Firm nurtures next generation as it welcomes magnificent seven

Accountants and business advisers Bates Weston has welcomed seven new starters as part of its ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of financial professionals.

Quiana Cole and Reinis Dobelnieks are both third year students at the University of Derby, studying BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance, and join the firm for placement years as trainee accountants.

Also joining the team is Tianna Rai, a First-Class Honours Accounting & Finance Graduate from Nottingham Trent University, Ben Halliday, a graduate from the University of Leeds with a 2:1 in Economics, Matthew Bates a First-Class Maths graduate from University of Leeds and Jessica Eldridge, a First-Class graduate in Accounting and Finance from Nottingham Trent University.

All four join the firm as graduate trainee accountants, and each will be working towards their ACA qualification.

Finally, the firm have appointed Rebecca Thompson as marketing manager.

Rebecca is a technical communication and marketing specialist with a background in professional services and higher education and will be working alongside the firm’s multi-disciplinary team to strengthen their presence in the market.

Wayne Thomas, managing partner at Bates Weston, said: “We’re proud to welcome this talented group of future accountants and professionals to Bates Weston.

“Supporting early-career professionals has always been a key part of our growth strategy, and we are committed to providing them with the tools, training, and mentorship they need to succeed.

“Our training contract programme is designed to offer hands-on experience, structured training, and direct access to experienced mentors and clients.

“We’re committed to supporting each trainee as they develop their skills and grow within the firm.

“Many of our current partners and senior team leaders started their journey here as trainees, so we really look forward to seeing what each of our new starters achieve and have no doubt that they will each thrive and be a real asset to the Bates Weston team.”