Numbers are adding up for awards finalist Tom

14th September 2016

It's all adding up for a Wickersley maths whizz who is forging a successful career in retail Tom Bloom is down to the final ten for a national award.

The 23-year-old is hoping he won't divide the judges in the People 1st Apprentice of the Year category at the Retail Week Rising Stars Awards, one of the most anticipated events on the retail calendar, where bosses gather to celebrate the industry's future talent. Former Winterhill School pupil Tom is gunning for victory but already feels like a winner Although he once dreamed of being an accountant; he's in his dream career. He changed direction aged 16 when he landed a few hours a week with Debenhams at Meadowhall. Realising retail work used more of his talents, he went to work for the store while studying for his A Levels. But after two years he got the chance to combine his customer service skills with his head for numbers when the store opened a Travel Money centre. At 23, he is now a regional co-ordinator for Debenhams' Travel Money outlets. Tom got his lucky career break the day the service launched in store in 2014. -My colleague decided against the job, I stepped into the breach and made sure everything went to plan, he says. -When life presents you with an opportunity like that, you have to rise to it. He was rapidly promoted and relishes the responsibility. -My love of accountancy is paying off, he says. -It is part of my job to ensure Travel Money outlets are compliant with financial regulations and prepared for audits. Throughout his career with Debenhams Tom has received work-based learning tuition from The Source Skills Academy at Meadowhall. He has gained a customer service level 2 qualification and is well on his way to a level 3 in retail. Tom's work-based learning tutor at The Source, Ashley Thompson, commented: -I'm delighted Tom is in the final of the prestigious Rising Stars Awards. He is a very determined young man who has gone that extra mile and grabbed the opportunities presented to him. From when I first met him, he strived for the career he wanted in retail and has been a joy to tutor. The Rising Stars Awards run in association with Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis and for the past 12 years have been a platform for retail chiefs to provide recognition to emerging talent in their businesses. The final is in London on September 27.