A leadership and career development programme for finance professionals in the East of England has raised over £1,400 for four charities across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

The Finance Leadership Programme, run by professional recruitment specialists Pure and financial and business advisory firm Grant Thornton, is designed to support people focussed on developing their careers and making the step up to Financial Director level. It is delivered free of charge in return for a small donation to charity.

Thirty-seven people attended the interactive breakfast events which took place at Grant Thornton’s offices in Norwich, Ipswich and Chelmsford during the first two weeks of March. 

Tom Earl, Associate Director at Pure, said: “A wider support network like this can play a critical role in assisting ambitious and talented individuals to reach their full potential. Our aim is to support the region’s future finance talent by helping them to explore the skills and experience needed to further progress, add value within their organisation and to become effective leaders. The sessions are designed to be a relaxed and neutral forum where like-minded senior professionals can share experiences, hear from those already in high profile leadership roles, gain business insight and spend time on their personal development.”

The charity donations will be split between Norfolk’s The Big C charity, The Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NICU, Brightstars in Bury St Edmunds and Chelmsford-based charity Kids Inspire.

Darren Bear, Practice Leader for Grant Thornton’s East Anglian office added: “Alongside our work with dynamic, forward thinking business across the East of England, we have a wider purpose at Grant Thornton which is to get businesses, individuals, cities and communities working together to create a more vibrant, progressive and productive economy at all levels.

“A crucial part of this is ensuring there is sufficient local talent available with the right skills to help our region’s businesses grow. The Finance Leadership Programme provides an excellent step towards this goal whilst also supporting exceptional local charities.”

The first sessions for 2017 focussed on the topic of effective leadership. Two further Finance Leadership Programme sessions will be held across the region in May and September. For more information contact Lucy Plumb on lucy.plumb@prs.uk.com