Hannah is toast of firm after passing ACCA qualifications

Dorset accountancy firm, Inspire, is celebrating after Client Services Adviser Hannah Howes passed her ACCA qualifications, becoming a qualified chartered certified accountant.

Busy providing support to clients during this challenging time, Hannah specialises in management accounting and is part of the firm’s ‘FD on Demand’ team.

Hannah joined Poole-based Inspire six years ago as a trainee, initially processing payroll for clients.

She gained her Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) Payroll Technician Certificate and then decided she wanted more of a challenge, so began studying for her Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification in 2015.

Gaining experience within the accounts and audit team, Hannah then continued her studies with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), completing the course earlier this year.

Hannah said: “I am delighted to have passed my ACCA qualification, the studying has certainly kept me occupied for the last few years, but it’s all been worth it.

“I have specialised in management accounts and really enjoy the work I do as part of the FD on Demand team, as I like getting into real time detail of a business and being able to help our clients address any issues, as soon as they happen,

“Although I completed the course in March, by the time I received my results, we were all in lockdown, so I’m looking forward to celebrating properly when I can!”

Chris Downing, Inspire Director, pictured left, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled for Hannah that she’s passed her ACCA exams.

“It’s testament to her hard work and dedication that she’s continued to  study hard and deliver for her clients.

“Hannah is a real asset to the Inspire team and we look forward to what the future holds for her.”

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Dorset Careers Hub to be extended and expanded

Dorset LEP has secured funding for the extension and expansion of the Dorset Careers Hub.

It will expand the work already started in the existing Careers Hub to support a wider range of schools to achieve national benchmarks.

Dorset Careers Hub was the first of its kind to be established in the region and already comprises 40 local schools and colleges working together with universities and colleges, training providers, career professionals and employers across Dorset.

Dorset Careers Hub launch at the National Sailing Academy in Weymouth last year.

The 2019/20 pilot has enabled schools and colleges within the Careers Hub to make progress against a set of eight benchmarks that schools can use as a framework for improving their careers provision.

The extension will see more than 30 additional schools invited to join Dorset Careers Hub, including secondary schools, middle schools, FE colleges, special schools and learning centres.

It means Dorset LEP, Dorset Council and BCP Council can collectively work with over 70 schools across Dorset more intensively.

Existing funding has also been ring-fenced for focused careers support in Weymouth and Portland as an area with poor social mobility.

Luke Rake, Chair of Dorset Careers Hub Steering Group and Principal of Kingston Maurward College said: “To receive confirmation of renewed funding for Dorset Careers Hub, in competitive times, is extremely encouraging.

“Studies have shown that good careers support, including employer interactions from a young age, help students from all backgrounds to better achieve their potential.

“We are ambitious, and I’m extremely happy to increase the work we do with schools, colleges, training providers and public sector bodies, to ensure every young person in Dorset has the best possible life chances.”

Jim Stewart, Chair of Dorset LEP said “This is a fantastic boost for Dorset’s careers support, enabling us to build on a very successful model in improving careers education across the region.”

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Eve’s poster triumphs in Water Saving Week contest

A ten year old punched the air and said “Everyone should become a water warrior” after winning a poster competition.

Eve Standen, pictured left, came first in her age category in the contest staged by South West Water to mark last month’s Water Saving Week.

The competition was open to school-age children of staff, family and friends of parent company Pennon plc.

Entrants had to draw a poster to show what they have done to save water.

The contest was judged independently by Waterwise, a not-for-profit body focused on reducing water consumption in the UK.

Eve, the daughter of Bournemouth Water Business employee Elaine Dicker, won a £30 book voucher for herself and a £250 cheque and a water butt for her school, Queens Park Academy.

A spokesman for Waterwise said: “We loved this poster, not only because of the wonderful tips on how to save water but that Eve had cleverly used watercolours to paint the earth too.

“We liked how she’s drawn the tap coming straight out of the earth, because lots of people forget that our tap water comes straight from our local environment.”