35 under 35 2025: First wave of winners revealed

The Accountancy Age 35 under 35 returns for 2025, shining a spotlight on the profession’s rising stars. Each year, the ranking recognises young accountants who are not only excelling in their careers but also making meaningful contributions to their firms, clients, and the wider community.

The initiative, supported by AJ Chambers, celebrates individuals under the age of 35 who demonstrate exceptional technical skill, leadership potential, and a commitment to driving the industry forward.

This year’s cohort reflects the breadth of the profession—from academia and practice to industry and entrepreneurial ventures. Their stories highlight how innovation, ambition, and resilience continue to reshape accountancy in the UK.

Over the coming days, Accountancy Age will unveil the full line-up of 35 winners. Today, we are proud to introduce the first wave of honourees who have secured their place in the 2025 ranking.

James Wright – Programme Leader of Accountancy and Finance, University of Chichester

James Wright is dedicated to shaping the future of accountancy through education and innovation. As Programme Leader for Accountancy and Finance at the University of Chichester, he has played a key role in building a department that was named 2025 PQ Magazine Public Sector Accountancy College of the Year. His commitment to student development also led him to champion the creation of the university’s Business Society, which went on to win PQ’s 2025 Student Body of the Year after organising initiatives such as a landmark visit to the ACCA headquarters in London.

Beyond academia, Wright has built a global following through his social media initiative, where he shares free educational content for aspiring and qualified finance professionals. His work has earned him recognition from the Small Business Britain programme, an invitation to the House of Lords, and a shortlisting for Best Small Business Owner at the Chichester & Bognor Regis Business Awards.

An ACCA Fellow and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Wright holds a Distinction in his MSc in Accountancy, where his research critically examined the financial management of the UK Football Association. His drive for innovation continues through the delivery of CPD resources, webinars, and partnerships with organisations such as QuickBooks, taking his educational content to international audiences.

Looking forward, Wright is expanding into AI-driven mentoring tools designed to streamline support for students and professionals. By combining academic leadership, digital innovation, and global impact, he has established himself as a standout figure in this year’s 35 under 35.

Rebecca Jones – Tax Partner, Dains Accountants

Rebecca Jones has rapidly established herself as a key figure at Dains Accountants, driving growth while shaping a progressive culture within the firm’s tax department. Since joining in June 2024, she has helped expand the team from 11 to 25 professionals, increasing the fee base by more than 30 percent in just one year. Her impact has been felt not only in numbers but in the cultural transformation that led to her promotion to Tax Partner.

Jones is passionate about challenging traditional perceptions of career progression in tax. By balancing a thriving professional life with family and personal commitments, she has shown younger colleagues that ambition and work-life balance can co-exist. Within her team, she has fostered a culture that supports flexibility and empowers individuals to succeed on their own terms.

Her leadership style combines empathy with a strong commercial mindset. Rather than viewing automation and the decline of compliance work as threats, Jones has encouraged her team to embrace technology and adopt a more strategic, advisory-led approach. Through the use of AI-powered tools and cloud-based platforms, the team has streamlined compliance processes, freeing up time to focus on delivering value-added solutions and becoming trusted business advisers to clients.

Jones is particularly focused on preparing her team for the profession’s future. She coaches them to see tax not just as a technical function but as a core element of boardroom decision-making, aligning strategy with wider commercial priorities. This forward-looking approach has helped attract ambitious professionals who value both progression and balance, making the department one of the firm’s fastest growing.

As Dains pursues its growth agenda, Jones aims to cement the tax team’s reputation as a hub of creativity, inclusivity, and professional excellence—setting a benchmark for what modern leadership in accountancy can achieve.

Suraj Sandhu – Senior Manager, BDO UK

Suraj Sandhu has built her career at the intersection of practice, technology, and international business, establishing herself as a trusted adviser to high-growth clients and a role model within BDO. As Senior Manager in the firm’s Business Services and Outsourcing team, she specialises in supporting tech and fintech companies, particularly US businesses expanding into the UK. Her ability to deliver tailored solutions and facilitate cross-border collaboration has strengthened BDO’s reputation as a partner of choice for international clients.

Her leadership extends beyond client work. As Chair of BDO’s Future Leaders group for Technology, Media, and Telecoms (TMT), Sandhu coordinates a 30-strong network of colleagues across service lines, driving sector-focused collaboration and growth. She has elevated the group’s profile through business development initiatives and networking events, securing influential speakers and creating opportunities for peers to build both internal and external connections.

Sandhu is equally committed to diversity and inclusion. She played a key role in BDO’s partnership with Black Tech Fest, curating a panel discussion that brought together voices from the firm and the wider technology sector, in collaboration with Colour In Tech. She is also developing a Women in Tech initiative set to launch in mid-2025, underlining her dedication to fostering representation and mentoring future leaders.

Colleagues describe her as a leader who combines determination with empathy. Partner Aditi Hyett credits her with “unlocking many opportunities” for clients, while Director Joel Kara highlights how her inclusive style ensures colleagues “feel supported, motivated, and confident.”

With over a decade of experience advising scaling tech businesses, Sandhu has shown how strong sector knowledge, inclusive leadership, and a passion for community impact can transform both client outcomes and firm culture. Her achievements mark her out as a standout member of the 35 under 35.

Eddi Taylor – Regional Managing Partner, Azets

At just 33, Eddi Taylor has been appointed Regional Managing Partner for the South East at Azets—making him one of the youngest professionals to take on this senior leadership role within the firm. His rise reflects not only strong commercial results but a leadership approach built on mentoring, inclusivity, and long-term people development.

Taylor’s career has been defined by his commitment to supporting colleagues at every stage of their journey. Known for his calm and approachable leadership style, he has mentored junior staff as they gain confidence, guided newly qualified accountants into management, and coached emerging leaders preparing to step into senior roles. His focus on unlocking potential and providing structured progression pathways has earned him wide respect across the firm.

Before assuming regional responsibilities, Taylor led Azets’ Canterbury office in a business advisory capacity. Under his leadership, the office achieved strong growth while embedding a culture that prioritised staff engagement and retention. His team became recognised for its high performance and commitment to internal career progression. He also played a pivotal role in launching Azets’ business advisory and coaching service line and spearheaded the development of the firm’s company secretarial offering, expanding the firm’s client-facing capabilities.

As Regional Managing Partner, Taylor has set his sights on sustainable growth that balances commercial success with a people-first ethos. He plans to further embed mentoring into Azets’ culture, strengthen support for career development, and create new opportunities for staff to progress in ways that reflect their strengths rather than rigid career models.

Colleagues describe him as a leader of integrity who listens, empowers, and consistently brings out the best in others. Taylor’s inclusion in the 35 under 35 recognises a professional driving change not just through business results, but by shaping a modern, inclusive, and human-centred accountancy profession.

Zeenat Patel – Audit Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP

Zeenat Patel’s career is a story of resilience, determination, and leadership. As one of the youngest Audit Directors at Grant Thornton UK, she has combined technical excellence with a deep commitment to people and inclusivity.

Patel’s journey has not been without setbacks. Coming from a traditional family, she was the first in her family to attend university. After beginning her training at a Big Four firm, early struggles balancing work and study led to failed exams and a terminated contract. Rather than giving up, Patel took time to reset and joined Grant Thornton in 2015, where she found an environment that enabled her to thrive. By openly sharing her own experiences, she now inspires trainees and colleagues, showing that setbacks can be stepping stones to success.

Within Grant Thornton’s North West practice, Patel has made it her mission to foster an inclusive culture. She has served on the firm’s Inclusion Advisory Board, advocating for policies and practices that ensure everyone feels they belong. Her openness about her journey has created safe spaces for colleagues to talk about challenges and ambitions, helping to nurture the next generation of leaders.

In her client work, Patel leads several of the firm’s largest audits. She has introduced innovation to audit processes, notably by collaborating with Grant Thornton’s digital team to develop a data analytics tool that maps transaction flows for a major food retailer. This replaced traditional sampling with advanced analytics, giving the client valuable new insights and strengthening their management reporting. She has also been active in the firm’s go-to-market strategy, securing new audits in private capital and listed sectors.

Beyond the firm, Patel holds a voluntary governance role at a local school and has been recognised on the Northern Power Women Futures List and as MiMA Finance Professional of the Year. Her blend of resilience, innovation, and inclusive leadership makes her a standout member of this year’s 35 under 35.

Charles Hill – Partner, Cottons Group

In just two years since rejoining Cottons, Charles Hill has established himself as one of the firm’s most influential leaders, earning promotion to equity partner in June 2024. His rapid progression reflects both technical excellence and a clear ability to deliver growth, integration, and cultural cohesion.

Hill returned to Cottons Group in 2022 after five years at a Top 12 firm, where he had built regional management experience. Bringing that expertise back to Cottons, he immediately took charge of integrating J R Watson & Co into the business. Under his direction, the acquired practice’s GRF rose from £400k to £600k, bolstered by the introduction of R&D, inheritance tax, and advisory services, while he ensured the continuation of pro bono work for local charities and churches. He also oversaw the transition of Roberts & Co’s audit clients, growing the portfolio from £50k to £150k despite no staff transferring—a result achieved entirely through his own resourcing and leadership.

His personal ledger now stands at around £900k GRF with a 97% recovery rate, making it one of the firm’s largest and most efficient. Hill has also driven improvements in audit quality, applying big-firm experience to overhaul planning processes, deliver seminars, and support a successful ICAEW QAD review in 2023.

Alongside financial results, Hill has prioritised team development. Notably, he supported a team member from the Watson acquisition in completing their shelved ACCA studies—an example of his belief in nurturing talent through opportunity and encouragement. His leadership has also played a role in high-profile client wins, including a global automotive supplier and a group with turnover exceeding £1bn.

Hill is an active member of Cottons’ Growth Group, influencing strategy around lead management and organic expansion. Measured, trusted, and people-focused, he combines technical sharpness with a deep sense of integrity—qualities that make him a defining voice in Cottons’ future.

Nick Whitehead – Audit Partner, BPM

At just 32, Nick Whitehead has played a central role in BPM’s expansion into the United Kingdom, becoming one of the founding partners of the firm’s London practice. His leadership marks a significant step in the international growth of the 1,200-person, 75-partner firm, and underscores his ability to combine technical expertise with cultural awareness to serve transatlantic clients.

Whitehead’s background positioned him uniquely for this challenge. With early career experience on secondment in Denver and strong personal ties to the US, he has been able to bridge the cultural and regulatory differences that often hinder UK firms in serving American businesses. His insights have proved invaluable for US companies establishing operations in the UK, saving clients time and creating smoother cross-border transitions.

Alongside international expansion, Whitehead has demonstrated consistent business development success. He has won and retained high-profile clients, including a construction group that doubled in size within a year and went on to become one of the firm’s top ten accounts. His client relationships are built on trust and partnership, emphasising long-term value over transactional gains.

‘His leadership has also been evident during times of change. In a previous role, Whitehead helped navigate his team as they transitioned through the complex process of moving from a partner-owned model to one backed by private equity, choosing open, informal communication with staff to address concerns transparently. This approach reflected his belief that strong leadership means being honest—even when all the answers aren’t yet available.

Mentorship remains a cornerstone of Whitehead’s career. Having led graduate recruitment and coaching initiatives, he prioritises character as much as credentials. Former trainee and now BPM manager Alexa Rossi credits him with accelerating her career, describing him as both approachable and pivotal to her progression.

Whitehead’s influence lies not only in helping BPM establish its European presence but in shaping a culture where people and clients remain at the centre of sustainable growth.

Julia Edwards – Director, Buckley Watson Limited

Julia Edwards has built a reputation as an entrepreneurial leader, an innovator, and a mentor whose impact is felt by clients, colleagues, and the wider profession. At just 26, she took the bold step of starting her own practice in 2021, quickly earning the trust of clients who followed her into this new venture. By late 2022, she joined Buckley Watson as an equity partner, where she continues to shape the firm’s growth and ethos.

Her leadership has been transformative. Edwards has consistently challenged traditional ways of working, championing the adoption of cloud-based technology such as Xero and Hubdoc to create real-time visibility for clients. These innovations have streamlined processes, improved communication, and freed up time for teams to focus on delivering value-added advice. For clients, the result has been not just compliance, but deeper insights that support decision-making and long-term planning.

Colleagues describe Edwards as forward-thinking, intuitive, and deeply supportive. She is known for staying late to help with tough projects, checking in when others are struggling, and mentoring younger professionals with patience and encouragement. By leading with integrity and empathy, she has fostered a culture where people feel valued and motivated to succeed.

Her client impact is equally impressive. Whether guiding start-ups through their formative years or supporting established businesses during periods of significant change, Edwards has a talent for making complex financial situations clear and manageable. Clients trust her because she listens carefully, understands their priorities, and provides practical solutions tailored to their needs.

In less than a decade in the profession, Edwards has already demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical ability, and a commitment to innovation. Her story reflects the energy and creativity driving the next generation of accountancy leaders—and why she is a standout member of this year’s 35 under 35.

Alex Lipman – Director, Advance Business Services, BKL

Alex Lipman’s career journey began at BKL at just 16, when a short work experience placement first sparked his interest in accountancy. His path since then has been far from linear. After starting his career as a trainee at a Big Four firm, he chose to step away, gaining customer service experience while continuing with his exams. Encouraged by a finance director colleague, he returned to professional practice—a decision that set him on the path to becoming one of BKL’s standout leaders.

Lipman has dedicated over a decade to Wilson Wright and BKL, progressing from Audit & Accounts manager to director at Wilson Wright in under two years. In 2024, when Wilson Wright became part of BKL, he played a central role in restructuring the firm’s operations. He oversaw the transition of the Audit & Accounts team into new pods within Advance Business Services, managing reallocation of staff, redistribution of work, and delivery of training—all while ensuring client service remained seamless.

His technical expertise and client focus are evident in his work with Pipe Technologies, a US fintech expanding into the UK. Lipman guided the company from incorporation through to becoming an audit client, liaising with US auditors and overseas finance teams to ensure cross-border compliance. Pipe’s rapid growth to an asset portfolio exceeding £25m was supported by his advice, with the client later benchmarking their US advisers against the service he and BKL had provided.

Lipman also works with high-profile individuals, including Premier League footballers, where discretion, commercial awareness, and technical excellence are essential. From structuring sponsorship deals to managing image rights contracts, his guidance helps clients achieve financial security and compliance in complex environments.

With a reputation for innovation, leadership, and client impact, Lipman is seen by colleagues as both a commercial thinker and a communicator who inspires confidence.