Armstrong Watson promotes Audit and Assurance Director in Cumbria

Armstrong Watson has made a key promotion in its senior management team in Cumbria as one of the firm’s former accounting trainees has risen through the ranks to the role of director.

Lauren Graham joined Armstrong Watson as a 24-year-old trainee in 2013 and has now been promoted to Audit and Assurance Director.

Her promotion comes as the firm marks National Apprenticeship Week 2024, celebrating the considerable difference its apprentices and trainees make to the business.

Initially joining the firm’s Hexham office, Lauren completed her AAT apprenticeship and went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant, gaining her ACA in 2018, before taking on managerial roles in 2020.

Lauren, who is now based at James Watson House in Carlisle, has expertise in audit, risk management and quality assurance, working with companies, charities and academies, and has been involved in some of Armstrong Watson’s most complex and challenging audit engagements. She has also shown great leadership and mentoring skills, supporting and training the audit team.

As an Audit and Assurance Director, she will take on a portfolio as a relationship Director and will continue to be part of the leadership team in Cumbria, as well as enhancing the firm’s audit quality and reputation in the market, continuing to grow the audit business and market share.

Lauren has recently been appointed to join the Board of Trustees for Austin Friers School in Carlisle and has been on the Board of Trustees at Carlisle Youth Zone for the past three years. As a trustee and dedicated fundraiser of Carlisle Youth Zone, Lauren is running the London Marathon in April followed by Switzerland’s gruelling Eiger 50k trail run in July. She has previously completed the Great North Run to fundraise for the youth zone as she is passionate about the vital work it does to help young people in Carlisle and the surrounding areas. Meanwhile she and has also competed in the Lakeland 50 two years in a row, making the podium finish both years as 3^rd female. 

Commenting on her promotion Lauren said: “I thoroughly enjoy working for Armstrong Watson and I am incredibly proud of our audit and assurance team and all that we achieve. We have seen significant growth in Cumbria and the team has worked hard to deliver for our new and existing clients. We continue to invest in our team to support this growth, and with more in the pipeline I’m excited for what’s to come in my new role.”

Joanna Gray, Head of Audit and Assurance said: “Recognising and nurturing the talent we currently have within the firm is integral to our growth, and Lauren has shown this in abundance. She has achieved remarkable results and has contributed significantly to the success and growth of Armstrong Watson. Her promotion is well-deserved and reflects her hard work, dedication and professionalism. We are confident that she will excel in her new role and bring more value and innovation to our firm and our clients."