ICAEW role for Deloitte Assistant Director

AN Assistant Director at the Birmingham office of Deloitte has been elected to represent Birmingham and the West Midlands on the ICAEW Council (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).

Richard Hopkins-Burton will serve a four year term and his role is to represent Chartered Accountants in the region by ensuring a dialogue is maintained with the institute so members’ needs are met.

The ICAEW Council is the institute’s ultimate governing body, based at Chartered Accountants’ Hall in Moorgate, London; it is responsible for oversight of its activities, strategy and budget.

Sheilagh Moffat has taken up the other regional seat for Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Hopkins-Burton said: “I aim to use my position to help the ICAEW to continue to evolve according to the needs of all Chartered Accountants, especially those in the early stages of their career that stand to benefit most from a strong and supportive institute.”

In his day job, Hopkins-Burton specialises in Corporate Finance Transactions Services.
 

No shock as Jasbir named Leeds’ Most Promising Newcomer

THE Leeds Building Society has named Birmingham’s Jasbir Shocker as its Most Promising Newcomer in its Excellence in Action annual awards.

The prize is awarded to new workers that embrace the culture of the society, its high standards of customer service and who makes an immediate impact in demonstrating their potential.

Jasbir (pictured) was nominated for the award by Steven O’Brien, the mutual’s branch manager in Corporation Street, who said: “Jasbir has quickly absorbed herself within the society’s culture and values. From day one she has been keen to improve the branch in any way that she can.   

“She has impressed everyone with her pro-active attitude, and I have high hopes for the next 12 months with Jasbir key to our success.”

Latest Wesleyan apprentices graduate

NINE apprentices have earned themselves permanent jobs at Wesleyan’s Birmingham head office after becoming the latest group to successfully ‘graduate’ from the mutual’s 18-month training programme.
 
The apprentices are the fourth group to complete the scheme the specialist financial services provider runs with Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet). The course was designed to provide an alternative career route into the financial services sector.
 
Andrew Cleaves, Principal at BMet, said: “The way Wesleyan invests in the future of its workforce with the apprenticeship scheme and ongoing training is a great example to other employers.
 
“The number of its former apprentices that have moved to permanent, full time roles within the company is incredibly high, and it is great to see so many of them develop and build real careers within the financial services sector and I am proud Birmingham Metropolitan College has played a part in that.”
 
Craig Errington, Wesleyan chief executive, said: “I am extremely proud of the success of our apprenticeship scheme, which was one of the first to be launched in the financial services sector. We have now had more than 50 apprentices who have started their career on the scheme.
 
“They have proven themselves to be talented and committed individuals who have brought energy and enthusiasm to their teams. They are a fabulous example of what young people can achieve given the right opportunities.”
 
Nearly 50 apprentices have enrolled in the scheme since 2010. After attaining NVQs in business and administration, financial services or customer service from BMet, the vast majority continue to work at Wesleyan.

Pictured with Craig Errington (centre right) and Andrew Cleaves, Principal at Birmingham Metropolitan College (centre left) are, from left: Ashley Colley, James Hughes, Ethan Bicknell, Sam Wilson, Jack Sharry, Leanne Galbally, Jessica Winter, Rosie Borland and Ebube Abara.