“As a Partner sponsor for Citizenship and Social Mobility at BDO, I am deeply committed to making the accountancy profession more accessible to a diverse talent pool. Access Accountancy’s vision, of opening doors to people who may not have had access or opportunity into the profession otherwise, aligns with my own beliefs of creating equitable opportunity. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to reach their potential, regardless of their starting point, and this ethos has guided me throughout my career.
I was the first person in my family to attend university, and I faced barriers entering the accountancy profession without access to established role models, networks, or practical experience. After university, I worked in administrative roles for a year before a small firm offered me an ACA training contract. That was nearly 30 years ago, but the experience remains vivid. It fuels my passion for supporting others in similar positions, ensuring they have the access to opportunities to enable them to succeed.
I believe accountancy is a forward-thinking sector when it comes to social mobility. Access Accountancy has been operating for over ten years, demonstrating the profession’s commitment to addressing socio-economic barriers. Organisations are coming together to tackle societal issues that are bigger than each individual organisation, and I’m proud to contribute to this collective effort.
Through my involvement with Access Accountancy, I hope to drive continued change within the profession. My passion lies with supporting young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds not only access the profession but also thrive in their careers, achieving their potential.
For employers looking to improve their social mobility footprint, my advice would be:
- Address the issue strategically within your organisation, embedding it into the culture over time.
- Evolve recruitment mindsets to focus on the potential people have, accessing talent from diverse sources.
- Engage in outreach activities in schools where knowledge of the professional services sector is limited.
When we work together, we can create a more inclusive and dynamic profession for future generations.”