Sophie Reynolds did not join Bentley Motors to observe from the sidelines. As a Business Apprentice, she has combined academic study with placements that have put her directly into major strategic work across the business.

Alongside her university studies, Sophie is known for taking a reflective and structured approach to her development, regularly assessing her progress and identifying gaps in her skills. That attitude has helped her establish a strong reputation across the organisation. 

She is widely regarded as an enthusiastic and dependable team member, and is often called upon to support others. As her manager notes, “people often forget that she is only an apprentice.”

Building Skills and Leadership

One of Sophie’s most significant contributions came through her involvement in Bentley’s manufacturing strategy conference, which brought together around 200 manufacturing leaders. 

Leading the project team, she helped translate the company’s manufacturing strategy into practical outcomes, supporting planning, risk management, content development, stakeholder engagement and progress tracking. The event was delivered successfully, with feedback reflecting the effectiveness of the overall programme. 

Delivering Impact on an International Stage

Sophie has also gained international experience through a placement with Porsche Motorsport in Stuttgart. There, she developed proposals for future motorsport strategy, assessing race series against criteria including cost, customer base, capability, capacity and feasibility. 

Using what she learned from her studies, she presented a pitch aligned with Porsche’s wider strategic objectives, with stakeholder feedback described as “exceptionally positive.”

Throughout her apprenticeship, Sophie has demonstrated how apprentices can contribute well beyond entry-level expectations. She is described as driven, collaborative and capable of balancing her own ambition with the needs of those around her.

National Apprenticeship Week recently highlighted the role apprentices play across UK manufacturing, Sophie’s experience shows how earning, learning and contributing in parallel can deliver real value, both for the individual and for the business.