Crowe welcomes latest cohort of young Black professionals

Since 2022, professional services firm Crowe has supported the 10,000 Interns Foundation, promoting workplace diversity. This year, it will welcome 11 Black interns across five of its UK offices.

Founded in 2020, the 10,000 Interns Foundation is an initiative seeking to boost the inclusion of Black workers in the finance, law and professional service sectors. To make this a reality, the project supports the creation of internships only open to Black applicants in those industries where they have traditionally been underrepresented. The project has subsequently won widespread support from private and public sector leaders.

For three years now, one of those supporters has been audit and advisory firm Crowe. In 2023, for example, as part of the firm’s commitment to the cause, alongside 700 other participating professional firms, multinational corporations, ambitious startups, and public bodies, Crowe welcomed a cohort of 10 interns.

One year on, Crowe has expanded this intake to 11 interns, who will be based across five Crowe offices. As part of its commitment, Crowe has offered the new interns a minimum of six-weeks paid employment which includes a comprehensive programme that enables them to learn new skills and experience a professional work environment to kickstart their career in the world of business. 

Nigel Bostock, CEO of Crowe, said, “At Crowe we care about our people, and by being inclusive and offering opportunities for all, it helps open up an industry which has traditionally lacked diversity. I am delighted we’re continuing to support the 10,000 Interns Foundation, which last year saw two interns successfully gain permanent positions at the firm. Having had the pleasure of meeting this year’s cohort, they are a talented group of people and I look forward to following their development over the next few weeks.”

Throughout their internship, each will be supported by a dedicated mentor. The firm aims to foster a culture of respect, where its people support each other and clients, are listened to and can develop their knowledge and awareness of each other’s differences. Crowe encourages celebration and promotion of the diversity within its teams and the benefits that this brings to the firm and to individuals. 

Azeem Zafar, global business solutions and reach lead at Crowe, added, “We strive to create a truly inclusive organisation at Crowe by ensuring there is an environment which allows people to flourish and achieve their potential, and at the same time recongising their contributions and value to the firm, regardless of their race, ethnicity or  cultural heritage. We’re delighted this year’s cohort have chosen Crowe. Crowe is so proud to be offering young people the opportunity to learn new skills and lay-down the foundations of a potential new and exciting career path.”