Transparency Report 2024 - Connected Development

Steve Linnegar
Hi, I'm here today with Zak and Taybah to talk about our Connected Development Programme. We introduced this programme to support and upskill new members of our teams through one-to-one coaching. It encourages pairings to build strong and trusted coaching relationships, creating a continuous learning environment. Zak and Taybah were paired together on the programme and I worked with them as Zak's mentor.

Zak, I wonder if you could share some highlights of being on the Connected Development Programme?

Zak Coleman
Definitely Steve, so one of the highlights for me was my development, both technically and professionally. Part of the programme meant that I was paired one-to-one with Taybah, which meant that we were able to build a great rapport, and having that rapport meant that we were able to work very closely, and I was able to learn at such a great pace, and I was able to get a deep understanding of the work that I was working on as a result of continuous coaching from Taybah.

Steve Linnegar
It's really clear the positive impact it's had on your development. And Taybah, what was the experience like for you?

Taybah Patel
I really enjoyed being on the programme, and being paired with Zak for a consistent period of time meant that I was able to identify areas where he had already been coached, versus areas where he needed further coaching. This meant that I was able to assist him in providing quality audit work on the engagement. In this Zak was able to support me on more complex areas of testing as well.

Steve Linnegar
That's great. And Zak, we obviously got to spend some time together in my role as your mentor. Could you share some experience of what that was like?

Zak Coleman
Yeah, definitely Steve. So, you know, I learned a lot through our interactions, and it was great to understand more about the firm overall and to sort of learn what an actual audit partner does at the firm. But that wasn't the main highlight to me. The main highlight to me was one that I definitely didn't expect, and that was from a social mobility aspect. You know, growing up, I didn't know a single person who worked in a professional occupation. I didn't know anybody who went to university other than my teachers and before joining PwC I spent four years working for London Underground where the way of working was very different. Through our interactions, I was able to see how you were engaging with stakeholders, how you were communicating with them, and it's something that I really learned a lot from, and it's something that I'm going to take with me throughout my journey in the firm.

Steve Linnegar
Thank you for sharing, and thank you both for sharing your thoughts today.