Qais Hussain takes on training and development role with PKF Smith Cooper
Midlands-based accounting and advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper has expanded its internal training and development team. Qais Hussain steps into the new role of learning and development executive.
Selma Delic, operations partner at PKF Smith Cooper, said, “Our people are our greatest strength and vital to the future growth of the company. Several of the partners at PKF Smith Cooper, including myself, began their careers here as trainees, so helping our team to develop, progress and gain their qualifications has always been important to us. Investing in our dedicated Learning and Development Team is fundamental to our commitment to nurturing homegrown talent as our firm contains to expand.”
As UK Midlands member of the global PKF International network, PKF Smith Cooper is a mid-tier firm with a global clout – and completed over 100 deals worth a combined £2 billion last year. Qais Hussain will take on the new role of learning and development executive, having first worked with PKF Smith Cooper six years ago.
In a move which the firm says represents its commitment to “homegrown talent”, Hussain takes on the role after his career began at PKF Smith Cooper in 2018. Since then, he went on to work for two other Midlands accounting firms, before realising his real passion lay in supporting and training team members.
In his latest appointment with the company, Hussain will support trainees in achieving their academic goals and become their day-to-day point of contact for any assistance they need.
He commented, “I am excited to be re-joining the PKFSC team and to be part of its growth. I look forward to working closely with the various service lines, to support the learning and development needs of their teams. I am ready to start this new journey in my career, starting with welcoming the new graduates and apprentices who will be joining PKF Smith Cooper in September.”
PKF Smith Cooper’s learning and development team was launched last year to further the firm’s longstanding commitment to nurturing talent by providing high performers with training and development support to progress their careers. In addition to academic support, group coaching and leadership development, the team offers guidance to promotion candidates during the company’s bi-annual promotion process.
Emma Lesley, learning and development manager at PKF Smith Cooper, added, “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Qais to the learning and development team. His first-hand experience of qualifying as an accountant and working in audit means he can relate to our trainees and the challenges that come with juggling work and study. I’m sure Qais will be a great asset to the team.”
