Ashford’s young professionals have got together for a fun sport networking event on the padel court.
The latest Ashford Developing Professionals (ADP) event took place at Square One Padel & Social Club, Kent’s first indoor padel centre, on the town’s Brookfield Industrial Estate.
One of the organisers was Marshall Smith, a senior in the Accounts and Business Advisory department of the Ashford office within UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets..
He said: “It was a brilliant evening and fantastic to see such a great mix of professionals come together from the likes of Azets, Hallett & Co, Girlings Solicitors, Barclays, Thanet Earth and Saga plc.
For most of us, it was our very first time stepping onto a padel court; however, thanks to expert guidance from Square One Padel specialists, we were rallying in no time. Safe to say, what started as curiosity quickly turned into a surprisingly addictive new hobby for many of us.
“These events are all about making networking feel natural, by bringing developing professionals together in a relaxed, social setting while championing local businesses – and our padel event was a perfect example.”
The ADP network was launched around 20 years ago with the assistance of Azets’ Ashford office managing partner Katie Hodson as one of the co-founders.
It is a networking group targeted at professionals from trainees to manager level working in the Ashford and Weald area.
Katie said: “The network was a big part of my early career development and helped me build my skills, confidence and contacts – and I’m still in touch and working with many people I met through it today. I’m delighted it’s thriving two decades on and that Marshall is driving it forward with new energy, ideas, and events like the padel tournament.”
The group aims to provide an opportunity for its members to network at an early stage in their careers so as to allow them to build relationships and develop their own networks in an informal setting.
Current members include the likes of Barclays, Girlings Solicitors, Hallett & Co Solicitors and Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs Financial Services.
Networking events are organised quarterly and have involved bowling, drinks, escape rooms and pantomime shows.
Padel is a fast-paced, solid racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, typically played in doubles on an enclosed, smaller glass-and-mesh court with walls in play.
Marshall added: “It's been so rewarding to see this network grow from strength to strength and we can’t wait for the next event.
Anyone wishing to join should contact Marshall through the Ashford Developing Professionals LinkedIn page.
Azets’ Ashford office, at Dover Place in the town’s Commercial Quarter, houses a team with extensive experience in all areas of business and personal accounting and tax advice.
Working with a diverse range of businesses and specialising in working with rural, education, academies and property and construction businesses, the team’s key priority is providing excellent client service and assisting clients with business growth.
In Kent, Azets has offices in Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Sandwich and Sidcup, with the Ashford office providing services in audit and assurance, tax, business and advisory, corporate finance, restructuring and recovery, forensic accounting, human resources, and financial management.
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