PKF Smith Cooper furthers commitment to 'homegrown talent' with new training and development hire

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 25 August 2024

UPDATED: 27 August 2024

Midlands-based accounting and advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper has expanded its internal training and development team, as former Audit Manager Qais Hussain steps into the new role of Learning and Development Executive.

Having worked in audit for six years, Qais is a qualified accountant with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. His career began at PKF Smith Cooper in 2018 and he went on to work for two other Midlands accounting firms, before realising his real passion lay in supporting and training team members. As Learning and Development Executive, Qais will support trainees in achieving their academic goals and become their day-to-day point of contact for any assistance they need.

PKF Smith Cooper’s Learning and Development Team was launched last year to further the firm’s longstanding commitment to nurturing homegrown talent by providing high performers with training and development support to progress their careers. In addition to academic support, group coaching and leadership development, the team offers guidance to promotion candidates during the company’s bi-annual promotion process.

Selma Delic, Operations Partner, said:

“Our people are our greatest strength and vital to the future growth of the company. Several of the partners at PKF Smith Cooper, including myself, began their careers here as trainees, so helping our team to develop, progress and gain their qualifications has always been important to us. Investing in our dedicated Learning and Development Team is fundamental to our commitment to nurturing homegrown talent as our firm contains to expand.”

Emma Lesley, Learning and Development Manager, said:

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Qais to the Learning and Development Team. His first-hand experience of qualifying as an accountant and working in audit means he can relate to our trainees and the challenges that come with juggling work and study. I’m sure Qais will be a great asset to the team.”

Qais commented:

“I am excited to be re-joining the PKFSC team and to be part of its growth. I look forward to working closely with the various service lines, to support the learning and development needs of their teams. I am ready to start this new journey in my career, starting with welcoming the new graduates and apprentices who will be joining PKF Smith Cooper in September.”

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