ICAS is one of 16 new partners of social mobility initiative Rise, which launched last year to help young people from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Bruce Cartwright CA, ICAS chief executive, said: “As Chartered Accountants (CAs) and finance professionals, we have a responsibility to pass on our knowledge to those who are in need of it the most. Working with children from schools in areas of low social mobility at this early stage in their lives is vital, and by partnering with the Rise initiative, we can help provide them with the tools and understanding they can use to work towards a successful career and a bright future.”

Partners of Rise provide volunteers to support sessions and develop relationships with schools in their local communities. In the course of this academic year, Rise will deliver 50 workshops to 3,000 pupils at schools across the UK. The workshops are delivered by educational charity the Talent Foundry.

With the help of ICAS and the other 15 new partners, Rise hopes to have 6,000 pupils attend 100 workshops in 2022-23.

The full list of 16 new Rise partners are as follows

• AAB
• Albert Goodman
• Atmo Technology
• BPP
• Crowe
• Dixon Wilson
• Duncan & Toplis
• First Intuition
• Harris+Co
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
• Kaplan
• Lubbock Fine
• Moore Kingston Smith
• RSM UK
• Saffery Champness
• Wheelhouse Advisors.

The initiative was established to help young people from low socio-economic backgrounds realise and raise their aspirations, by ensuring they have the skills required to succeed in life and work. It was launched by ICAEW, EY, KPMG, PwC, BDO and Grant Thornton in December 2021.