Warren represented at Make UK East of England Advisory Board

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Our Business Development Director, Sophie Hall, recently represented Warren at the Make UK East of England Regional Advisory Board, attending in place of Richard.

The Regional Advisory Board brings together manufacturing leaders from across the East of England to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, share experiences and consider the issues likely to contribute to its future.

Hosted by Toro U.K. Limited, the meeting included insights from Rt Hon Robert Halfon, Make UK’s Executive Director of Policy & External Affairs, who discussed the current economic and political landscape and what this could mean for UK manufacturers. Robert has a longstanding involvement in skills and apprenticeships, having previously served twice as Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills.

Another interesting part of the session was a discussion led by Gabrielle Crofts on the growing role of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and the opportunities it presents for improving performance and efficiency.

The meeting also looked at the latest industry policy developments, including the increasing focus on reindustrialisation and the future of UK manufacturing. These discussions come at a time when manufacturers continue to balance opportunities for investment and growth with pressures including energy, employment and input costs.

For Sophie, it was a valuable opportunity to hear different perspectives from across the sector, share ideas with other manufacturing leaders and gain further insight into some of the trends and developments that could affect businesses like Warren.

Being involved with Make UK’s regional network helps us stay connected with the wider manufacturing community and contribute our own experiences to discussions about the future of our industry.

Another apprenticeship success at Warren

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We’re delighted to celebrate another apprenticeship achievement at Warren, with Lud successfully completing her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Lud has been completing her qualification alongside her role within our Procurement team, putting what she has learned into practice while gaining valuable experience within the business. She has now officially received her pass certificate – a fantastic achievement and recognition of all the work she has put in.

Lud’s success also marks an important milestone for Warren, as all three of our recent Level 3 Business Administration apprentices have now successfully completed their qualifications.

Lud joins Ella and Natalia in achieving their Level 3 qualification, making it a triple success that we’re very proud to celebrate.

Apprenticeships have long been an important part of Warren. While engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships naturally play a major role in developing skills on our shop floor, we’re equally committed to creating opportunities for people to learn and progress within our office-based departments.

Seeing Lud, Ella and Natalia successfully complete their qualifications demonstrates the value apprenticeships can bring across all areas of the business.

We’re continually looking at how we can develop and expand our apprenticeship programme, giving people the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications, build practical experience and develop their careers with Warren.

A huge well done to Lud, Ella and Natalia. All three have become valued members of the Warren team, and we look forward to continuing to support them as they develop their skills, continue their studies and progress within the business.

Warren joins skills shortage panel at The Welding Institute

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On 7 July, Warren Founder and Owner Richard Bridgman was invited to join a special panel at TWI – The Welding Institute, discussing one of the biggest challenges facing engineering and manufacturing – the shortage of skilled workers, particularly within welding.

The event was a major occasion for TWI, attracting visitors from across the UK and overseas. Throughout the day there were trade stands, lectures, competitions and interactive sessions, alongside opportunities to see some of TWI’s facilities, workshops and latest developments first-hand.

With so much taking place, Richard said it was difficult to fit everything in, but the event was extremely well organised and provided plenty of opportunities to meet people from across the industry.

Among the guests were a number of high-profile dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, as well as HRH The Princess Royal, who arrived at the event by helicopter.

After lunch, it was Richard’s turn to take to the main stage for a panel discussion chaired by Professor Steven Jones from the University of Sheffield.

Richard was joined on the panel by Martyn Fletcher of BAE Systems and Dave Whitehouse of Altrad, representing two major international organisations within the aerospace, defence and industrial services sectors.

Richard commented:

“As you can see, it was quite daunting for me standing beside these guys!”

Despite the difference in scale between the organisations represented, the discussion highlighted a challenge they all share – finding, training and retaining the skilled people needed for the future.

Each panellist spoke about their organisation and their approaches to training and recruitment before Professor Jones raised questions that had emerged during the discussion. The session then opened up to questions from the audience.

For Warren, developing skills through apprenticeships, training and opportunities for people to build careers within engineering has been a longstanding priority. Being invited to contribute to a national discussion alongside some of the industry’s largest organisations was a valuable opportunity to share the perspective and experiences of an SME.

Reflecting on the experience, Richard summed it up simply:

“This was quite a day…”

Richard attends the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026

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On 1st July, Warren’s Founder and Owner, Richard Bridgman, attended the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026 at the Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster.

Richard was invited to the prestigious black-tie event as a guest of EAL (Excellence, Achievement & Learning), the organisation responsible for maintaining and promoting training standards across the engineering and manufacturing sectors throughout the UK.

Reflecting on the occasion, Richard said:

“It always feels strange to travel on the train in a dinner suit and bow tie!”

The evening celebrated the outstanding achievements of apprentices, employers and organisations that are helping to develop the future of engineering and manufacturing. Throughout the ceremony, awards were presented across a wide range of categories, recognising excellence in skills, training and workforce development.

As well as the presentations, the event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with industry leaders, training providers and business representatives from across the country. Richard enjoyed catching up with longstanding contacts, making new connections and hearing about the innovative work taking place throughout the sector.

Supporting apprenticeships and investing in skills development has always been a key part of Warren’s values, so it was inspiring to see so many individuals and businesses recognised for their commitment to nurturing future talent.

After an enjoyable evening of celebration and networking, Richard finally arrived home at 1.30am – bringing a memorable and very long day to a close.

Congratulations to all of this year’s Enginuity Skills Awards winners and finalists for their outstanding achievements.

Ella takes the next step in her career

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This week we were delighted to congratulate Ella on successfully completing her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Working within Warren’s Quality team, Ella has spent the past few years developing her knowledge and skills while gaining valuable experience in a busy manufacturing environment. Balancing work responsibilities with studying is never easy, but Ella has shown dedication and determination throughout her apprenticeship journey.

Achieving a qualification is always an important milestone, but for Ella it is also the beginning of the next chapter. Rather than stopping at Level 3, she has already committed to continuing her professional development and will begin a Level 4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship in September.

This next qualification will allow Ella to build on the experience she has already gained within the Quality team and further develop the specialist skills that are so important within modern manufacturing.

One of the great strengths of apprenticeships is that they provide a pathway for continuous learning and career progression. Ella’s journey is a great example of how apprentices can develop their knowledge, gain recognised qualifications and continue advancing their careers within the business.

We are proud to support Ella as she continues her development and look forward to seeing what she achieves next.

Congratulations, Ella, on completing your Level 3 qualification, and best of luck as you begin your Level 4 apprenticeship later this year.

Discussing opportunities for young people with Baroness Stedman-Scott

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Warren recently welcomed an important visit focused on one of the key challenges facing communities across the UK – helping young people move into education, employment and training.

The visit brought together our Managing Director, Will Bridgman, and our Founder Owner Richard Bridgman with Baroness Debbie Stedman-Scott and Julia Nix, Head of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for Norfolk and Suffolk.

Julia organised the visit, bringing Baroness Stedman-Scott to Norfolk to meet with organisations including Warren, Netmatters and Open Road in Thetford. Each organisation plays a role in supporting, training and developing young people, including those who may have faced challenges during their education.

A major topic of discussion was the growing number of young people aged 16 to 24 who are not currently in education, employment or training, often referred to as NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training). This remains a significant challenge across the country and one that requires collaboration between businesses, education providers and government organisations.

Richard commented that Baroness Stedman-Scott was a breath of fresh air, bringing a wealth of experience and practical ideas to the discussion. She was instrumental in introducing the highly successful Kickstart scheme and continues to champion innovative approaches to helping young people develop skills, gain confidence and access meaningful employment opportunities.

The visit generated valuable conversations and new ideas that could help address the challenges facing young people today. Several of these ideas have already been shared with others involved in training and workforce development.

At Warren, we remain committed to supporting apprenticeships, work experience placements and opportunities that help young people take their first steps into rewarding careers.

Watch this space as these discussions continue to develop.

Congratulations to Natalia on completing her apprenticeship

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Congratulations to Natalia on successfully completing her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

This week, we had the opportunity to personally congratulate Natalia on achieving this important milestone and officially becoming a qualified Business Administrator.

At Warren, apprentice success is always something worth celebrating. This can involve apprentices developing practical engineering skills on the shop floor, or building their careers within our office teams. We are committed to supporting them as they learn, grow and progress.

Throughout her apprenticeship, Natalia has balanced her studies alongside her role within the Enquiries team, demonstrating dedication, commitment and a strong willingness to learn. Completing an apprenticeship requires both hard work and perseverance, and Natalia should be extremely proud of what she has achieved.

Apprenticeships continue to play an important role in developing talent across Warren, helping individuals gain valuable qualifications while building real-world experience within the business.

Well done, Natalia, on this fantastic achievement. We look forward to seeing your continued success and celebrating many more apprentice accomplishments in the future.

Apprentices share their experiences

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To mark the end of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we invited some of our current and former apprentices to share their experiences of the apprenticeship route and how it has shaped their careers at Warren.

Their stories highlight the wide range of opportunities apprenticeships provide – from hands-on technical roles to business and administrative careers within the company.

Adam Wheatley – Production Director

“My first apprenticeship was with a different company where I gained a Level 3 in Automotive Repair and Diagnostics. I then joined Warren, completing a three-year General Engineering apprenticeship, followed by a Level 3 Installation Technician qualification and the 2391 Test and Inspection qualification.

“I wanted to learn whilst also having a job, so I would recommend the apprenticeship route as it gives a good mix of hands-on skills whilst gaining knowledge from people who have a wealth of experience.”

Estee Ross – HR Director

“I studied my apprenticeship in 2020 in Human Resource Management. The flexibility of an apprenticeship made it easier for me to study around my day-to-day role.

“I was already working in HR so I found the reports and projects easier to write because I had plenty of current examples that I could use as evidence. Study and work can be challenging at times but also very rewarding. Overall it was a fantastic experience that I would recommend to most.”

Jake Williams – Engineer

“I became an apprentice in 2011 after deciding that university wasn’t for me. I studied Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations and then Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering.

“During my apprenticeship my role was as a CNC machinist. I started by operating machines, then learned how to set them and eventually moved into programming. After completing my apprenticeship I progressed to become a Nightshift Supervisor, before moving back onto days where I now programme the majority of new work that comes in.”

Lud Vasiljeva – Administrative Assistant

“I’m currently an apprentice at Warren Services, completing a Business Administration Level 3 qualification within the Purchasing department.

“I get to study while also learning about engineering and earning a living. Warren provides good support for apprentices, which has made my experience very positive. I would recommend an apprenticeship because it helps you become more independent, build confidence and learn how a professional workplace operates.”

Apprenticeships continue to play an important role at Warren, helping us develop the next generation of skilled engineers and business professionals. By combining practical experience with formal learning, apprentices gain valuable knowledge while contributing to the success of the business.

Recognition at the Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards 2026

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We are delighted to share that our Managing Director, Will Bridgman was recently recognised at the Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards 2026 as a runner-up in the Mentor or Manager of the Year category.

The awards took place during National Apprenticeship Week 2026 and celebrate the achievements of apprentices, employers, mentors and advocates who help shape the future workforce across the county.

Reflecting on the nomination, Will said:
“I am grateful to have been named as one of the runners up in ‘Mentor or Manager of the Year’ at the Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards 2026. Despite not being able to attend the event, my father Richard Bridgman received the award on my behalf.”

Now in their fourth year, the Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards continue to highlight the inspiring stories of individuals and organisations who are committed to developing skills and supporting apprenticeships across the region. The event was once again sponsored by the East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and featured 12 categories recognising outstanding contributions across the apprenticeship community.

This year’s nominations showcased some truly inspiring achievements from businesses, mentors and apprentices throughout Norfolk.

At Warren, apprenticeships are an important part of how we build the future of our workforce. Supporting and mentoring the next generation of engineers and skilled professionals is something we are incredibly passionate about, and we are delighted to see this recognised.

Level 2 apprentices achieve qualification success

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Congratulations to Alfie and Reino on successfully completing their Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship.

This is a fantastic achievement and a proud milestone in their careers. Completing a Level 2 apprenticeship takes commitment, practical skill and a willingness to learn – qualities both Alfie and Reino have consistently demonstrated throughout their time with us.

We’re also delighted to confirm that both have been offered permanent roles within specific teams across the business. Their hard work has paid off and we’re pleased to see them continuing their journey at Warren.

Apprenticeships are an important part of how we develop talent and strengthen our workforce for the future. Supporting young engineers as they build their skills and confidence remains a key priority for us.

Well done lads! We look forward to seeing you continue to grow and succeed in your new roles.