Graduate improvement specialist expands into Wilmslow

A pioneering company which takes graduate talent and creates agile change management teams for a blue-chip client list has moved into Orbit Developments’ Grove Chambers in Wilmslow.

Grayce, set up six years ago, has attracted equity funding from Literacy Capital to develop the innovative concept, which provides a viable alternative to transformation territory traditionally occupied by the Big Four accountancy practices.

So successful has the formula been that Grayce is now working with 150 graduate ‘analysts’ with plans to be handling the early careers of more than 260 by March next year, supported by a management team of 30 based in the last remaining suite of Grove Chambers.

Adam Jackson, senior leasing surveyor from Orbit Developments, who liaised on the details of the move, said: “It’s great to have a company of Grayce’s quality and vision now in Wilmslow and we wish them every success.”

The Grayce concept of finding graduates and taking responsibility for their management and career development during a period of ‘placement’ has attracted interest from household name brands like WorldPay, Pets at Home, AO, boohoo and Co-op Bank.

Talented young analysts from Grayce are now sitting in system implementation and process improvement projects like GDPR and Brexit for these top brands, spending 6-12 months on one programme before moving to another for up to three years, gaining further qualifications on the way.

Clients benefit from the quality of Grayce’s graduate pool, plus the experienced nurturing and training of talented project teams.

Graduates get projects to challenge the big four organisations, a unique variety of project experience and, ultimately, job opportunities, either with the firms or in consultancy.

Chief operations officer, Tony Sellers, said that the move into Wilmslow would mark a new period of expansion for the firm: “We realised we had outgrown our Macclesfield premises and needed somewhere new to host our young management team and future analysts.

“We are also enjoying the great amenities of Wilmslow, which are right on our doorstep, and the town’s easy access to the local road and rail network. The proximity of the station was particularly important as our analysts are often travelling to and from London for training.”

With more than 5,000 applications for some in excess of 100 roles the concept is growing in popularity.

Rea Kapetanou, a graduate of Chemistry and Food Science from the University of Southampton and Reading, has just been recruited. She said: “It’s great. I will be working for a blue-chip company whilst being trained and supported by Grayce, which enables you to deliver results from the start.

“It’s flexible as well, so after a year I could try a different role elsewhere, or ultimately transition to work for the client.”

Keethan Sivananthan, who studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Surrey and then completed a Masters in Space Science and Engineering at UCL, added: “It’s about greater access to more high-flying companies and the chance to keep learning.”