Date posted: 9th Dec 2025
Clive Owen LLP, which has offices in Darlington, York, Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, has once again achieved Platinum accredited membership as part of The 5% Club’s highly respected Employer Audit Scheme, placing the firm among the top-performing SMEs in the UK.
This prestigious recognition celebrates the firm’s exceptional dedication to nurturing talent through “earn and learn” opportunities, including apprenticeships, graduate programmes and leadership development, which empower employees to grow, learn and thrive within the profession.
Platinum status is the highest level of accreditation awarded by The 5% Club, a dynamic organisation of UK employers dedicated to helping build a more skilled and socially mobile workforce and is reserved for businesses that demonstrate excellence in workplace learning and development. Clive Owen LLP joins an elite group of employers, including DHL, GlaxoSmithKline and Lidl, setting the benchmark for investment in people and professional growth.
The firm’s approach encourages development at all levels and across all departments. It combines apprenticeships for school leavers as well as graduate pathways linked to traditional accountancy and tax qualifications including ACA, ACCA, AAT, CTA and ATT. Post qualification it recognises the benefits of offering continuing technical development, specialist training and leadership skills to the accountancy and tax teams. Support functions such as marketing, HR, IT and administration teams are also encouraged to upskill in their own specialisms.
This is supported by strong partnerships with external training providers and Clive Owen LLP’s comprehensive Talent Development Programme, including dedicated Learning and Development Pathways designed by technical training experts to align knowledge, skills and behaviours with career levels and firm goals.
Feedback from the Great Place to Work survey, in which the firm performed strongly and achieved official accreditation, is actively used to refine and enhance these programmes, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to continuous improvement. Clive Owen LLP also holds Good Business Charter accreditation, reflecting its values-led culture, ethical business practices and focus on employee wellbeing. Together, these accreditations demonstrate how the firm’s people-centred approach is directly supporting its continued growth and success.
With over 150 employees, the firm continues to champion learning at every level, with many colleagues undertaking ongoing professional development to enhance their knowledge and expertise. Additionally, Clive Owen LLP welcomed nine new trainees last year and plans to recruit a further 10 in the coming year as part of its long-term talent strategy, ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled professionals for the future.
Kevin Shotton, Joint Managing Partner at Clive Owen LLP, said: “Renewing our Platinum status is a tremendous milestone and reflects our commitment to nurturing talent. Our bespoke training initiatives and high levels of workplace learning participation underline our belief that investing in our people is the cornerstone of our continued success. By offering clear career pathways and regular mentoring we can ensure that our talented team is supported to achieve their potential.”
Nicola Bellerby, Training Partner at Clive Owen LLP, said: “We are incredibly proud to once again be recognised at the highest level by The 5% Club. Our goal is to create a culture of continuous improvement where every individual feels supported in their professional growth, from apprentices to senior professionals. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our people and the strength of our training programmes.”
Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, said: “We are delighted to see outstanding employers such as Clive Owen LLP maintaining Platinum status under our Employer Audit Scheme. Their continued dedication to creating rich and varied ‘earn and learn’ opportunities sets a remarkable example of how investing in people drives success for both business and society.”
Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club, added: “It is inspiring to see the leadership and passion that Clive Owen LLP brings to developing talent. Their Platinum membership reflects a deep commitment to opportunity, inclusion and excellence and we are proud to have them among our top-tier members shaping the workforce of the future.”
