Trainee to Chief Executive: Nigel Bostock shares his journey to the top

Over thirty years ago in 1991, as a product of Crowe’s training programme, Nigel Bostock rose through the ranks to reach the boardroom and eventually become the firm’s Chief Executive in 2017.

This foundation has helped him chart the direction of one of the UK’s leading accountancy firms. As Nigel Bostock, comments:

“Whether you’re changing your career or just starting, it all begins with having the right skills to pursue your career of choice.

Irrespective of a more complex regulatory and tech-driven world, good decision-making skills, the ability to think openly and creatively, and adapting positively to change, remain the skills to have for well-rounded professionals and individuals in order to tackle challenges effectively and provide value for clients.

These ‘skills for life’ I learnt throughout my training gave me the ability to thrive in a profession which has transformed significantly over the last 30 years. However, going from the shopfloor to the boardroom’ continues to be a rare opportunity in the corporate world.

At Crowe, we are giving our trainees the right skills to reach the top.”

Nigel’s career progression has led to a passion for developing the next generation of leaders at Crowe. The firm’s industry renowned Early Careers programmes has emerged as a strong path for progression, helping shape the futures of graduates and school leavers looking for a rewarding career. The firm currently supports over 440 people on its personalised training programmes, enabling them to work within a diverse range of industries and on challenging projects.

Trainees can study and obtain their ACA qualification provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales or follow more business focused pathways such as advisory and risk.

Nigel adds further:

"Higher education has long been the conventional route; however, it has now become essential to explore the advantages of programmes which foster career and personal growth. Our training programmes focus on trainees developing new skills and techniques to help them tackle modern and sophistic challenges and importantly, we’re also improving inclusivity and personal wellbeing.

New regulatory changes to domestic and international tax laws, the ever-present challenges mitigating the impacts of climate change as well as the AI revolution mean we’re continually adapting and improving our programmes to ensure careers are resilient and future-proof."

The combination of practical experience, financial benefits, industry-specific skills, and career acceleration means Crowe’s Early Careers programme is a viable and compelling pathway to a successful and rewarding career, whether in accounting or in another profession.

Crowe provides the foundations for both professional and personal development to help people achieve their ambitions. For more information, explore our Early Careers programme or Work Experience opportunities.

This article first appeared in February in Accountancy Today.