Hugo: intern to director
My first experience of Grant Thornton came whilst I was still at university studying politics and economics. I was really interested in the ability of governments to achieve economics outcomes with tax policy, so applied, and was successful, to a Tax internship within the Large Corporate and International team in Milton Keynes.
I enjoyed the experience with the team and the nature of the work, as well as meeting other like-minded interns, however, had set my eyes on working in London, and so interviewed with the Real Estate Tax team after a referral from the team.
While back in my studies, I met with the Partner who headed up the Real Estate Tax team and found their approach and interest in the subject matter to be both inspiring and exciting. I was sold.
Supported to succeed
Throughout my career I have felt supported by my manager, and wider team, to progress within the firm, in a way that worked for me and my goals and aspirations. Senior colleagues have always been open and honest about their journeys and have managed and mentored me throughout my career so far, helping to set out a framework through which I could set stretching goals to go beyond and achieve a fast but managed progression.
The work I do with Real Estate Tax means that I am interacting constantly with very bright and commercial people internally, at clients and at other advisors in relation to the projects whether that be lawyers, financing advisors, or otherwise. It also means that there are technical challenges arising constantly which need to be considered from fresh. The real estate angle gives tangible connection to the opportunities being considered and in the current ESG focused world, an insight to how investors are looking at more sustainable real estate investment, both to meet investor demands but also to benefit from commercial returns in a rapidly growing space. All of these factors together make the day-to-day experience a positive one and help me develop my skills and experience to excel in my career.
Life’s about more than work
Throughout my whole time at Grant Thornton, it’s been clear that the firm value us as individuals and that what we do outside of work is important. There is trust that work will get delivered without questions or scrutiny at what I am doing or what is in my diary.
The flexible approach at Grant Thornton allowed me to build time into my days for cycles and runs which gives a positive boost to my working days – and allows me to step away and view things with a fresh mind if needed. Unfortunately, no major sporting feat to report on the back of this though, having ended up requiring a shoulder operation at the end of this summer!
There are of course times when work is challenging, but the team are always there to support – and question whether additional hours are the answer or whether there are other solutions, such as involving more collaboration within the team.
Check out more stories
Volunteers from our firm recently brought back our School Enterprise Programme. Find out how their intervention raised aspirations among students at partner schools in Birmingham and Manchester.
Dylan was fast-tracked to Director from Audit Executive within six years. He tells us about being supported to develop and grow, and how he's found working in audit.
George Williams tells us about the opportunities Grant Thornton careers give junior employees to step up to new responsibilities, and how agile working gives him more time to spend with his partner.