The firm’s Reconnect is a 12-week paid programme that offers training, mentoring and coaching, whilst working on live client projects, and the opportunity of a permanent position on completion. Targeted at former managers and above, the 12 successful applicants will join the firm as the programme launches in September 2016 across the UK.

Jane Goldsmith, EY’s talent partner for Financial Services says: ‘There are professionals with rich experience and wisdom that have taken some time out, for whatever reason, and are ready to return to the workplace.

‘In our industry it is common to lose talent at manager and senior manager level. EY Reconnect offers a structured route back into the profession, whilst helping us to attract talented individuals with diverse perspectives that can add value to our people, our business and our clients.’

In week one, individuals taking part in the programme will be assigned a mentor and a line manager and inducted into the business. They will then be introduced to their respective teams across all service lines and begin to work on meaningful client projects.

During their time at EY they will have access to external and internal coaching, and the support of EY’s people networks including: EY Parents’ Network, EY Women’s Network, EY Black Network and the EY Disability Network, amongt others.

Anne-Marie Balfe, EY’s global talent leader in People Advisory Services says: ‘It is a commercial imperative for our business to recruit and retain the brightest and best people. EY Reconnect will help us to identify exceptional talent in the market, providing a supportive environment and a development opportunity for those who perhaps have been deterred from applying for roles.’