NATHAN'S APPRENTICESHIP STORY
We asked Nathan Kapp, Senior Finance Manager at Bentley about his experience as an apprentice and his journey at Bentley...
My Bentley journey officially started in September 2009 as I came to the end of my A-Level studies, deep down I wanted to start my career rather than going to university; I saw on the Bentley Careers website the opportunity to join as an apprentice and this ticked all the boxes for me, I was luckily enough to join as one of our Commercial Apprentices within Finance.
For me this was one of the best decisions I ever made, from my first day everyone was welcoming and helped and supported me on my journey, there is a family feel here. I initially did a 3 year apprenticeship covering most departments in Finance from Credit Control; Accounts Payable; Manufacturing Finance; Sales & Marketing Finance and also Project Finance, I continued my studies and completed the qualification AAT at South Cheshire College. Bentley also offered me the chance of an overseas placement during this time which was an amazing experience in Ingolstadt, Germany at Audi’s headquarters.
Once my apprenticeship ended I joined the Engineering Finance team for the next 3 years, in this time I continued my education and became a fully qualified chartered accountant through CIMA. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, I got experience controlling spend for R&D departments Powertrain and then later Body & Trim; from monthly and annual forecasts to creating a ten year finance plan for the departments. In 2016 the next opportunity was presented to me and I returned to Manufacturing Finance where I did a placement as an apprentice.
I’ve been in this department for 8 years now, this may sound a long time in one department but I have covered many roles within the team, I have grown as person, presenting to the Board; influencing key stakeholders of the business; driving change; process optimisation whilst at the same time growing as a person.
From a career development point of view I’m now a Senior Finance Manager and the Manufacturing Finance lead for our future battery electric vehicles, I’m now influencing, steering and negotiating with our Group brands the transfer price for our platform Bodies whilst driving the Dream Factory here at Crewe; it’s crazy to look back at the person I was when I started, who was nervous to even speak to people on the phone!
Bentley is unique in many ways, the people here at Crewe are at the heart of the company, many of whom have been with the company for 20 years+, there is a togetherness and a willingness to support one and other, I have to say no two days are the same and personally this is what makes it so special!