Sophie Norris Part 2

Welcome back to the second half of this Canny Conversation, with our guest Sophie Norris, the Early Careers Manager at Bentley Motors, the iconic luxury car maker based in Crewe.

In this episode, Sophie shares insights into her own career journey from studying events management in Manchester to her current role managing Bentley's early careers programs. Safaraz and Sophie go on to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Bentley as the business embarks on its 'Beyond 100' strategy to become an end-to-end carbon neutral organization by 2030.

The conversation also touches on Bentley's deep roots in the local Crewe community, the disappointment over the cancellation of the HS2 rail link. Sophies small team of 3 will manage 150 new trainees, next year across apprenticeships, industrial placements, and graduates. She also offers valuable advice to those considering careers at Bentley and talks about the crucial role of volunteering and getting outside your comfort zone. Safaraz and Sophie go on discuss the need to tailor applications, ask questions at interviews, research the business values, and demonstrate spark, curiosity, and purpose.