Estee visits the House of Lords for Apprenticeship celebration

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Thursday 12th June was a proud and exciting day for Warren, as our HR Director, Estee Ross was invited to attend the Apprenticeships Ambassador Network Celebration at the prestigious House of Lords in London.

The event, which had been postponed from 2024 due to the general election, finally took place on a beautiful sunny day in the capital. It was a fitting setting to recognise the ongoing efforts of organisations like Warren that are actively promoting apprenticeships across Norfolk and beyond.

Estee said:

“It was such a special moment to be at the House of Lords – what a fantastic building! It’s actually much bigger than I imagined. I felt truly honoured to be there, representing Warren and all the work we’ve done to support apprenticeships in our region.”

Estee was invited by The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, who unfortunately had to send her apologies on the day, as she was required in the House of Commons. Nonetheless, the event was a great success, with guests from across the apprenticeship community coming together to share ideas and celebrate progress.

Estee was also able to catch up with Lisa Peter from Norfolk Apprenticeships, whose support has been invaluable over the past few years – especially in helping Warren benefit from Levy sharing arrangements with larger employers to support the cost of training.

One exciting announcement from the day was the confirmed date for the next National Apprenticeship Week:
9th–15th February 2026 – a key date for the diary as Warren continues to champion skills development and opportunity through apprenticeships.

Congratulations to Estee on being recognised at such a significant event – and thank you for continuing to fly the flag for apprenticeships and future talent at Warren.

Wishing Colin Browne a happy retirement

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On 31st May, we said goodbye to a much-valued colleague and friend as Colin Browne officially retired from Warren.

Colin’s relationship with Warren goes back much further than his time as a team member. Our Founder and Owner, Richard Bridgman had known Colin for many years through his leadership at Allaway Acoustics, a company just round the corner from Warren. Over the years, the two businesses worked closely together, developing a strong and trusted partnership – with Colin playing a major role in that relationship.

During his time at Allaway, Colin helped grow the company significantly, both in size and turnover, becoming a respected figure in the local manufacturing community.

When Allaway went through a restructure, it came as a surprise to many – including Colin – that he found himself without a role. But Colin wasn’t ready to take life easy just yet. Looking for a less demanding position, and keen to stay active, he joined Warren’s Paint Department, focusing primarily on Powder Coating.

His transition from business leader to hands-on team member showed the same commitment and work ethic he had always demonstrated. He quickly became a reliable and well-liked member of the Warren team.

Colin had hoped to return after a recent operation, working reduced hours as a way to ease into retirement. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go to plan, and Colin made the decision to retire completely.

While we’re sad to see him go, we are incredibly grateful for the time he spent with us, and for the energy, knowledge and dedication he brought to the business.

Richard Bridgman shared a few words:

“Colin has been a great supporter and friend of Warren for many years. It was a pleasure to have him with us during the final phase of his career, and I want to personally thank him for everything he’s contributed – both as a client and colleague. We wish him the very best for a happy and well-earned retirement.”

Thank you Colin, for your hard work, your good humour and the legacy you leave behind. Enjoy your retirement – you’ve truly earned it.

Apprenticeship success for Wiktoria!

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Congratulations to Wiktoria, who has officially passed her Level 2 Welder Apprenticeship – and not just passed, but achieved a Merit, the highest possible grade for her course!

This is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for both Wiktoria and the entire team at Warren.

Wiktoria was among the first four apprentices to train on site at Swarm REAGIT. It’s never easy being first, but Wiktoria rose to the challenge with resilience, determination and a real passion for engineering.

The team at Swarm REAGIT shared the good news with a celebratory LinkedIn post – see screenshot below.

Wiktoria’s success reflects not only her hard work and commitment, but also the strength of the apprenticeship programme we’re proud to be part of here at Warren. She is now well-positioned to begin the next chapter of her engineering career.

We’re especially proud to see more young women like Wiktoria stepping into technical roles and excelling. Her achievement is an inspiration to others and a reminder of the opportunities available in modern manufacturing.

Well done, Wiktoria – we’re all incredibly proud of you and here’s to a future filled with sparks, skills and continued success!

Warren hosts Make UK East of England Advisory Board meeting

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In March, Warren was proud to host the latest meeting of the Make UK East of England Advisory Board – bringing together representatives from manufacturing and engineering companies across the region.

The event was well attended, with businesses of all sizes joining us at our premises for an afternoon of discussion, collaboration and knowledge sharing. As long-standing members of Make UK – dating back to our days in Feltwell when it was known as the EEF, we value the opportunity to stay connected with the wider industry and help shape its future.

These advisory board meetings take place several times a year and serve as a forum for member companies to discuss a broad range of industry matters. Topics on the agenda typically include current business challenges, investment plans, wages, training, health and safety and available grants.

It’s a valuable opportunity to share insights, learn from each other’s experiences and explore how regional and national trends are affecting businesses across the sector.

As is tradition at these meetings, the host company gives a short presentation to introduce their business to the group. We were pleased to share our story with fellow members – from our early beginnings to our growth, our commitment to apprenticeships and training and our ongoing investment in people and technology.

Following the meeting, attendees were invited on a guided tour of our facilities to get a closer look at how we work and see our operations in action.

We’re always glad to play an active role in the regional manufacturing community, and hosting the Make UK Advisory Board meeting was a great opportunity to strengthen those ties. Our thanks to all who attended and contributed to the discussion – we look forward to seeing everyone again at the next meeting.

Skills for success – Warren takes a stand on training and apprenticeships

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We at Warren have long recognised a challenge that continues to impact our industry – the national shortage of skills across all areas of manufacturing and engineering. While there’s no shortage of meetings, reports and initiatives set up to tackle the issue, lasting change still feels frustratingly slow.

Recently, Make UK and the Government launched a new Skills Commission, bringing together influential voices from education, manufacturing and Parliament, including Lords, policy makers and senior figures in industry. While the creation of another commission might raise a few eyebrows, we took the opportunity to make our voice heard in a different way.

Not another survey…

Rather than simply ticking boxes on the Commission’s initial survey, we decided to take a more direct approach. We told our story. We shared how Warren began, how we built our apprenticeship programme from the ground up and what we’ve learned – the successes, the challenges, and the reality of training in a fast-changing industry.

This honest, first-hand account was shared with members of the Commission and made its way into the right hands.

Warren welcomes the Commission

As a result, on 13th March we were proud to welcome a delegation from the Industrial Strategy Skills Commission to Warren. The visit was led by the Chair of the Commission, the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, who spent time learning about our approach to skills and training.

He and the team met with both current and former apprentices, gaining valuable insight into the practical realities of developing talent in the manufacturing sector. It was a great opportunity for open dialogue and we’re proud to say, they were very impressed with what they saw and heard.

We also took the opportunity to recommend a visit to West Suffolk College – our long-standing training partner, so they could see the full picture of how local collaboration plays a vital role in delivering real training outcomes.

A mention in Westminster

Following the visit, Warren was invited to attend the official presentation of the Commission’s final report at Make UK headquarters in Westminster on 1st April. The report is a weighty one, but we were pleased to see Warren mentioned several times throughout the document, a real acknowledgement of the work we’ve put in over the years.

Will things change?

So, will this Commission lead to real change? We remain cautiously sceptical. Too often, these initiatives generate discussion but little action. But one thing’s certain, Warren will continue doing what we’ve always done: investing in people, developing skills, and creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers.

We’ll keep doing our bit. And we’re proud to share our story, if it helps inspire others to do the same.

MTC Event in Coventry: Insights, Debate, and Exciting Opportunities

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Earlier this month, our Managing Director, Will Bridgman and Founder Owner, Richard Bridgman headed to the MTC (Manufacturing Technologies Centre) in Coventry for a major industry event. The trip followed a late night in Cambridge, entertaining potential clients with exciting project opportunities for Warren. The previous day had also been packed with activity, as Will followed up on defence sector contacts in Norwich, culminating in a meeting with the Defence Minister – a key step in Warren’s growing involvement in the sector.

What is the MTC?

The MTC provides transformative manufacturing advice to businesses across the UK, helping to drive innovation, efficiency and sustainability in the industry. The event brought together manufacturers from across the country, providing valuable networking opportunities and discussions on the future of UK manufacturing.

Will Bridgman on the Sustainability Panel

Will was invited to take part in a panel discussion in the auditorium, covering sustainability in manufacturing—a subject that is becoming increasingly critical to businesses and policymakers alike. The panel featured Henrik Von Scheel, a highly respected thought leader in the field, as the keynote speaker.

A heated debate on renewable energy

One of the memorable moments of the day came when Will and Henrik clashed on the topic of solar panels and wind energy. The debate became quite intense, with strong words exchanged as both defended their perspectives. However, after a lively discussion Henrik ultimately conceded to Will’s points – a testament to Will’s deep knowledge and passion for the topic.

The discussions continued into the evening at the event’s formal dinner. Richard found himself seated next to Henrik and despite the earlier debate, they managed to get along well. Will wisely, was seated at another table – probably for the best after such an energetic exchange!

The MTC event was a fantastic opportunity for Warren to engage with industry leaders, explore new ideas and strengthen our presence in the manufacturing and defence sectors. Events like these are essential in helping us stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainability – and of course, in ensuring that our voice is heard in the wider industry conversations.

We’re looking forward to turning these connections into opportunities and continuing to push boundaries in sustainable and high-tech manufacturing.

Welcome to the Team: Ella Joins Warren’s Quality Department

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At Warren, we are always excited to welcome new talent to our team and this February, we were pleased to have Ella Cade join our quality department as a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice.

A new career journey

Ella has made an exciting career transition, moving from a role as a teaching assistant in a local primary school to pursuing an apprenticeship in business administration. This change reflects her eagerness to develop new skills and gain valuable experience in a manufacturing and engineering environment.

As part of the quality department, Ella will play an important role in ensuring that Warren’s high standards are maintained across all aspects of our work. Business administration is a key function in manufacturing, supporting operations, compliance and efficiency – so we are thrilled to have Ella on board as she embarks on this journey.

Getting to know Ella

Outside of work, Ella enjoys spending time at home with her cat and making memories with family. Her passion for organisation and dedication to learning make her a fantastic addition to the Warren team.

We are delighted to support Ella through her apprenticeship, helping her develop her skills and progress in her career. We look forward to seeing her grow in her role and make a valuable contribution to the team.

Welcome to Warren, Ella!

Opening Doors to Future Talent: Warren’s Apprenticeship Open Evening

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We are passionate about investing in the next generation of engineers and manufacturers. As part of National Apprenticeship Week in February, we hosted our annual Apprenticeship Open Evening, offering potential apprentices and their parents/carers the opportunity to learn more about our exciting apprenticeship programme.

Engaging with future engineers

The evening provided an invaluable chance to connect with parents and carers, helping them understand what an apprenticeship at Warren involves. We know that choosing an apprenticeship is a big decision and having the support of family can make a huge difference in a young person’s career journey.

Will led a guided tour of our Brickfields Way facility, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the kind of work we do and the opportunities available to apprentices. Throughout the evening, we answered questions about career progression, training and the hands-on experience apprentices can expect at Warren.

The recruitment process is underway

Following the event, we have already begun work placements as part of our recruitment process. These placements offer candidates a real insight into working life at Warren, allowing them to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for a career in engineering and manufacturing.

Additional placements will be taking place over the Easter holidays and we will be making our final selection by the start of May.

Apprenticeships at Warren: September 2025 intake

Once again, we are recruiting four Level 2 Engineering Operative apprentices, who will start their apprenticeships in September 2025. These apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop specialist skills and kick-start a rewarding career in engineering.

We are committed to supporting and training the next generation of skilled engineers, ensuring they have the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in the industry.

It was fantastic to meet so many enthusiastic young people and supportive parents at our Apprenticeship Open Evening. We look forward to welcoming our next cohort of apprentices later this year and seeing them develop into skilled professionals within our team.

Supporting Local Talent: Warren Attends Norfolk Apprenticeships Network Meeting

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At Warren, we are always looking for ways to support and invest in future talent, so attending the Norfolk Apprenticeships Network Meeting on Wednesday, 26th February was a great opportunity to connect with other local employers and discuss the latest apprenticeship initiatives.

Meeting at Able2B – Supporting Inclusivity Through Physical Activity

The meeting was held at Able2B in Norwich, an inspiring organisation dedicated to supporting children and adults with disabilities through physical activity. Able2B runs group classes and one-to-one sessions to help improve fitness levels, build self-confidence and promote inclusion. Their work aligns with our values of providing opportunities for people to develop and thrive, regardless of background or ability.

Norfolk Apprenticeships: A Positive Growth Story

One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the fantastic rise in apprenticeship starts across Norfolk. Compared to a national increase of just 1.32%, Norfolk has seen a remarkable 11% rise – a testament to the dedication of local businesses, training providers  and young professionals eager to gain industry skills.

At Warren, we are proud to contribute to this growth by providing hands-on training, mentorship  and career development opportunities for apprentices. Skilled workers are the backbone of the manufacturing and engineering sectors  and we believe in nurturing the next generation of talent.

Connecting with Local Employers

The meeting also provided a great platform for networking with other local businesses that employ apprentices, exchanging ideas and identifying opportunities to collaborate on initiatives that could enhance training and employment prospects in the region. Engaging with these networks ensures that Warren stays at the forefront of workforce development, helping us attract skilled and motivated individuals to our team.

We are excited about the positive momentum in apprenticeships across Norfolk and look forward to exploring how Warren can continue to support and grow opportunities for young people in engineering and manufacturing.

If you’re interested in an apprenticeship or career at Warren, keep an eye on our website for opportunities – or get in touch to learn more!

Welcoming our first Level 3 Business Administration apprentices

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Over the past six months, Warren has welcomed three Level 3 Business Administration apprentices – a first for our company. All three apprentices are studying with West Suffolk College and have taken on key roles across different departments:

  • Natalia: Quoting
  • Ludmila: Purchasing
  • Ella: Quality

These apprenticeships mark an exciting new chapter for Warren as we continue to diversify and expand our training programmes.

We are proud to currently have nine learners actively engaged in their apprenticeship programmes, with plans to recruit four more apprentices in September.

We look forward to supporting Natalia, Ludmila, and Ella as they progress through their apprenticeships and contribute to the ongoing success of our business.