Building for the future in our finance department means another new apprentice has joined the HPP fold.
So we give a warm welcome to Accounts Assistant Olivia Saint-McCormick, who is embarking on her 18-month Level 3 Accounting and Finance qualification under the guidance of Adnan Khan, who joined us as Finance Assistant - a completely new role for HPP - last year.
Olivia will be studying one day per week at Oldham College, where she's already spent a year studying for and passing her Level 2 exams.
Since joining us in September, Olivia's been working on invoices and the purchase ledger, as she gathers the knowledge and experience she needs to pass the four modules that make up her qualification, which is seen as the equivalent of an A-Level.
It means she is working towards applying the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping, management accounting, tax processes for business and the different business types, structures, governance, and the legal framework they operate in.
She says: "I am really enjoying everything I have to do. The people are really nice and very helpful. I'd love to carry on and do my Level 4, after I've passed my Level 3, of course!"
Olivia, aged 19 and from Limeside, is a former pupil at the Co-op Academy in Failsworth, where she passed seven GCSEs, and from where she recognised the familiar face of another HPP apprentice -
Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer Ellie Shepherd!
Olivia first became interested in finance as it was a role her mum used to work in. However, she first decided to study social care at college before realising it wasn't for her, and then taking a year out before returning to complete her Level 2 finance qualification.
Outside of work, film fan Olivia says her favourite movie is The Notebook, a moving true story based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks about a couple together for 60 years who impressed him with how strong their love for each other was.
Now Olivia is looking forward to an unusual occurrence in 2024 - a birthday! She was born in a Leap Year and can only celebrate her actual birthday of 29th February every four years.
Meanwhile, another new face in the Accounts team is Purchase Ledger Controller Adam Price as the department evolves due to retirements and long serving staff cutting back on their hours.
All the changes are being overseen by Finance Manager Matt Wilson, who joined us as Management Accountant almost two years ago.