Leading Cumbrian accountant Armstrong Watson has been named among The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2025.
It comes as the firm welcomes a record number of trainees and marks the fourth year where the business has been celebrated for leading the way in training the next generation and upskilling its workforce.
This year, 43 new graduate trainees have joined the business to complete their level 7 apprenticeship qualifications, up from 37 in 2024, and in September, the next intake of up to 34 apprentices will embark on their AAT and ATT level 4 qualifications (up from 21 last year).
The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025, compiled by High Fliers Research, celebrates the UK’s outstanding apprenticeship employers – recognising their commitment to creating new apprenticeships, the diversity of their apprentices, and the number who successfully complete their apprenticeships. Armstrong Watson has been ranked 29th in the national league.
The firm has previously featured in the Department of Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for the past three years, ranking at 37 in 2024, up from 46 in 2023 and 64 in 2022.
Paul Dickson, Armstrong Watson’s CEO and managing partner, said: “We are thrilled that we continue to receive recognition for the quality of our apprenticeships. We continue to invest in our training programmes year after year and are incredibly proud of our apprentices and the positive impact they have on our business.
“This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality apprenticeship programs that equip our apprentices with the skills and experience they need to succeed in their careers.
“We’re also pleased to welcome our new trainees to the business. There are many opportunities ahead of them for a successful career and we wish them all the best in their qualifications.”
Most of the new students, who are based at the firm’s offices across the north of England and Scotland – including seven based in Carlisle – will be working towards their ACA qualifications to become Chartered Accountants, while others are undertaking the ATT and CTA graduates schemes.
They will embark on a three-year programme, which combines study with valuable hands-on experience, support, coaching and mentoring from the business.
Due to Armstrong Watson’s growth over the 18 months, during which the firm has made three acquisitions, their 2025 intake is the largest to date.
For more information about Armstrong Watson’s apprenticeship programmes, visit www.armstrongwatson.co.uk/careers.
