2026 Student Training Morning

On Wednesday 23 September, 19 trainees from across the firm came together in the wonderful new boardroom at our Ely office for an informative and engaging morning designed to introduce Whitings’ AAT, ACA, ACCA and ATT training programmes.

What Did Our Annual Student Training Morning Include?

The session began with a warm welcome and introduction to Whitings from Chairman, Chris Ridgeon. Trainees then split into dedicated breakout sessions tailored to their chosen qualification pathways. Yvonne Eaves from AAT led the AAT programme session, while Whitings colleagues Jordan Smith and Harry McKeown drew on their own experiences to provide valuable insights into the ACA and ACCA programmes. Angelica Ferentinos and Shamus Chaplin hosted the ATT session, sharing their knowledge and guidance on the qualification journey.

Following a short refreshment break, Jordan Smith from our March office shared his personal career journey. He offered an honest and inspiring account of his progression from apprentice to manager. Jordan spoke openly about the challenges he encountered and the rewards that have come with developing a successful career at Whitings. Next, Jaimie King, Partner in our Bury St Edmunds office, reflected on her own Whitings journey from trainee to partner. Her presentation highlighted the opportunities available within the firm and the value of determination, development and ambition. This was followed by a lively round of Professional Situation and Knowledge Bingo. Emilia Gintauskaite, Jai Gayle and Martino Riello claimed first prize after achieving a full house.

The morning continued with a presentation from Ben Bullman of First Intuition. As Programme Delivery Director, Ben provided an inspiring overview of the support available to students throughout their studies. He demonstrated how First Intuition offers far more than just technical training and plays a key role in helping students succeed throughout their qualification journey.

The Finale

The grand finale was a Whitings themed quiz hosted by Chairman/quizmaster Chris Ridgeon. Congratulations to Harry Crowe from the Wisbech office, who emerged as the overall winner. He demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the firm and proved that he had certainly done his homework!

The event was extremely well received, with plenty of muffins and yum yums enjoyed along the way. More importantly, it provided a fantastic opportunity for trainees from across the firm to meet one another, share experiences and begin building valuable connections as they progress through their professional careers with Whitings.