SOPHIE'S APPRENTICESHIP STORY
We asked our Product Strategy Degree Apprentice Sophie Reynolds to share her experience as an apprentice at Bentley Motors...
Apprenticeships: Product Strategy Degree Apprentice (year 3)
Sophie, you’re doing a degree apprenticeship in Product Strategy, what inspired you to make this decision and why did you choose Bentley Motors?
Choosing a degree apprenticeship in Product Strategy felt like the right path for me when I was leaving Sixth Form. University was often presented as the “gold standard,” but I was drawn to the idea of gaining a head start in my career by being part of real projects, contributing to meaningful work, and earning recognition in ways that the traditional academic route couldn’t offer.
Bentley Motors stood out as the perfect place to do that. The automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation through electrification, and I saw Bentley as a front‑row seat to that change. The brand’s blend of luxury, heritage, made it an exciting environment to learn how market shifts influence strategy. I wanted to understand how customer expectations shape business direction, and Bentley offered the ideal setting to explore that dynamic in depth.
What does a typical week look like for you in your Product Strategy role at Bentley?
A typical week really varies depending on the team I’m supporting, which is one of the things I enjoy most about project management. There’s a strong focus on stakeholder collaboration, so I’m often presenting updates or ideas, gathering feedback, and delivering change in operational areas of the business. No two days feel the same. My role also offers a lot of flexibility. Alongside my day job, I have time to get involved in early careers initiatives, focus on my own development, connect with colleagues, and take part in brand or outreach events. It creates a balance that keeps the job truly rewarding.
Alongside working with my team, I have made the most of undergoing placements around the business. Working closely with my manager, I’ve been able to rotate across the business, each placement has given me a different lens on how Bentley functions, and the suppliers and customers of key activities.
Across these rotations, I’ve delivered a seven-figure cost avoidance project within the product lines, helping to futureproof supply chains and protect the craftsmanship that defines Bentley’s identity. I’ve also supported a board member directly, responding to fast paced, ad hoc requests that offered real insight into top level decision making. Alongside this, I’ve pitched sustainable luxury initiatives in the bespoke Mulliner division and led the delivery of strategic target setting and major conferencing within Manufacturing Strategy. Each experience has deepened my understanding of how different departments align to Bentley’s long-term goals, and how their key activities affect each other.
One of the highlights was creating the opportunity to spend a month with Porsche Motorsport in Germany, where I delivered a strategic roadmap for the future focus of their racing series. It was an incredible chance to see how another world‑class brand approaches data, performance, innovation, and long‑term planning, and it broadened my perspective on the wider Volkswagen Group.
Alongside all this amazing work you are doing how do you manage the balance of university work?
I expected balancing work and university to be far more challenging than it’s turned out to be. As part of the apprenticeship, 20% of my working hours are dedicated to university study, which for me means spending one day a week attending online lectures, with occasional in person teaching throughout the year. Most of my assignments and exam preparation fit naturally into that dedicated study day, but Bentley has always been incredibly supportive whenever university demands increase.
For those worried about missing out on the traditional university experience, how have you found building friendships, community, and student life as an apprentice?
There are really two sides to the social experience as an apprentice. At work, we have a social network that organises everything from paintballing and go-karting to pub trips and a summer ball. Ultimately, it’s what you make of it - but everyone naturally forms friendships with the people around them.
Then there’s the university side. On top of our study day every week, we visit campus around once a quarter for 2-3 days for in-person teaching. My university also offers a summer school where all year groups attend from the Project Management course for lectures, activities, and challenges. During this time, we get to experience the student nights out, the shared downtime, and the wider student community. The company also covers food and accommodation, which makes it easy to enjoy that part of the experience without the usual financial pressure.
Have there been any opportunities or experiences outside your core role that you didn’t expect to have so early in your career? We’ve spotted you’ve received some amazing awards during your apprenticeship?
I’ve had opportunities far beyond what I expected so early in my career. I’m part of the working team for our gender‑equality network, BeInspired, where I support outreach activities for both the network and the wider Bentley brand. I also help deliver campaigns throughout the year, including initiatives like International Women in Engineering Day.
I was also selected to join the Sustainable Excellence working team, where four major projects are underway to improve sustainability behind the scenes of the business such as travel‑to‑work initiatives.
On top of that, the Early Careers team constantly opens doors to new experiences. I’ve taken part in internal masterclasses led by subject‑matter experts and even had the chance to visit Parliament to represent our apprenticeship programmes. These experiences have added so much depth to my development and given me exposure I never expected so early on.
Achieving my awards, such as the MAKE UK National Business Apprentice Rising Star, South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Apprentice of the Year and being a Autocar Driver of Change and an AutoCar Great Woman, has been one of the proudest parts of my apprenticeship. My sponsors have encouraged me to step into applications and interviews that pushed me outside my comfort zone, which has strengthened my public‑speaking skills and helped me articulate my achievements more clearly. It’s also given me a better sense of what I want to develop next in my career.
Bentley has played a huge role in making this possible. I’ve been trusted to lead projects right up to board level and to measure their impact in a way that really demonstrates their value. Combined with the extracurricular opportunities available and the emphasis the Early Careers team places on being an ambassador, I’ve had the support and visibility needed to grow quickly and confidently.
With everything you’ve been involved with how would you describe the culture at Bentley and the support you’ve received from your team and managers?
One of the things that stands out most about Bentley’s culture is the sheer variety across the business. Every team has its own style, personality, and way of working, which means each placement gives you a new perspective. As you move around the organisation, you naturally start to understand what environments you thrive in, all while building a strong cross‑functional network.
Across Early Careers, the level of support is exceptional. Peers, colleagues, managers, and senior leaders are all genuinely willing to share their experiences, offer advice, and give constructive feedback when things don’t go perfectly. I’ve had conversations with people at every level - from new starters to the CEO - and each interaction has been open, encouraging, and grounded in a desire to help you grow. If there’s an opportunity to learn, there’s always someone ready to help you take it.
Looking ahead, how do you feel this apprenticeship is shaping you for your future career, both professionally and personally?
I can already see how this apprenticeship is shaping me for the future in ways I didn’t fully expect at the start. Professionally, the exposure I’ve had has given me a level of confidence, responsibility, and strategic awareness that takes years to build. I’ve learned how different parts of the business connect, how decisions are made, and how to deliver work that genuinely moves things forward.
It’s also given me the space to figure out, in a relatively short time, the direction I do and don’t want my career to take. Experiencing so many different teams and responsibilities has helped me understand where I thrive, what motivates me, and what I want to pursue next.
On a personal level, the experience has pushed me to grow just as much. I’ve become more self‑aware, more resilient, and far better at communicating what I bring to the table. The mix of real‑world responsibility, academic learning, and the support network around me has helped me build a foundation that will carry me well beyond the apprenticeship itself.