the firm’s values, especially active curiosity. He goes beyond summaries to understand the underlying legislation, building strong technical insight that strengthens every project he works on. He has embraced complex areas like Pillar Two and Corporate Interest Restriction earlier than most, and his willingness to challenge upwards has improved the quality of the team’s work.
Regularly spending time with colleagues in-person during these early stages of his career has accelerated Joe’s development, helping him build relationships and deepen his technical confidence. On the client side, Joe has already made a strong impression through clear communication and thoughtful contributions, including during his secondment to DP World. He continues to deliver outstanding work.
Ashley stands out for her ownership and consistently high‑quality delivery. She quickly built sector-wide capability by taking on complex pieces of work with minimal oversight and showing strong judgment and reliability. Her willingness to step up, including identifying significant issues, drafting key recommendations and presenting to Audit Committees, reflects maturity beyond her experience.
She brings a calm, thoughtful presence to the team and is someone colleagues naturally trust. Her clarity of direction, strong work ethic and genuine commitment to her development make her a standout early‑career professional, and she continues to make a meaningful impact on both her clients and her team.
Joe and Ashley both joined the firm through our early‑career pathways, which are designed to give trainees real client exposure, structured development and opportunities to stretch themselves from day one.
Our Early Career programmes for school leavers:
· Our Ignite work experience programme takes place in August and gives A-Level (or adjacent) students hands‑on insight into life at Grant Thornton. Applications for this year open in April, and we’re excited to welcome the next cohort of students into the firm.
· For those joining us directly as apprentices, our programmes provide a structured pathway that combines study with real client exposure from day one.