From Apprentice to CFO
For the latest instalment of our 5 Minutes With… series, we sat down with Ian Evans, Chief Financial Officer at Instep, to discuss his career journey, the apprenticeship that started it all, and why he believes resilience, curiosity and continuous learning matter just as much as technical skills.
Twenty-six years ago, Ian wasn’t planning a career in finance. In fact, he had just started a degree in Physics at university before realising it wasn’t the right path for him. A chance conversation and some advice from his father led him towards an accountancy apprenticeship instead, setting him on a career journey that would eventually lead to the boardroom.
A Different Route Into Finance
After leaving university just a few weeks into his course, Ian began an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) apprenticeship with Cheshire County Council. At the time, apprenticeships looked quite different from today’s programmes, but the core benefit remains the same.
“It’s a bit of a cliché now, but you learn while you earn,” Ian explains. “You get practical experience alongside your qualification, and that gives you a foundation that I don’t think I would have got from spending three years at university and then entering the workplace afterwards.”
During his seven years at the council, Ian worked across five different roles, gaining hands-on experience in everything from credit control to treasury management. Alongside technical accounting knowledge, he learned the workplace skills that would shape his future career.
“You learn the people skills, the social skills and the etiquette of being in work. You learn how organisations operate and how to work with different teams, managers and personalities.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
One of the themes that emerged throughout our conversation was the value of practical experience.
For Ian, the apprenticeship route offered more than just qualifications. It provided immediate opportunities to apply what he was learning in real-world situations, helping complex financial concepts make sense much faster.
The experience also created opportunities to explore different areas of finance. Rather than staying within the boundaries of a single role, Ian actively sought out opportunities to learn from colleagues in other departments.
“I wanted to experience what treasury management was like, so I built relationships with people in that team and learned from them. When an opportunity came up later, those relationships opened doors.”
That willingness to step outside his immediate responsibilities would become a recurring theme throughout his career.
Resilience, Opportunity and Being Ready
Ian’s journey to becoming CFO wasn’t mapped out from day one.
After leaving local government, he moved into banking before the financial crisis of 2008 led to redundancy. While it was a challenging period, it ultimately became a turning point.
Rather than seeing redundancy as a setback, Ian embraced the opportunity to take a six-month sabbatical in China while his wife worked overseas. On returning to the UK, he joined an employability organisation where he spent the next 11 years progressing through a variety of increasingly senior finance roles.
Looking back, Ian believes resilience played a crucial role in his development.
“One door closes and another opens,” he says. “You have to be ready to take advantage when opportunities come along.”
He also credits mentors and leaders who provided guidance throughout his career, alongside his own willingness to keep learning.
“I think you have to be open to learning, not just the technical aspects of the qualification but how to operate in a workplace. Be open to feedback, learn from mistakes and learn from the people around you.”
Why Apprenticeships Still Matter
Today, as CFO at Instep, Ian sees apprenticeships from both sides of the table.
Having started his own career as an apprentice, he understands the personal impact they can have. As a senior leader, he also sees the commercial value they deliver for organisations.
His answer is exactly what you’d expect from a CFO.
“Retention and loyalty,” he says. “It’s more cost-effective to retain good people than lose them and recruit replacements. When organisations invest in their people, they develop loyalty and create stronger teams.”
For Ian, workforce development isn’t simply about filling skills gaps. It’s about creating opportunities for people to grow, while helping organisations retain talent and build capability from within.
The Foundation of a Career
Reflecting on the last 26 years, Ian is clear about the role his apprenticeship played in shaping his career.
“The apprenticeship was the foundation, the cornerstone of my career,” he says. “It gave me the technical skills, but it also gave me the people skills, the workplace experience and the opportunity to learn by doing.”
His final message is one that will resonate with anyone considering an apprenticeship today.
Many people worry that choosing an apprenticeship means limiting their future options. Ian’s experience tells a very different story.
From local government and banking to employability services and apprenticeship training, his career has crossed multiple sectors, industries and leadership roles.
“The key takeaway is to be open to continuous learning, be open to experiences and keep developing yourself through them.”
And for anyone wondering whether an apprenticeship can lead to senior leadership, Ian’s journey from apprentice to CFO provides a pretty compelling answer.
