Sussex-Based Talent Celebrated At Prestigious Hendy Group Apprentice Event

Hendy Group, one of the UK’s leading independent family motor retail groups and home to five Sussex-based dealerships, has celebrated the achievements of one local young service apprentice who completed their Hendy apprenticeships and officially graduated at its annual Apprentice Day celebrations.

The business, which marks its 165th anniversary in 2024, held its apprentice event in the fine surroundings of the Beaulieu Motor Museum.

Sussex local, Hayden Edwards, was among 15 Hendy apprentices to graduate this year.

The 2024 cohort included a new generation of service technicians, sales and marketing executives and business administrators for the business.

This year, the theme for the Hendy Apprentice Day was ‘adaptability and fresh thinking’ – key contributors to Hendy’s 165-year success – and how apprentices can engender new approaches to work that help businesses adapt and thrive.

A number of Hendy’s Senior Leadership Team started their careers as apprentices, Pete Walker, Director of Service and Bodyshop at Hendy Group, said:

“Starting as an apprentice was the best career move, I ever made. It allowed me to develop on the job and learn from those around me.

"I was proud to get technical expertise so early on and experience many roles in my career.

"I took every opportunity I could and began working towards management roles which was a different challenge, but I was supported by those around me.

“I hope our apprentices take every opportunity available to them and can look back on this time with positivity, knowing that they enjoyed a great experience with us and most importantly, are proud in the investment they are making in a career in the industry.”.

Apprentices were joined by Operations Board Directors and Brand Ambassador, former GB sprinter Iwan Thomas MBE, for an action-packed day full of inspiring talks, group discussions, and adventure.

Launch of Apprentice Ambassador programme

At Hendy’s annual event, Chief Executive Paul Hendy announced the launch of a new Apprentice Ambassador programme that will encourage more people into automotive careers and use input from apprentices to help create a world-class career pathway.  

Existing and newly graduated Hendy apprentices applied to become Apprentice Ambassadors, with seven announced at Hendy’s Apprentice Day.

Successful candidates were those who have exhibited adaptability throughout their training and are confident to voice an alternative way of thinking for the benefit of the wider team. 

The new Apprentice Ambassador programme is a collaboration between Hendy’s People Team and the Association of Apprentices.

Together they will support the new ambassadors to increase engagement with the wider Hendy apprentice population and act on their behalf to optimise the apprentice experience.

By empowering young people to fulfil their career aspirations, ambassadors can help to further establish Hendy as an employer of choice, particularly with early careers. 

Sarah Martyn, Director of People and Organisational Development at Hendy Group, said:

“A number of the leadership team at Hendy began as apprentices, and encouraging more young people to consider a career in automotive is now a key part of our Hendy culture.

"The launch of our Apprentice Ambassador role is one way Hendy can make a positive change while building a talent pipeline for the future.  

“The Group welcomes the fresh insight that apprentices bring to our business, and the Apprentice Day is one of many ways we can encourage them to share ideas about how we can adapt in the future.

"Being able to adjust to the changing circumstances around you is crucial to success both personally and professionally; that might mean challenging your own thinking, adapting to a new team dynamic, or accommodating a wider business strategy.” 

For further information about Hendy’s apprenticeship programme, contact: [email protected].