6 days ago
Cumbrian accountants named one of UK's top apprenticeship employers
Armstrong Watson has been named one of the UK's top apprenticeship employers for the fourth year.
The accountancy, business, and financial advisory firm which has offices in Carlisle and Penrith, was ranked 29th in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2025, compiled by High Fliers Research.
Paul Dickson, CEO and managing partner at Armstrong Watson, said: "We are thrilled that we continue to receive recognition for the quality of our apprenticeships.
"We continue to invest in our training programmes year after year and are incredibly proud of our apprentices and the positive impact they have on our business.
"This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality apprenticeship programmes that equip our apprentices with the skills and experience they need to succeed in their careers.
"We're also pleased to welcome our new trainees to the business.
"There are many opportunities ahead of them for a successful career and we wish them all the best in their qualifications."
The new graduate intake for 2025 (Image: Armstrong Watson) The ranking comes as Armstrong Watson welcomes a record 43 graduate trainees, up from 37 last year.
The next intake in September will see up to 34 apprentices begin their AAT and ATT level 4 qualifications, compared to 21 the previous year.
Most new trainees, including seven based in Carlisle, will work toward ACA qualifications to become Chartered Accountants.
Others will join the firm's ATT and CTA graduate schemes.
Each apprentice will follow a three-year programme combining study with experience, coaching, mentoring, and support.
Armstrong Watson's growing apprenticeship programme reflects business growth over the past 18 months, during which time the firm has made three acquisitions.
The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list recognises organisations for their commitment to creating new apprenticeships, and achieving high completion rates.
This is the fourth year Armstrong Watson has featured on the list.
The firm has also appeared in the Department of Education's Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for the past three years, rising from 64th in 2022 to 46th in 2023 and 37th in 2024.
The firm's investment in apprenticeships is part of its wider talent strategy to grow and develop its workforce across the North of England and Scotland.
Armstrong Watson provides accountancy, audit, tax, and advisory services to businesses and individuals across a range of sectors.
