Last week, Mujahid Khan — known to everyone at WDS as Muj — attended the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards as a finalist for Professional Services Apprentice of the Year. It was a first for the firm: the first time a WDS apprentice has ever been nominated for a regional award, put forward by his training provider Kirklees College in recognition of exceptional progress.
Muj didn’t take home the trophy on the night — but in every meaningful sense, the nomination tells its own story.
Meet Muj
Muj is based at our Bradford office, where he has been part of the team for almost three years. His day-to-day work spans accounts preparation, VAT returns, tax returns, and audit support — a broad mix that reflects both his capability and his appetite to get involved wherever he can. Away from the office, he’s rarely without a flat cap, has a passion for tinkering with cars, and helps out in the family business.
When we asked how it felt to be nominated, his answer was characteristically understated: “It felt amazing to be recognised for all my hard work — I never expected to be nominated for an award. The awards evening itself was a shared joy. Celebrating together, win or lose, strengthens the validation and appreciation of all that hard work.”
The progress behind the nomination
The nomination didn’t come from nowhere. Emma King, Muj’s line manager at Bradford, has seen every step of that journey — and she puts it better than we could:
“Muj started at Walter Dawson as a very quiet young man, and over the past few years his progress and development have been extraordinary to watch. He has gone from being apprehensive about dealing with incoming client calls to actively picking up the phone, helping answer queries, and confidently reaching out to clients himself.
Muj is always open to learning new things, and there have been many occasions where he has not only volunteered to take something on, but actively sought out opportunities to develop. He initially started by preparing VAT returns that were passed to him, but has since taken ownership of these jobs at his own suggestion and has even taken on a small portfolio of clients himself.
Not content with the fantastic work he already does, Muj has recently started looking through my calendar and asking to join client meetings. In one recent meeting, he contributed confidently and quickly built a great rapport with the client. I was genuinely impressed with how naturally he handled the meeting, especially compared to the quiet person who joined Walter Dawson only a handful of years ago.
Muj has become an integral part of our Bradford team and someone I know we can rely on. I’m incredibly proud of the progress he has made so far and I’m really looking forward to seeing him continue to develop throughout his accountancy career.“
His tutor was equally positive: “Mujahid is an A* apprentice. He is a pleasure to have in class — friendly, always with a smile on his face, and highly motivated. He is totally dedicated and committed to his studies, has passed all his exams first time with excellent results, and will go far in his accounting career.”*
For Richard Hall, Director at WDS, the nomination carries particular significance: “WDS has trained apprentices for many years, but this is the first time we have had a student nominated for the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards. The nomination is a true reflection of Muj’s dedication and determination to be successful in his chosen career. Muj quietly gets on with his work while taking the opportunity to experience and learn about as many different aspects of accounting and tax as possible through his apprenticeship training.”
What the apprenticeship route has given him
We asked Muj to reflect on what the last three years have actually taught him. His answer went beyond technical skills.
“Learning how to interact with senior colleagues and clients has been really important. During my apprenticeship I’ve had a massive boost in confidence — learning how best to present myself to others as an embodiment of my values.”
It’s the kind of growth that a classroom doesn’t always produce — and it goes to the heart of why WDS invests in apprenticeships. Muj put it well when we asked what he’d say to someone weighing up the apprenticeship route:
“I would always recommend an apprenticeship. You learn a lot of things that cannot be taught in a classroom, and on-the-job experience in an apprenticeship can be applied directly to the studying — which reinforces the learning. It’s one of the best ways to gain relevant experience.”
Why apprenticeships matter to WDS
At Walter Dawson & Son, we’ve long believed that some of the best accountants are built, not found. Apprenticeships allow us to bring talented, motivated people into the profession — and shape them in an environment where genuine client work, real responsibility, and structured learning sit alongside one another from day one.
The professional services sector is not short of bright graduates. But the qualities that make an exceptional accountant — sound judgement, client confidence, the willingness to put your hand up and take ownership — are developed through experience. That’s what an apprenticeship delivers. And Muj’s journey is a clear example of it.
We’re proud to support the next generation coming through our industry, and proud to see that commitment recognised at a regional level. For a firm established in 1886, that sense of continuity — of bringing new talent into a profession we care about — matters as much today as it ever has.
What’s next for Muj?
When we asked where he sees himself heading, the answer was straightforward and ambitious in equal measure: “I see myself as a qualified chartered accountant, ready to take on a higher management role within my sector.”
On the evidence of the last three years, we wouldn’t bet against him.
