Graduate giving helping hand by Mansfield’s Stopford Associates

Stopford Associates are taking part in a local government initiative that gives recent graduates the opportunity to complete placements with local businesses.

The Mansfield-based accountancy firm have appointed Robbie Sinclair to manage their marketing activities through the Ashfield and Mansfield District Councils Graduates into Enterprise Scheme.

Stopfords are passionate about supporting local graduates and in this newly created position Robbie will play a major role in raising the awareness of the firm and helping it grow.

This recent addition to the Stopfords team highlights their sustained growth over the past few years after recruiting a number of new staff and opening a new office in Chesterfield. Established in 1994, Stopfords have developed an excellent reputation in Mansfield, combining traditional values with forward thinking to offer a different kind of accountancy firm in the area.

The Graduates into Enterprise Scheme aims to encourage graduate retention in the area by linking them with local businesses to complete a six month paid placement.

It provides graduates with the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge they developed at university in a working environment, gain employment experience and make a valuable contribution to a local business.

As well as this, the graduates bring a number of benefits to the business including their in-depth knowledge of a specific field, a fresh and creative perspective and the ability to make a noticeable difference to business performance.

Robbie joins Stopfords after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a First Class Degree in Media Studies and will create and implement a marketing plan to effectively promote the firm.

He said: “This graduate scheme has given me the fantastic opportunity to use my skills and knowledge to make a valuable contribution to a local business and gain experience to enhance my career prospects”.

Glen Wood, Director at Stopford Associates, said: “In such a competitive graduate job market it is important for local businesses, such as Stopfords, to support schemes like Graduates into Enterprise. These schemes play a big role in keeping talented graduates in the area whilst giving them the opportunity to excel and encourage business growth in Ashfield and Mansfield.

“We are delighted to be offering this graduate placement and look forward to seeing the positive impact that it brings”.