Huge congratulations to our 24/25 placement student Amy Borthwick who received the Careers Confidence Award at this year’s Manchester Metropolitan University Placement Awards which was held at MMU on Thursday 27 November.
This category celebrates a student who has embraced every opportunity to grow during their placement year - developing their skills, building professional self-belief and showing a consistently positive mindset throughout their placement year.
Amy first joined us in August 2024 for her 12-month placement. Like most students taking their first step into professional life, she arrived with limited experience in the accounting systems and processes we use day to day, but plenty of enthusiasm and a strong willingness to learn. By the end of her placement, she was confidently working across a range of software, supporting client work and taking on responsibilities that quickly made her an integral team member.
Her manager, Emma Round, described her as someone who “takes on new tasks in a really positive way”, and that attitude has clearly shaped her whole year. Whether she was preparing accounts, supporting tax and payroll jobs, or picking up client queries, Amy approached everything with a calmness and capability that grew month on month. This was noticed across the firm too - from her increased confidence handling client calls to her willingness to mentor work experience students.
One of the standout moments of Amy’s journey was her shift in mindset. The student who once shied away from speaking up in front of others confidently delivered a presentation to her peers as part of our Trainee Working Group, and went on to represent Harold Sharp at MMU’s Placement Fair. She also threw herself into the social side of the firm, taking part in charity runs, events and internal initiatives that help shape our culture.
Perhaps most impressively, Amy also developed her confidence to think critically - questioning processes, spotting details and raising points that genuinely impressed our Directors. That level of professional curiosity is something we look for in all of our trainees, and Amy has shown it in spades.
Reflecting on her award win, Amy said:
“I’m really proud to have been recognised at the MMU Placement Awards! My year at Harold Sharp has been such a valuable experience. I’ve learned so much and felt genuinely supported along the way. It’s been brilliant to see my work make a real impact, and this award is such a lovely way to round off the placement year.”
Fiona Illingworth, Associate Director, who leads the relationship with MMU, commented:
“What a fantastic achievement for Amy, and what a fabulous event for MMU to host to celebrate the achievements of its placement students! It’s been a real privilege to support the MMU placement programme. Over the past three years we’ve welcomed four placement students from MMU - each bringing enthusiasm, a new perspective and a genuine interest in a long-term career in accounting.
Harold Sharp also regularly supports MMU’s speaking events and careers fairs to help students understand what a placement year can look like outside of the ‘big four’. The events are a great way for students to connect with employers, hear from existing and former placement students, and understand the breadth of careers available in their chosen sector. You can meet some of the Harold Sharp team at the MMU Placement Fair - Wednesday 11 February 2026 (details on the MMU Portal).
