Accountancy firm team completes 'brutal' Lake District challenge
Accountancy firm Armstrong Watson, which has offices in Carlisle and Penrith, finished 19th out of more than 60 teams in the UK Challenge, a three-day corporate team-building event, and its highest-ever placement as a first-time competitor.
The 2025 challenge took place in the Lake District from July 10 to 12, with teams tackling a 'gruelling' mix of running, cycling, kayaking, and mentally taxing puzzles under intense 30C heat.
The 2025 challenge took place in the Lake District earlier this month (Image: Armstrong Watson) Michael Morris, audit and assurance partner at Armstrong Watson and team captain, said: "We all had lots of fun, and despite the sheer and at times brutal stages in intense heat, we won't ever forget this experience.
"It was the most challenging event I have taken part in over many years of entering various Iron Man competitions across the world and it was made harder as we didn't quite know what to expect.
"A huge thank you and well done to the team, all of whom individually brought a unique dynamic to the overall team, strategy, planning and most importantly the skill, fitness and energy they brought to every stage.
"We were also supported logistically and encouraged throughout by Stephen McCullough, who was by our side at all times."
Armstrong Watson finished 19th out of more than 60 teams (Image: Armstrong Watson) Representing Armstrong Watson were Mr Morris, Kim Kreutle, and Michael Stewart from the Newcastle office; Jess Richardson from Penrith; and David Harper and Holli Coulthard from West Cumbria.
The team was supported throughout by Stephen McCullough, the firm's marketing and business development partner.
The UK Challenge, now in its 36th year, is designed to push participants to their physical and mental limits while building trust, communication, and problem-solving skills.
The event began at 6am each day and often ran past midnight, leaving participants with little rest as they navigated through some of the Lake District's most iconic and demanding landscapes.
Paul Dickson, CEO and managing partner of Armstrong Watson, praised the team's efforts and the significance of their achievement.
He said: "We are incredibly proud of our team for taking on the UK Challenge with such enthusiasm, grit and teamwork.
"Finishing 19th in a field of seasoned competitors is a fantastic result and a reflection of the values we hold at Armstrong Watson – passion, trust, honesty, and humanity.
"Events like this not only build physical and mental resilience but also strengthen the bonds that make our people and our business stronger."
The Armstrong Watson team's debut performance ranked among the best of any first-time entrants.
Organisers of the UK Challenge highlight its broader impact on participants and their workplaces, with more than 97 per cent of entrants reporting improved teamwork and communication as a result of the experience.
The event aims to foster personal growth and professional development while encouraging teams to push beyond their perceived limits.
This week, Armstrong Watson, which operates across the North of England and Scotland, was named one of the top UK apprenticeship employers.
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