BDO expands Central South trainee intake

Accountancy and advisory firm BDO has welcomed 29 new trainees to its Central South office in Southampton, part of over 600 new starters joining the firm nationally this week. 

The intake includes school leaver apprentices, university graduates and students on 12-month industrial placements, with over half based outside London.

The trainees attended a two-day induction at Wembley Stadium, gaining insight into BDO’s culture and values while networking with colleagues. 

Steve Le Bas, regional managing partner in the Central South at BDO, said: “Welcoming our new cohort of trainees to the region is a highlight of the year. 

“Our success has always been built on people with ambition and curiosity. 

“This new group of trainees brings all of that and more. 

“I am excited to see the impact they’ll have on our firm, our clients and the Southern region.” 

The programme is part of BDO’s wider commitment to early career development, diversity and social mobility, including initiatives such as the Explore BDO programme, the Northern-specific insight programme and the Black Heritage Programme.

Steve added: “As our insight and work experience programmes continue to grow and evolve, we know they are having a tremendous impact in making the accountancy profession more accessible across the region. 

“Year on year, we’re seeing an increasing number of students from these programmes progressing onto the trainee pathway.

“Social mobility is a strategic area of focus at BDO. 

“We are passionate about improving access to the profession and we have some brilliant online programmes to support this too. 

“In the last year, we’ve seen 4500 young people sign up to our virtual work experience site and a further 2000 active users on our online engagement platform. 

“These initiatives help us access a broader pool of people and improve social mobility, diversity and inclusion, both in the profession and in society generally.”

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