It’s taken hard work and dedication but this Stockton dad is celebrating career success.

Working in finance has been the dream for Leroy Lawson since moving to the UK four years ago. But with language a barrier, the former accountant had to restart his career from scratch.

Turning to Stockton Riverside College, he embarked on an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course, which proved the stepping stone he needed.

“That really made a difference,” said the 45-year-old from Togo. “The language barrier is very limiting and that was really stressful.”

With Mina his first language and also speaking French, Leroy, who had previously studied economics and management at university, had learnt just a little English at school.

But working hard to master the language, he was soon able to take Accountancy courses alongside the ESOL classes.

Of his time at the college, he said: “Every single teacher that I worked with has helped shape me.”

Add to that his own determination to succeed and now Leroy gone on to secure a job as a payroll and finance assistant.

Previously working as a cleaner and a kitchen porter in Stockton, the dad-of-three, who is now studying his AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting Level 4 alongside the day job, said: “You can imagine how happy I am as a person. This was my ambition because I worked in accountancy in Togo.”

To have worked his way back into his former profession, he said: “I feel extremely happy. I feel like a blessed person in the world.”