What impact does making the 35 under 35 list really have? We spoke to a handful of 2024 winners to hear how the recognition shaped their careers, what they’ve focused on since — and their advice for the next wave of rising talent.
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Each year, Accountancy Age’s 35 under 35 rankings spotlight a cohort of rising professionals driving the UK accounting industry forward. From practice to in-house, fintech to advisory, the individuals recognised aren’t just meeting expectations — they’re rethinking what the profession can achieve.
Now, with this year’s nominations officially closed, we asked a few of last year’s winners to reflect on what the recognition meant to them — and what’s changed one year later.
For Luke Quince, Tech & Process Leader within Accounts & Business Advisory at Azets, the award marked both a personal milestone and a team effort:
“Winning the Accountancy Age 35 under 35 last year was a proud moment — recognition not just of my own journey, but of the brilliant team around me at Azets who make real progress possible.”
Twelve months on, Luke’s attention is squarely focused on impact:
Rebecca Roberts, Director of Accounting & Business Services at UHY Hacker Young, also reflected on the broader meaning behind the award:
“It was a great personal achievement that I believe reflects my genuine passion for driving continued progress in the accounting profession.”
“Being recognised amongst such a talented group of peers was incredibly humbling. Winning has motivated me to keep pushing boundaries and to continue mentoring — and I hope to inspire others in the industry.”
Now more than ever, she says, it’s about developing the next wave of talent and building a firm that grows with its people and its clients.
Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna, Audit Data Analytics Director at RSM UK, spoke about the momentum recognition helped create — and where it’s led him:
“Being named in the 35 under 35 was a tremendous honour and has genuinely helped raise my profile within the profession. I’ve noticed more people recognising my work at conferences and industry events, which has opened doors for collaboration and knowledge sharing – something I’m particularly passionate about.”
In the last year, Konrad has continued to lead in his space:
“I continue as Head of Audit Data Analytics at RSM UK, where I’ve had the privilege of growing my team further. AI has become a significant focus area for our work, and I’ve been actively involved in developing thought leadership through ICAEW, including contributing to their AI masterclass series, webinars, and articles on topics ranging from audit sampling to professional scepticism in the age of automation. Most recently, I was joint winner of Young Accountant of the Year at the International Accounting Forum and Awards, which was incredibly humbling.”
His advice for the next generation?
“Master the art of prioritisation (and it is an art). You can’t do everything at once, and learning to determine the optimal sequence for tackling challenges is crucial. Also, don’t let perfect be the enemy of good – sometimes delivering something solid today is better than delivering something perfect next month, or never, if perfect is a moving target…”
Recognition is just the beginning. As we prepare to reveal the 2025 35 under 35 list later this year, one thing is clear: the energy, ingenuity and leadership demonstrated by last year’s cohort continues to ripple through the sector.
Stay tuned — and if you missed this year’s entry window, nominations will reopen in 2026.
