How did your career with Hazlewoods start and evolve?
I joined Hazlewoods as a placement student in the Tax Team in 2009. After graduating a year later from Cardiff University with a degree in Accounting and Finance, I moved back to Gloucester and re-joined Hazlewoods in the Legal Team. I have since ACA qualified and worked my way up the ladder to become an Associate Director in May 2022.
What drew you to Hazlewoods originally and how has the firm changed since?
Whilst looking for a summer placement, I researched lots of different accountancy practices. I initially started with the Big Four, but quickly decided they weren’t for me and refocused on smaller practices. I applied to Hazlewoods because I grew up in Gloucester and wanted to stay local and had heard of Hazlewoods because of its great reputation. Since I joined, the firm has grown massively, with staff numbers more than doubling.
What is one thing that surprised you about working at Hazlewoods?
How much I would enjoy it! When I first trotted along to my interview for a summer placement in the Tax Team, I never imagined that I would still be with Hazlewoods over 10 years later.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
The people I work with. We’re very fortunate to have lovely people working in the team and having worked at Hazlewoods for such a long time, I’ve made some wonderful friends and have built up great relationships with both my colleagues and clients.
What does a typical day look like for you and what are you currently working on?
Every day is different and there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ when working in the Legal Team. The variety of work is one of the things I love most about my job. This week I’ve done some compliance work (accounts, tax returns etc.), but I’ve also prepared a valuation report for a practice, prepared slides for a presentation on a client’s financial performance and put together some cashflow forecasts for a client looking to obtain finance from the bank.
How do you see the Legal team changing in the next 10 years?
The Legal team has grown massively since I first joined it as a trainee, both in terms of staff and client numbers. Our client base isn’t just local and spans the country. Over the next 10 years, I anticipate the team will continue to grow and we will see more and more clients coming on board due to the sector-specialist service we offer.
What do you enjoy about the office locations?
I’m based at our Windsor House office in the centre of Cheltenham. It’s great working so centrally so I can nip into town or go out for a nice lunch!
What is the best advice you can give to someone just starting out in their career?
Ask questions! There will always be someone around who knows more than you, so make use of them and never be afraid to ask if you’re unsure about something. Sometimes a bit of short-term pain pays off in the long-term!
What do you like doing in your spare time?
My husband Lee and I have two boys – a three-year-old named Max and a one-year-old named Zac. Spending time with them is by far my favourite thing to do and they keep me very busy!!
Tell us something we may not know about you?
I have an identical twin sister and we both had our first baby boys, Max and Harry, on the same day! We call them twin cousins!
