An academy programme that provides fully funded training for school leavers to become Chartered Accountants is celebrating another success story.
Luke Turner has been promoted to the role of VAT Manager at Ulverston-based chartered accountants JF Hornby and Co.
The 27-year-old joined the company straight from sixth form in 2017 after applying for one of its coveted apprenticeship positions.
Promotion: Luke Turner
He said: “Becoming VAT Manager is a definite step up. It’s taken a lot of work to become qualified and to put me in a position to be considered for this role.
“But that work is proving worth it in the long run. I turned down a place to study Geography at university when JF Hornby offered me the apprenticeship. I’m definitely better off here, with no student debt. And I’m really enjoying it.”
The Hornby Academy was established in 2016 to address a shortage of skills in the area and provide an alternative to university education. It offers young people a fully funded route into the profession.
Luke and fellow Academy trainees undertake five years of paid, part-time study at the University of Central Lancashire, combined with learning on the job at JF Hornby.
He graduated with a first-class accountancy degree, before completing two further years of study for his professional exams. He attained chartered status in February last year.
In his spare time, Luke is a keen runner and treasurer of Ulverston-based running club Hoad Hill Harriers.
Delighted: Hornby’s MD, Paul Hornby
His accountancy background played a major part in being offered the role. “They all knew what I did for work, so I couldn’t get away without being treasurer for too long!”
In the decade since it launched, 13 aspiring accountants have passed through the Hornby Academy. Another three are currently at various stages of their learning.
Managing Director, Paul Hornby’s decision to create the Academy, was underpinned by his belief that businesses have a responsibility to invest in young people.
He said: “I’m delighted to appoint Luke to the role of VAT Manager. It’s another example of hard work paying off, and I’m so pleased that the Academy has another success story.
“I believe in ‘earn while you learn’ professional development. We invest a lot into our learners, but we get even more back from them.”
JF Hornby and Co serves in the region of 2,000 clients and has a team of 50 staff. The company offers a suite of services including accountancy, tax and tax planning, corporate finance, payroll solutions and cloud accounting.
It works with businesses across Cumbria and beyond.
