Careers at Bentley Motors

Tell us about your role and how long you’ve been at Bentley.

I have been at Bentley for four years this summer. I work in IT, the majority of my work is done supporting Sales & Marketing, Aftersales, and the Dealer Network.

How did you get started in archery, and what’s been your biggest achievement so far (besides representing Team GB)?

I started archery in February 2024 as a potential replacement for my running. I’ve spent the past 16 years running marathons and half marathons and felt that, as I approach 50, I needed to give my legs a bit of a rest. Archery is a sport I’d always wanted to try, so I joined a beginner’s course and took to it right away.

Not long after, I was introduced to a ‘new sport’ called run archery, which is similar to biathlon but with archery instead of skiing. Shooting takes place over 18 metres, and archers carry the bow either in their hands or in a harness while running. After a few test events, I entered the 2024 European Run Archery Championships in Sherwood Forest under the banner and support of Team GB, finishing 51st in Europe and 10th in GB.

Since then, the sport has really taken off in the UK. This year we’ve had the first UK Run Archery Series, which included five events around the country and an overall final on 4 October. During the series, I won a bronze medal in the Masters Sprint race and a silver medal in the Masters 4k race. It felt really special, and I was incredibly proud of myself. I have also won my Archery Club monthly shooting trophy three times over the past 12 months – this is for traditional archery!

How does it feel to be selected to represent Team GB?

I’ve been absolutely blown away. It’s a feeling I can’t really describe. I actually found out the day after I got back from a holiday, so the holiday blues had kicked in. The first person I told was my youngest son; he was incredibly excited for me and, although he hasn’t said it out loud, I know he’s proud of his old dad. I’m really looking forward to being amongst the best in Europe and testing myself at the highest level in the sport right now.

What's the preparation like for a championship of this level, and what challenges have you faced?

An event of this nature takes a lot of preparation because it’s a multi-discipline sport. I have to keep fit enough to compete from a running point of view, so I still enter and compete in half marathons; my next one is on 7 September. I also have to make sure my archery technique, skills, and muscle memory are all kept sharp.

A typical training week starts on Saturday with a long run, usually 15–18 kilometres with my running club. On Sunday mornings I have a strength and speed conditioning gym session, followed by club archery shooting in the afternoon. Tuesday evenings are for quality run sessions, such as intervals, and Thursday evenings I’ll do a solo run of between 5–10 kilometres.

There are challenges, of course; my family and social life are impacted by the time I need to commit to training, so it’s a balancing act.

Have you found any connection between your work at Bentley and your passion for archery?

I have - there are a couple of people at Bentley who also take part in archery or run marathons, and a lot of my colleagues have been really interested in following my journey. It’s a real comfort to know they’re there.

What are your ambitions for the future in the sport?

Archery GB are currently bidding for run archery to become an Olympic event. It would be amazing to qualify for the team again at that level.

Eric’s story shows how trying something new can lead to incredible achievements, no matter your age or background. From marathon running to an international run archery debut, his journey is proof that passion and persistence can take you further than you imagine.