Vertu Motors Drives The Career Of Leeds Degree Apprentice
A young automotive retail professional from Leeds is set to race ahead in his career after completing a degree-level apprenticeship, paid for by his employer, Vertu Motors plc.
Ellis Green, who works as a Divisional Aftersales Degree Apprentice at Vertu Jaguar Land Rover Leeds, has successfully graduated from Northumbria University with a BA Hons in Business Leadership and Management Practice and also received a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership, earning the prestigious title of CMI Chartered Manager.
Ellis, 21, began his journey with Vertu Motors after finishing his A-Levels. He said: “I have always enjoyed cars, so the chance to earn while learning and being around something I have enjoyed for a long time was more than ideal.”
Balancing work and study was challenging, but Ellis found it manageable with the right support. “It was very difficult but doable with the right support,” he explained. “The experience has been great for my development, and the learning of the whole business was invaluable.”
Ellis’ experience was enriched by attending Northumbria University: “Being able to travel up to Newcastle for university was a great experience. I got to visit Vertu head office and speak with managers who had completed the degree before me, which was really useful. And at uni, businesspeople would visit and let us ask them all kinds of questions, which meant we learnt more than just from lecturers, on different topics that give us an overall view of how businesses run.”
Among the highlights of his apprenticeship, Ellis recalls being involved in different Vertu dealerships to help give him a fuller understanding of different departments and processes: “It’s been a really thorough, hands-on experience. I’ve been able to be involved in different sites to help the business, such as Chesterfield, where I was able to help train a new starter as well as help build the business up.”
Looking ahead, Ellis is focused on continuing his career with Vertu: “I want to continue working in a role where there is space for progression. This degree apprenticeship gives you both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and I’ve enjoyed being able to apply my lessons in real life straight away, take my experience back to lectures and ask questions to help me improve. My ambition is to become one of the youngest managers within the group.”
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors plc, emphasised the importance of supporting degree apprentices like Ellis in building a future-ready business: “Our degree apprentices have shown remarkable dedication and effort over the past three and a half years. By investing in their development, we are not only supporting their individual growth but also ensuring that Vertu is equipped with skilled and innovative leaders for the future. Ellis’s exceptional growth and initiative are prime examples of how our commitment to nurturing talent is preparing us for the challenges and opportunities ahead. I am excited to see him and his peers thrive and drive our business forward.”
Five other degree-level apprentices graduated in the same cohort as Ellis:
- Sophie Wollaston, HR Team at Vertu Motors head office in Gateshead
- Raeece Hussain, Vertu Honda Bradford
- Charlotte Sinacola, Bristol Street Motors Mansfield Hyundai
- Josh King, Vertu BMW & MINI Durham
- Abigail Monks, Bristol Street Motors Skoda Darlington