Accountancy firm Crowe welcomes black interns in diversity push

UK tax and advisory firm Crowe has taken on 11 black interns as part of a six-week-long paid programme aimed at boosting "equality of opportunity". The company is working with the 10,000 Interns Foundation in a bid help more underrepresented young people into professional services.

It is the third year Crowe has been involved in the scheme, with this year's cohort working across its five offices. Richmond Akpan has joined the company's Cheltenham office and will be taking part in the programme, which involves a mentoring scheme.

“We’re delighted to welcome Richmond Akpan to our Cheltenham office as part of this year’s cohort of 11 interns across Crowe’s UK business and look forward to helping shape their future," said Ross Price, audit, Midlands and South West Office managing partner.

“We want the brightest and best people so that we can deliver exceptional audit, tax, advisory and risk services to our clients and we want our team to reflect the changing nature of British society and business."

The 10,000 Interns Foundation was established as a non-profit organisation in 2020. Crowe joins more than 700 other participating organisations now offering underrepresented people an opportunity to work in sectors including finance, technology and advertising.

In total, the 10,000 Interns Foundation has helped 5,000 individuals into paid internships since its inception. Last year, two interns on the Crowe programme were given permanent positions at the firm.

Azeem Zafar, partner, global business solutions and REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) lead at Crowe, said: “We strive to create a truly inclusive organisation at Crowe by ensuring there is an environment which allows people to flourish and achieve their potential, and at the same time recognising their contributions and value to the firm, regardless of their race, ethnicity or cultural heritage."

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Nigel Bostock, chief executive of Crowe, said offering opportunities such as the internship scheme helped to open up an industry which has "traditionally lacked diversity".

“Having had the pleasure of meeting this year’s cohort, they are a talented group of people and I look forward to following their development over the next few weeks," he added.