The Accountancy Age 35 under 35 continues to celebrate the next generation of accounting talent shaping the future of the profession. Each year, this ranking highlights young professionals who are not only excelling in their technical and client work but also setting new standards in leadership, innovation, and community impact.
Supported by AJ Chambers, the initiative recognises those under 35 who are driving meaningful change—whether in practice, industry, fintech, or the public sector.
This year’s winners reflect a diverse and dynamic profession. They’re leading corporate finance deals, modernising audit functions, mentoring junior colleagues, embracing AI, and championing purpose-driven business models. Their stories show how today’s young accountants are influencing not just balance sheets, but business culture, inclusion, and long-term strategy.
We’re proud to reveal the second wave of honourees in the 2025 ranking.
Jade Els – Associate Director, VAT, S&W
Since joining S&W’s indirect tax team six years ago, she has been instrumental in growing its financial performance—playing a core role in back-to-back 40%+ growth years—while also leading on internal culture, team development, and innovation. As Associate Director, she manages 25–40 client accounts at any given time with a focus on excellence and client experience. It’s this combination of scale and care that’s earned her a loyal portfolio and strong internal recognition.
But it’s her impact on others that truly stands out. Els mentors five junior team members directly, tailoring development to their individual needs. Her leadership style combines accountability with empathy, and her influence reaches across the business. She doesn’t just manage billing or targets—she elevates the standards of everyone around her.
She’s also proactive about shaping the future of the profession. Off her own initiative, she has introduced the team to practical AI use cases—translating research gathered during her commute into usable insights that have improved both efficiency and service delivery. Her curiosity, particularly around technology, is matched by her willingness to share knowledge.
Outside of S&W, she’s become a visible figure in the FinTech space. Earlier this year, she singlehandedly organised a Women in FinTech event that brought together nearly 100 professionals. The event received exceptional feedback and is already being used as a springboard for further collaboration and business development.
David Adderson – Co-Founder, Youtopia
Since launching Youtopia six years ago, Adderson has helped grow the business into a recognised local brand, with an eight-person team and an average annual growth rate of 25%. The firm’s success is rooted in a digital-first ethos that still values human connection—something clients increasingly seek in an age of automation. For many, Youtopia is more than an accountant; it’s a strategic partner.
One client story reflects the full scope of Adderson’s impact. Working with a business still reliant on outdated software and lacking financial visibility, he led a complete transformation: migrating to cloud systems, re-engineering processes, and implementing a bespoke tech stack—including a new inventory system. The result? Turnover tripled from £1m to £3m in just two years, powered by real-time reporting that enabled smarter decisions across the business. The knock-on effect extended to HR and operations—evidence of Adderson’s belief that great finance unlocks performance everywhere.
Innovation sits at the heart of his work. As a founding member of the Early Adopters Hub, Adderson regularly tests accounting software in beta, offering product feedback that shapes the next wave of tools for the profession. In 2024, he took to the stage at the Digital Accountancy Show to speak about launching his podcast, which explores the emotional side of entrepreneurship—from isolation and risk to resilience and growth.
Stephanie Leitch – Associate Director, PSTAX
Starting at Dorset County Council in 2008, Stephanie progressed through a range of finance roles following her involvement in a major finance system implementation. She later specialised in VAT, achieving her AAT qualification and earning recognition as the council’s Young Employee of the Year. Her commitment to public service extended outside the workplace too, serving as Treasurer for the Richard Ely Music Trust.
In 2018, she joined PSTAX as an Indirect Taxes Consultant and quickly became a key player in the business. Named Employee of the Year in 2021, she was promoted to Senior VAT Consultant at 32 and Associate Director at 34. Today, she leads the firm’s VAT team and plays a critical role in both client delivery and internal operations.
Her leadership has been central to PSTAX’s involvement in large-scale public sector projects, including Local Government Reorganisations in Somerset, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria. She has also led work on VAT reclaim strategies following HMRC leisure service rulings, a due diligence project on care contract novations, and partial exemption reviews—with one resulting in a £1.5 million saving. Her efforts in VAT regularisation recovered £10 million across two councils, and she is currently challenging HMRC on VAT for Disabled Facilities Grants, with potential implications totalling £2.4 million. She also recently supported a local police force with a £4 million input tax claim.
Internally, Stephanie has led improvements to PSTAX’s CRM and billing systems and manages the firm’s national training programme, including its annual VAT residential course.
Ben Laing – Partner, Oaklins S&W
Now a Partner at 31—one of the youngest in the wider S&W group—Ben’s rise is a clear reflection of his capability and relentless drive. Though not formally managing a team, he’s widely recognised as a leader: providing mentorship, championing development across the firm, and setting a standard that others aspire to. His style is collaborative, considered, and consistent.
His client work has also left a clear impression. As shared by James Post, Managing Director at Ashbury Global, Ben’s dedication was pivotal to a successful deal outcome. “We were extremely impressed with Ben’s dedication and expertise throughout the process. His tireless work rate, late-night availability, approachability, and strong relationship with our buyer ensured the deal progressed quickly and smoothly,” Post said. “We don’t think we would have got the deal done without his support.”
Ben’s strengths lie in combining the rigour of technical M&A work—like the creation of robust data packs—with an instinct for relationship-building that helps clients feel supported during critical moments. His ability to balance both sides of the job is part of what sets him apart.
James Thurkettle – Corporate Finance Director, Scrutton Bland (Sumer Group)
Having joined the firm in 2014 as part of the Audit team, James has since carved out a key leadership role within the Corporate Finance division. His rise has been marked by continuous growth, from qualifying with ACCA and CFQ to becoming a director with national influence, especially in his specialist field of US/UK GAAP conversion work, which has been instrumental in the education sector and has helped establish a national practice within Scrutton Bland.
James’s expertise spans business valuations, disposals, and acquisitions, and his strategic thinking is matched by a strong work ethic and calm command of complex detail. Clients frequently cite his ability to pair technical rigour with practical guidance—resulting in long-term relationships and consistently positive outcomes. “His strategic insights and meticulous attention to detail have been invaluable to our business,” one client shared.
But James’s impact isn’t limited to client work. He’s known internally as a mentor and collaborator—someone who takes the time to support junior colleagues and fosters a culture of professional development. His influence has shaped not just projects, but people, contributing to the growth of Scrutton Bland’s Corporate Finance team and the firm’s broader reputation.
Outside of work, James is committed to giving back, reflecting a broader ethos that drives him to make a meaningful impact beyond the bottom line.
Jennifer Anderson – Director of Internal Audit, Playtech
Jennifer brings a people-first leadership style to a discipline often characterised by rules and rigor. Her approach combines technical audit expertise with emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to continuous improvement. Under her leadership, Playtech’s internal audit function has become a platform for truth, trust and resilience—one that engages with the company’s most senior leaders and aligns assurance work directly with corporate strategy.
A qualified ICAS chartered accountant with 13 years in the profession, Jennifer leads a high-performing team that thrives on inclusion, feedback and a shared sense of purpose. She has introduced frameworks that align audit priorities with business goals while also ensuring team members find personal meaning in their work. Through regular reflection sessions, mentoring, and ethical leadership, she’s created a culture that’s not just high-performing, but genuinely empowering.
Her influence also extends beyond Playtech. Jennifer is an active trustee and council member for several charities, where she lends her expertise to strengthen governance and strategy. She’s a vocal advocate for women in the profession, mentoring emerging leaders through FLISS and contributing to sector-wide conversations on ethical leadership and audit innovation via podcasts and webinars.
Fabio Riccio’s journey into accountancy didn’t begin in the usual way. Once an aspiring mechanic, it was his determination—and the support of the social mobility charity LTSB—that brought him into BKL as an apprentice. Less than ten years later, he became the firm’s youngest director, having carved out a reputation for leadership, innovation and client excellence.
Fabio now plays a key role in BKL’s Advance Business Services team, leading cross-functional integration projects and contributing to strategic decision-making. Following BKL’s merger with Wilson Wright, he was appointed to the ABS Ops Board despite being the youngest and least senior member at the time. His calm authority and collaborative approach have helped ensure a smooth cultural transition, as well as strong cross-office relationships.
With a strong operational focus, Fabio has introduced systems and reporting tools that have enhanced leadership visibility across KPIs, billing and compliance. His work with platforms such as Karbon, Silverfin and Alphatax has driven measurable improvements in efficiency, transparency and cross-team collaboration.
Fabio’s client impact is equally significant. He has become the trusted adviser to a wide range of clients—from supporting a renewable energy firm’s audit readiness, to managing relationships with small business owners and purpose-led property groups. He played a pivotal role in structuring a VAT and corporation tax solution for a business lender receiving institutional debt funding in 2024. Since April alone, Fabio has helped bring in around £500k of new work, with £50k referred internationally and nearly £200k in audit referrals.
William Abell – Partner, Gerald Edelman
William joined Gerald Edelman in August 2017, shortly after his time in PwC’s Cardiff audit practice. At that point, the Transaction Services team was a small but promising function of three, generating around £500k in annual fee income. Under William’s leadership, the team has expanded to ten and now generates approximately £1.5m in fee income, reflecting both commercial impact and sustained growth.
William’s work spans a wide spectrum of complex projects—from M&A and IPO transactions to valuations, forensic accounting, and financial modelling. In the last financial year alone, he advised on 29 completed M&A transactions with deal values reaching up to £100m. His client base includes trade acquirers, private equity firms, and an increasingly significant presence in the search fund (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) space. William’s growing reputation in ETA transactions has helped position Gerald Edelman as a leading advisor in this niche but high-impact market segment.
Alongside client delivery, William has driven consistent business development to support team expansion. His ability to combine strategic vision with hands-on delivery has attracted speaking opportunities at high-profile events like the Serial Acquirers Symposium and on platforms such as the Found and Funded podcast.
Beyond his firm, William served as Treasurer and Trustee of Kentish Town City Farm from 2021 to 2024, helping guide the organisation through the post-COVID period.
Akshay Vaghela – EOT Services Director, Doyle Clayton
With a background in Big Four audit and an ATT qualification, Akshay brings a unique blend of financial rigour and strategic insight to the table. Since joining Doyle Clayton, he has advised on over 100 EOT transactions, becoming a nationally recognised expert in this rapidly growing field. His ability to structure deals that are both legally sound and commercially viable has made him a trusted partner to founders, boards, and employees across the country—particularly in people-led sectors such as professional services.
What sets Akshay apart is his ability to humanise complex transitions. Clients navigating the emotional and strategic implications of ownership change consistently turn to him for guidance, praising his clarity, empathy, and deep technical knowledge.
Akshay’s impact also extends into team culture and the wider profession. Known for mentoring junior colleagues and advocating for greater diversity, he actively engages with early-career professionals and speaks regularly on the value of inclusive leadership. His work supports broader goals of social mobility and access within the industry.