Rory Murphy, an apprentice accountant at the Bannatyne Group, has achieved a top ten global ranking in a recent Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) exam.
Rory, who joined the company in 2019, is currently undertaking his apprenticeship at the company’s head office in Darlington. He is on track to qualify as a Chartered Management Accountant by October 2025.
A former Head Boy at Carmel College Sixth Form in the town, Rory chose the apprenticeship route over university. His time at Bannatyne has given him wide-ranging experience across the business, and he is currently part of the financial planning and analysis team, mentored by Ben Hall, Group Head of FP&A.
Beyond his core role, Rory leads B:Social, an internal initiative focused on developing and promoting company culture and values across the Bannatyne Group. This includes coordinating staff engagement activities and charity events run by the company and individual clubs, helping to bring teams together and make a wider community impact.
Rory also plays an active role in shaping the future of apprenticeships. He is a member of the Apprentice Advisory Board of KAAP (Kaplan UK’s Apprenticeship Programme), where he contributes to programme development and campaigns for improved funding. He regularly returns to Carmel College to support careers fairs and was a mentor on the Darlington STEAM Ahead project.
Rory said: “The level of support I’ve had at the Bannatyne Group has been fantastic. The business has been incredibly flexible and shaped opportunities around my interests, particularly in financial planning and analysis. I’ve also been able to lead B:Social, which lets me contribute to our workplace culture and community impact. I’d highly recommend the apprenticeship route – it’s given me real responsibility, excellent experience, and helped me to qualify without the debt of university.
“It’s a bit surreal to think I was in the top ten in the world following the most recent ‘case study’ focused exam but I am very proud.”
Duncan Bannatyne, chairman and chief executive of the Bannatyne Group, said: “Rory’s outstanding achievement is a testament to both his ability and the strength of the apprenticeship route. We are proud to support and nurture emerging talent within our business and Rory’s success reflects the value of investing in people from the very beginning of their careers.”
