Samuel Grant Group

The Samuel Grant Group is a thriving group of companies operating five facilities across England. It comprises of Samuel Grant Packaging (three sites), Samson Pallet Stability and Marmax Recycled Plastic Products. As a levy-paying employer, the company has strategically embraced apprenticeships as a cornerstone of their talent development strategy.

The challenge: Planning for an aging workforce

As 2020 drew to a close, Samuel Grant Packaging’s North West branch faced a staffing challenge. Their bookkeeper was approaching retirement and management’s initial instinct was to seek an experienced and qualified professional to fill the gap.

However, Jamie Yardley, who had recently joined as the branch Finance Lead, recognised an opportunity to take a different approach – cultivating the next generation of leaders from within by investing time and resources in developing young talent through structured apprenticeships.

The Solution: Accounting apprenticeships

The company’s approach to apprentice development was deliberately ambitious, with apprentices given significant real-world responsibilities, alongside strong mentoring and support systems. Apprentices would gain practical experience managing actual business operations while pursuing the apprenticeship and AAT qualifications through Damar.

Crucially, the company created a supportive environment where mistakes were reframed as learning opportunities rather than failures. This cultural foundation proved essential for enabling young professionals to develop confidence alongside competence.

Josh Atkin: From apprentice to finance leader

In December 2020, while his peers were pursuing AS levels, Josh chose to begin his level 3 accounting apprenticeship with the company.

During and after the apprenticeship, his responsibilities evolved rapidly and strategically. Beginning with credit control and administrative tasks, Josh progressively took on purchase ledger duties, banking and cash management, and eventually management accounts. Today, Josh manages the accounts for the company’s Leeds branch – a responsibility that would typically require decades of experience.

“Experience is just as important, if not more important, than the qualification that you get. I wouldn’t be able to pick up a phone and speak to a customer the same way… I’d have the knowledge of how to post a journal, but I wouldn’t necessarily know how to put that into the business and understand the context of it.”

At just 22 years old with five years of experience, Josh now holds a prominent finance position within the group.

Maariyah Choudhry: The next generation

Starting in November 2024 with no accounting background beyond A-level business studies, Maariyah chose the apprenticeship over university.

In less than a year, she has nearly completed her level 2 accounting apprenticeship and progressed from credit control responsibilities to managing the entire accounts function for the North East branch, which employs over 20 staff members.

“I’m more of a hands-on type of person. So this was very good for me… I definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking at finance or accounting.”

Supported by her Damar coach, Maariyah has mapped out an ambitious career trajectory: completing level 3 and 4 accounting apprenticeships before potentially pursuing ACCA or CIMA qualifications. Her rapid progression mirrors Josh’s journey, while demonstrating the sustainability of the company’s apprenticeship model.

Impact

From a business perspective, the programme has solved the succession planning challenge. Josh’s development enabled Jamie Yardley to transition into his current Business Analyst role, confident that the finance function was in capable hands, and now under mentorship of the Group Finance Director. The programme provides cost-effective utilisation of levy funding while creating a sustainable talent pipeline that reduces recruitment costs and risks.

For individual apprentices, the benefits are also impressive. The combination of foundational learning through Damar and intensive practical experience creates well-rounded professionals with both technical excellence and essential soft skills. Both apprentices have developed confidence, communication abilities, decision-making skills and time management capabilities that extend far beyond accounting knowledge.

The partnership with Damar Training has proven beneficial, providing apprentices with perspectives and support that complement the on-the-job experience. Coaches and tutors build supportive relationships with apprentices, offering structured learning through one-to-one coaching, group coaching sessions and specialist workshops.

Looking forward

The journey of the Samuel Grant Group demonstrates that apprenticeships are far more than a recruitment strategy – they are a transformative approach to talent development. By creating a culture of continuous learning, mentorship and meaningful responsibility, the company has turned potential workforce challenges into a powerful competitive advantage. The success of individuals like Josh and Maariyah illustrates how strategic investment in young talent can rapidly accelerate professional growth and organisational capability.

Key Takeaways

• Invest in young people with proper mentoring structures: Apprentices have the potential to develop into senior team members faster and more cost-effectively than traditional experienced hires
• Create well-rounded professionals who understand both technical skills and broader business context
• Solve succession planning challenges: Developing internal talent creates organisational flexibility and reduces recruitment risks
• Partner with quality training providers like Damar Training to complement internal mentoring with foundational knowledge and soft skills development
• Create a supportive culture where apprentices have real responsibilities and mistakes are learning opportunities – this environment enables rapid professional growth
• Long-term ROI through loyalty: Apprentices who receive strong development stay with the company, providing sustained value from the initial investment
• Apprenticeships suit hands-on learners who thrive through practical application rather than traditional academic routes, unlocking talent often overlooked by conventional hiring.