Accounting and business advisory firm HURST has welcomed six graduates in its latest trainee cohort.
They have joined the firm’s business services team, which provides audit, compliance, strategic advisory, outsourcing and business planning expertise to a growing client base. It is the largest team at HURST, with more than 90 staff.
The cohort includes Emily Hartley, who has a classics degree from the University of Exeter, Joshua Moore, who graduated in business management and modern languages and culture at the University of Sheffield, and Sophie Taylor, who has a sports and exercise science degree from Loughborough University.
Three others – Lucy Deegan, Philip Rhodes and Nathan Wood – have secured permanent roles at HURST after undertaking placements during their degree courses.
Lucy and Philip have degrees in economics from the University of Leeds and Sheffield Hallam University respectively, while Nathan graduated in accounting and finance at the University of Salford.
Alongside the graduates, three University of Salford students have joined HURST on one-year placements. Cora Greaves, Charlotte Lomax and Darcey O’Dwyer are all studying accounting and finance.
Five of the group of nine have made their mark in netball. Lucy is a former Cheshire County captain, Emily represented club and school in West Yorkshire, Sophie was captain of her university team and represented Lancashire and Greater Manchester, while Darcey and Cora coached and managed their university campus league team.
Simon Brownbill, partner and director of practice development at HURST, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new trainees to HURST. Bringing fresh talent into the firm is one of the most rewarding things we do – these individuals represent the future of our profession and our practice.
“From day one, they’ve been working alongside experienced colleagues on real client challenges, with the support, training and mentoring they need to build genuinely rewarding careers.
“We can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve, and we’re proud they’ve chosen to start their journeys with us.”
HURST specialises in advising three core client segments – owner-managed businesses, private equity-backed enterprises and UK subsidiaries of overseas parent companies.
Clients include SJM Concerts, Kinaxia Logistics, M&I Materials, Beechfield Brands, Duerr’s, Oliver Valves, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Krones UK, Creamline Dairies, Scapa Industrial and Hyde Group.
Stockport-headquartered HURST became part of the Dains Group earlier this year, strengthening the resources and expertise available to its clients across the UK and internationally. Dains is a national accountancy and business advisory firm with 30 locations across the UK and Ireland.
HURST is targeting ambitious growth over the coming years, with plans to double in size to reach £20m in annual turnover in 2028. Its strategy includes expanding its national client base, recruiting additional talent and introducing new service lines, supported by a multimillion-pound investment in technology.
