Firm celebrates Scottish Apprenticeship Week

ARMSTRONG Watson is marking Scottish Apprenticeship Week by celebrating the growing number of trainees beginning their careers with the firm, and strengthening the support they receive with the appointment of a technical training director.

Committed to nurturing the next generation of talent, the firm now supports almost 200 trainees, of which 36 are based in Scotland. They are working towards qualifications across audit and assurance, accounting, tax and payroll – including 89 who joined in 2025.

In addition, Armstrong Watson is currently recruiting 12 new trainees across its offices in Dumfries and Glasgow, including AAT and ATT positions alongside graduate roles to gain a chartered qualification equivalent to a master’s degree. All roles offer structured study support, practical experience with clients, and clear routes into specialist areas across the business.

Business services assistant, Jude Porter, based in Dumfries, started last September and is working towards Level 3 AAT. He said: “My time at Armstrong Watson so far has been brilliant and have felt extremely welcomed. The firm has offered a great level of support since starting, especially with all the in-depth training, which has allowed me to complete numerous different jobs. I am constantly learning new things every day as each individual job is unique and has its own perks. I look forward for what is to come.”

Meanwhile, new technical training director Chris Soan, the former associate dean of education at Newcastle University Business School, will continue to ensure students receive exceptional training and support.

He said: “My role is to strengthen the firm’s support framework for our students, empowering them on their journey to becoming confident, well-rounded professionals and ensuring they enjoy an exceptional learning experience.

“I am delighted to be joining Armstrong Watson at such an exciting time for the business. I find it refreshing that a firm is prepared to invest in a new firmwide role which will continue to help its students enjoy an unrivalled training experience. This will help the delivery of exceptional client service as well as to further strengthen our leadership pipeline.”

Last year Armstrong Watson was named among The Sunday Times Top Apprenticeship Employers, ranking 29th and marking a fourth consecutive year of recognition for developing the next generation and upskilling its workforce.

The company has also featured in the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, ranking 37th in 2024, up from 46th in 2023 and 64th in 2022 – and last year was recognised in The Sunday Times’ list of the Best Places to Work.

To find out more about early careers opportunities at Armstrong Watson, or to apply for trainee position, please visit www.armstrongwatson.co.uk/careers.