Tom Meredith – from Apprentice to award-winning professional in just three years

For a young man who rebelled at age 16 because Tom felt that he was being shoe-horned into a university place he did not want, and has proudly demonstrated that you don’t have to go to university to succeed by winning Coventry and Warwickshire First Young Professional of the Year 2017. 

The competition in the Banking and Financial Services category was extremely tough and was a true showcase of the region’s most talented young professionals.  Tom was presented with his award after being selected from a strong line-up of four short-listed entrants.

Having rejected the university path,Tom started with MarchantCain Design as a Business Administration apprentice through Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training in December 2013.  He swiftly completed his apprenticeship and, after just six months of basic training, enrolled on a self-taught programme with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, with the goal of becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant as quickly as possible.

Tom has become an extremely valuable employee through his incredible ability to teach himself the complexities of management accounting, and apply them in a fast moving business.  Not only does he provide management accounts he also manages the IT and has so far managed all the purchasing function single-handed and he now manages all financial matters within the company including negotiations with investors and suppliers whilst keeping a very close eye on purchasing.