From one of the heaviest twin babies born in Scotland, to a stablehand on a horse ranch in Canada, the class of 2025 has arrived at the Edinburgh office of accountancy firm MHA.

The latest intake of graduates and students have taken up position at the firm’s St Colme Street offices. Eight have graduated from an array of degrees including accounting and finance, maths, civil engineering and even archaeology.

Issy Clarke, Fraser Wanstall, Murray Cooper, Josh Gardiner, Sean Miller, Katie Yorkston, Chloe Freeman and Bruno De La Pedraja Pérez join on graduate placements working towards their ICAS and CTA qualifications.

MHA has a long history of developing the next generation. Founded in 1869, the firm is a leading professional services provider of audit and assurance, tax, accountancy and advisory services, based in the UK with an international presence.

Across the UK, MHA has taken on 126 graduate and student placements this year. Applications have now opened for the 2026 intake.

Previously Geoghegans before becoming part of MHA in 2024, the office has taken on trainees for over 75 years, welcoming more than 200 trainees in that time.

Ben Sutherland, director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our latest intake of graduates here to MHA in Edinburgh. Developing the careers of those coming into this sector is hugely important and the varied backgrounds of our 2025 cohort show that there are so many routes into accountancy out-with the traditional.”

Fraser Wanstall (23) joined as an audit junior, having graduated from Heriot-Watt University in accounting and finance. However, it was numbers of a different kind Fraser was once better known for… after he and his sister were born in April 2002 – at that time believed to be among Scotland’s heaviest twins.

The record, while never made official, was recognised by Edinburgh Royal Infirmary staff who were surprised by the extreme weights of Fraser and his sister, Rebecca… a combined birth weight of 16lbs 2oz. Fraser was the first of the full-term siblings to arrive, born at 8lb 9oz, with Rebecca 45 minutes later at 7lb 9oz.

Meanwhile, Sean Miller (22) has his own interesting back story… joining MHA in accounts and advisory following on from a three-month stint working as a stablehand on a horse ranch in Canada. Sean studied Bsc Hons in mathematics at the University of Glasgow – in his hometown.

Murray Cooper (23), joined as an audit junior, from an accountancy and finance degree at Heriot Watt University.  He grew up near Gullane and worked in the golf operations team at The Renaissance Club.

Josh Gardiner (23) graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in ancient history and archaeology. Originally from West Linton, ABAS (accounts and business advisory services) junior Josh has enjoyed jobs as a head lifeguard, a lab technician and a waiter.

Fellow audit junior Issy Clarke (24) is originally from Ilkley in Yorkshire and studied history and politics at the University of York. As well as working as a crew trainer at McDonald’s, Issy spent the winter season as a ski instructor in Canada.

Bruno De La Pedraja Pérez (23) is a junior tax associate having graduated with an MEng civil engineering degree at Heriot Watt, enjoying a year at its Malaysian campus. Originally from Santander in Spain, Bruno moved to Scotland at the age of 10 and attended Kirkcudbright Academy.

Katie Yorkston (22), an ABAS (accounts and business advisory services) junior, previously worked as a finance assistant for a manufacturing company. She achieved a Diploma of Higher Education in biological sciences and AAT Certificate of Accounting Level 6 and hails from East Lothian.

Chloe Freeman (21) joined as a personal tax junior. She studied law at the University of Manchester – her home city.

Elsewhere in Scotland, MHA has an office in Aberdeen’s Carden Place, where four new graduate and placements recruits have also joined the firm.

For more information on how to apply for MHA’s Class of 2026 graduate scheme, go to: https://www.mha.co.uk/careers/vacancies

NOTES TO EDITOR

About MHA

MHA is the UK member firm of Baker Tilly International, an AIM listed company, ranked the 13th largest accountancy group in the UK and Republic of Ireland, with a turnover of £224m (FYE25), over 2,300 staff, 150 partners and comprises of 30 offices across England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, South East Europe and the Cayman Islands.

MHA is an  independent member firm of Baker Tilly International, the world’s 8th largest global network of independently owned and managed accountancy and business advisory firms, with revenues of $7bn and 43,515 people operating across 143 territories.*

*Based on the 2024 IAB World Survey, adjusted for 2025 revenue rate.