Local accountancy firm scoops top award

LSC South East Learning and Skills Awards 2009

The staff and management of Buckingham-based chartered accountancy firm Anthistle Craven are celebrating winning the title of Employer of the Year at the LSC South East Learning and Skills Awards recently.

The award ceremony, which was held at the Copthorne Effingham Hotel, near Gatwick and hosted by Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two presenter, Claudia Winkleman, celebrated the role learning and skills play in the lives and careers of individuals, the success of businesses and the well being of communities. A total of seven individuals and five businesses were honoured, with Anthistle Craven taking the title of Small (10 – 49 employees) Employer of the Year.

Collecting the award on behalf of Anthistle Craven, partner Shaun Craven said, “As a small firm quietly going about our business, the award came right out of the blue. But we are delighted that our training programme has been acknowledged, both for ourselves and for our training provider, Milton Keynes College, whose support has been priceless.”

The regional director of LSC South East, Marinos Paphitis, said, “Anthistle Craven is a superb example of a business that understands the value of investing in its people - of growing its own skilled workforce and promoting from within. The practice has served the business well during difficult times and will see it continuing to flourish over the years to come.”

Since 2000 a third of the Anthistle Craven workforce has been trained through the Apprenticeship programme, from where the majority goes on to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at level 4 and ACCA training. The same period had seen the company enjoying year on year growth.

Having won its category in the south east region, Anthistle Craven will go on to contest the National Apprenticeship Awards later this year.

Employers and would be apprentices can find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships, and try using the new online vacancy matching service, at apprenticeships.org.uk.

Pictured with Claudia Winkleman, (l to r) Michael Anthistle and Shaun Craven of Anthistle Craven and Norman Boyland of LSC South East

Website: http://www.learningandskillsawards.co.uk/2009/gallery.shtml