idhl, the connected agency group, has welcomed 14 new starters to its biggest ever graduate training programme, which will be run from its Harrogate, Leeds and Manchester offices.
The 12-month specialist digital development programme for graduates was originally launched in February 2021 in the Paid Media team, with the goal of attracting new talent and investing in the training and development
of entry level candidates.
However, it has been so successful – with all alumni still employed in the team – that it has now been opened up to include other areas of the business.
This year’s graduates will undergo training and get first-hand agency experience in other digital marketing service specialisms such as Technical SEO, Copywriting and Digital PR as well as Web Development and Design.
They will also each have a dedicated and experienced mentor for day-to-day queries, be involved in regular structured development sessions, gain relevant certifications and accreditations, and have the chance for progression into a permanent role upon completion of the programme.
This new programme attracted over 1,000 applications from students at universities across the UK, and the 14 successful candidates were selected following attendance at open days, interviews, and one-on-one career discussions with team hiring managers.
During the open days, which took place at IDHL’s Leeds office, the candidates saw presentations from key internal stakeholders including Head of People, Ben Turner, and WMG Joint Managing Director, Ian Lloyd, who has been with the business for over 14 years and has himself worked up to senior management level.
Graduate Training Manager, Giacomo Palmieri, who launched and ran the initial programme in the Paid Media team alongside idhl Head of Operations, Sophie Dalglish said: “I am proud to see this graduate scheme grow, with our successes and learnings in Paid laying solid foundation for the wider teams.
When we started this programme, we had just one graduate candidate in place at a time, but this year we’ll have four people in Paid Media alone, and a further 10 across other areas of the business. It’s so great to see.
Our six alumni have become key to the day-to-day running of our team, and one has recently been promoted to Senior Executive.”
Ben Turner, People Director of idhl, added: “This is the first year that the idhl group has delivered a graduate programme of this scale. It is important to us that we invest in our future workforce to support not only our
growth, but the development of the next generation of digital marketing enthusiasts.”
The 14 graduates started their idhl group journey in late July, coming together initially for a three-day immersion and team-building event at The Queens Hotel, Leeds.
As well as getting to know each other and the business better, they were also involved in building bikes for
the Children’s Literacy Trust who are currently working closely with Ukrainian families who have fled their country and often have very few possessions.
The 2022 idhl graduate scheme candidates are (A-Z):
- Adithya Ramesan, who initially joins Pinpoint’s team of web developers, having graduated from Hatfield University with an MA in Computer Science
- Duncan Porritt who initially joins NetConstruct’s team of web developers, having graduated from Huddersfield University with a BSc in Computer Science
- Fay Thompson, who initially joins NetConstruct as a UX Designer, having graduated from Leeds University with a BSc in Computer Science
- Finn Clark, who initially joins WMG’s Account Management team, having graduated from Lancaster University with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering
- Francesca Round, who initially joins NetConstruct’s Account Management team, having graduated from Durham University with a BA in Business and Management
- Henry Wu who initially joins WMG’s New Business team, having graduated from Leicester University with a BA in Sociology
- Jack Dobbings, who initially joins WMG’s Paid team, having graduated from Northumbria University with a BA in Business and Financial Management
- James Adlington, who initially joins WMG’s Technical SEO team, having graduated from York University with a BA in History
- Joseph Hancock, who initially joins Pinpoint’s team of web developers, having graduated from Leeds University with a BSc in Computer Science
- Louis Allen, who initially joins WMG’s Paid team, having graduated from York University with an MSc in Global Marketing
- Luke Yeates, who initially joins WMG’s Paid team, having graduated from Northumbria University with a BA in Business with Economics
- Maria Ayala who initially joins WMG’s SEO team, having graduated from Liverpool University with a BA in Business Management
- Rebecca Jackson, who initially joins IDHL’s Group Marketing team, having graduated from Huddersfield University with a BA in Fashion Brand Marketing
- Robyn Dayes, who initially joins WMG’s Paid team, having graduated from Northumbria University with a BA in History and Politics
For more information, please visit: https://www.idhlgroup.com/graduate-track
