After a momentous year for our early careers programme in 2024, we’re looking ahead to the next chapter in 2025.
BKL’s early careers growth in 2024 was driven by our long-term partnership with social mobility charity LTSB, the growth of our Early Careers team and our largest ever new trainee intake.
Our LTSB partnership
LTSB prepare and support bright young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into meaningful roles with major firms. LTSB stands for Leadership Through Sport and Business.
BKL have been welcoming LTSB trainees since the charity’s foundation in 2012. LTSB’s 2023/24 report features two members of our Advance Business Services (ABS) team: Megan Xhelili and Rasha Fakreddine, with Megan also appearing on the front cover of the report.
Megan and Rasha were among the AAT apprentices who joined BKL through LTSB in 2024.
Megan says, “It’s amazing to see how this partnership has grown and to work alongside LTSB alumni every day! BKL is the perfect environment for young, driven individuals to grow and learn through their trainee route. LTSB do an amazing job at providing support to excel.”
In turn, BKL’s 2023/24 impact report highlights our rewarding relationship with LTSB, as part of our commitment to having a positive social impact.
Catherine Gurner, Head of Business Development at LTSB, says, “We are extremely grateful for the ongoing partnership from BKL, who have helped us change many young people’s lives for the better. The ripple effects are felt through their families and communities, and we are committed to continuing the partnership with BKL. Thank you to the whole team at BKL.”
During 2024, LTSB alumni at BKL continued to advance their careers. Fabio Riccio, who joined through LTSB in 2016, was promoted to Associate Director in our ABS team. Tom Li, who joined through LTSB in 2013, became a Project Manager in our Digital team.
In 2025, we’re looking forward to welcoming more LTSB trainees into their ABS and audit teams. Several BKL colleagues will also be running the 2025 London Landmarks Half Marathon in support of LTSB.
Our Early Careers team
The thriving relationship with LTSB forms part of an unprecedented year in early careers growth at BKL. In January 2024, Hollie Moore became our first Early Careers Manager, adapting her existing role in BKL’s ABS team.
Hollie collaborates with our People team in this role. She also works closely with Sarah Gillham, who adapted her own role as a BKL Audit Manager and now oversees the ACA trainee experience at BKL.
Hollie says, “I’ve always been passionate about helping people reach their full potential. I identified a gap where our trainees would benefit from someone solely focused on helping them achieve their goals. BKL made this happen, demonstrating their commitment to nurturing talent from day one.
While we’re proud to have so many young people starting their accountancy careers with BKL, we understand that studying while working is challenging. It can lead to bright people leaving sooner than they should. I’m closely involved in supporting them from their assessment day to their interview to their first day at BKL and beyond.”
Welcoming 28 new trainees
In Autumn 2024, we welcomed their biggest ever trainee cohort, with 28 trainees joining across the ABS, Audit and Tax teams in our North London office. The trainees span ACCA, ACA, AAT and ATT, plus an internship.
Wilson Wright, part of BKL, welcomed nine trainees during the same period.
Hollie says, “Investing in BKL’s advisers of the future – through our mutual partnership with LTSB, the development of an Early Careers team and our largest trainee intake so far – is essential to shaping BKL’s future. We’re proud to be building a challenging yet supportive culture where everyone enjoys opportunities to grow, while helping our clients to grow.
We started 2025 with our latest trainee opportunities open and applications coming in. We’re all excited to see who brings their brilliance to BKL this year and we can’t wait to help them begin their careers with us!”
Visit our careers portal to explore our current job opportunities.