A HORWICH-based firm has launched a new graduate programme in its latest growth phase.

Fluent Money Group, based at Rivington House, employs more than 350 people and is one of the UK’s fastest growing fintech firms.

It has recently launched a graduate scheme ‘Fluent Futures’ to provide a boost to young people whose career prospects have potentially been hit by the pandemic.

As part of a recruitment drive to fill over 70 new roles in the organisation, the company is now looking for talented graduates to join its new programme.

CEO Kevin Hindley said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for talented graduates keen to make their mark and launch their careers. We’ve been reaching out to university graduates at North West institutions as well as those who are returning to the area after completing their studies.

“We’re not looking for a background in finance, we’re more interested in the graduates who bring fresh enthusiasm, the right attitude and creativity to our workplace. This pandemic has hit the younger generation particularly hard and many are worried about their prospects, unsure how long it will take for the business community to return to previous levels of recruitment.

“Our business has done well this year, despite the challenges, and we are keen to play a part in providing some great future opportunities for the right candidates.”

The Fluent Futures graduate scheme will involve a full induction, five weeks in the Fluent new starter Academy, supporting an introduction to the professional CeMAP accreditation, six weeks in the Sales Academy, before moving on to work as a qualified advisor.

Fluent Money Group’s breadth of services and support functions mean that, once completing a CeMAP qualification, graduates will be in a position to decide which area they would like to specialise in - from being a specialist mortgage broker, to bridging finance or a compliance guru.

Against the backdrop of Covid, the business has seen a 53 per cent year-on-year increase in its lending volumes versus 2019.This equates to more than £1bn in its annualised lending run rate since July 2020.