Will Bridgman announced as Chair of EEIN

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We’re proud to share some fantastic news from the Warren Services team – our Managing Director, Will Bridgman, has been appointed as Chair of the EAL Engineering Industry Network (EEIN).

Will’s appointment is a reflection of his longstanding commitment to training, apprenticeships and education in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. His passion for developing the next generation of talent is well known across Norfolk, and he has been a driving force behind many local initiatives to support learners and close skills gaps.

As Chair of EEIN, Will will continue to strengthen partnerships between industry and education. He actively collaborates with schools and colleges to help shape learning experiences that are meaningful, relevant, and aligned with real-world needs. Whether it’s inviting students into our facilities to see engineering in action, or helping shape sector-wide qualifications, Will is focused on making a difference.

His mission is clear: to ensure qualifications are not only fit for purpose but also empower learners to succeed in their chosen career paths.

Congratulations, Will. We know you’ll bring your energy, insight and leadership to the role, and we’re excited to see the positive impact this will bring to our industry and community.

Warren ladies enjoy an afternoon out in Norwich

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In April, a group of the Warren ladies headed out to Norwich for a well-earned afternoon of great food, drinks, and even better company.

Once we’d done a quick headcount, we were delighted to find there are now 20 women working at Warren – a fantastic number and a real shift compared to years gone by. It was lovely to see so many of us able to come together outside of work, especially with colleagues we may not usually cross paths with day to day.

The team enjoyed a relaxed afternoon at Mr Postles, where good conversation flowed just as easily as the drinks. It was a brilliant opportunity to unwind, catch up and share a few laughs away from the workplace.

A big thank you to everyone who joined – here’s to more afternoons like this in the future!

Lighting the Warren Beacon in tribute

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At 9:30pm on Thursday 8th May, we gathered at the Fison Way roundabout to take part in a nationwide moment of reflection. The Warren Beacon was lit as part of a coordinated tribute across the UK, joining hundreds of other beacons shining brightly in towns and communities across the country.

It was a fantastic fire – a striking and symbolic display, and our thanks go to Scott Fraser for organising the event and lighting the beacon on the night.

These commemorative moments are always moving, and this one was no different. As the beacon burned, we stood alongside others from our local area, quietly taking a moment to reflect on times passed and the significance of the occasion.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made the evening so memorable. It was a simple yet powerful reminder of the strength we find in coming together – something that holds true both in our community and in our company.

Celebrating 35 years with some high-speed fun

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On Sunday 11th May, our Founder and Owner, Richard, had a fantastic idea. To mark our 35th birthday as a company, he wanted to treat the whole team to a day out – and what better way to celebrate than with a bit of friendly competition on the go-kart track!

We didn’t expect the sign-up to be quite so popular, but we were thrilled when an incredible 43 team members joined in, making this the largest turnout we’ve ever had for a company sporting event.

Teams of three were selected at random, which brought plenty of laughs (and a little bit of healthy grumbling!). Over 1.5 hours of driving time, our teams battled it out under the blazing sun – it was an exceptionally hot day, but that didn’t dampen the competitive spirit.

Our overall team winners were Karol and Harry – yes, a team of two managed to beat the rest! And the fastest lap of the day went to Dan Barnard, who arrived fully kitted out in his own racing suit and helmet – we had a feeling he’d be one to watch.

It was brilliant to see so many of our colleagues come together for such a fun and energetic day. A huge thank you to everyone who took part – your team spirit and enthusiasm were exactly what this celebration was all about.

We captured lots of great moments on camera – scroll down to see a few of our favourite shots from the day.

Here’s to 35 years – and many more to come!

Happy 35th birthday to Warren!

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May 2025 marks a truly special milestone for everyone at Warren – we’re officially 35 years old! What began in a small garage has grown into a thriving manufacturing and engineering company with over 120 employees and two state-of-the-art sites in Thetford.

From our early days in 1990, when founders Richard and Sharon moved the business into one half of an old village school in Feltwell, we’ve been focused on growth, innovation and investing in people. Fast forward to today and we’re proud to be a forward-thinking, family-run company still driven by those same values – with a rich history of developing talent, expanding capabilities and leading the way in engineering excellence.

You can read more about our journey on our History page, but for now we’d like to take a moment to celebrate what we’ve achieved – and what better way to do that than with a bit of fun and food!

To mark our 35th birthday, we’re kicking off the celebrations with a company Go-Karting trip!

50 team members have already signed up and we’re sure it’s going to be a great day out filled with friendly competition, fast corners and lots of laughs.

Then on Monday 12th May, we’ll be continuing the celebrations back at Warren HQ with some tasty treats for everyone to enjoy.

As part of our celebration, we want to shine a light on someone who’s been part of Warren from the very beginning: Paul Green. Paul has been with us since day one (a remarkable 35 years) and his loyalty, skill and commitment have been a huge part of Warren’s success. Thank you, Paul, for all the years you’ve dedicated to the business.

From pioneering computerised invoicing in the early ’90s to achieving multi-million-pound turnover, expanding our facilities and being recognised with national awards for talent development and sustainability, Warren has always been about looking forward. And while we’re proud of the last 35 years, we’re even more excited for the next 35.

To everyone who has contributed to our story (past and present), thank you. Here’s to more innovation, more growth and many more reasons to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, Warren!

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.

Warren attends national AAN meeting at The Oval

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Warren are proud supporters of apprenticeships and the value they bring to individuals, businesses and the wider engineering and manufacturing industry. That’s why we’re actively involved in the Apprentice Ambassador Network (AAN) – a community of employers, training providers and apprentices who champion apprenticeships across the country.

Recently, Estee Ross, our HR Director attended the AAN’s national meeting, held at the iconic Oval cricket ground in London. While Estee regularly joins the local and online meetings, this was her first time attending one of the network’s national events and it did not disappoint.

A day of ideas, inspiration and advocacy

The day brought together a diverse mix of people, all united by a shared belief in the power of apprenticeships. From employers and training providers to apprentices themselves, it was inspiring to connect with others who are passionate about creating opportunities and shaping future talent.

The programme featured a range of speakers and workshops, with the keynote speech delivered by The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills. Her insight into the future of vocational learning and the government’s commitment to skills-based education set a positive tone for the day.

A fitting venue for a national conversation

The event was hosted at The Oval – a venue Estee hadn’t visited before, but one that left her with a lasting impression. With its history, atmosphere and stunning views of the pitch, it made for a fantastic setting to discuss something as future-focused as apprenticeship development.

Looking ahead

The day was both insightful and motivating, reinforcing the importance of the work we do in supporting apprentices at Warren. We came away with new ideas, fresh perspectives and a renewed commitment to investing in skills and training.

We’re already looking forward to the next national meeting – and continuing to play our part in shaping the next generation of engineering talent.

Honouring VE Day with a Warren-made beacon

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On Thursday 8th May at 9:30pm, Warren will proudly mark VE Day by lighting the beacon located on the roundabout.

This annual moment of reflection gives us all a chance to pause, remember and pay tribute to those who lived, fought and died during the Second World War. Lighting the beacon is a symbolic gesture of remembrance and unity, and we’re honoured to be part of this tradition once again.

In true Warren style, there’s also a touch of mystery involved. It seems Father Christmas is still in the beacon (yes, really!) and no one quite knows how he got there. Perhaps he’s keeping watch until the big night!

The VE Day Tribute

As we light the beacon, we’ll also be sharing this powerful tribute to those who served, supported and sacrificed:

The Tribute

Let us remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad, whose sacrifice enables us to all enjoy the peace we have today.

Let us remember those who came home, wounded, physically and mentally, and the friends and family who cared for them.

Let us remember those who returned to restore their relationships and rebuild their working and family lives after years of conflict and turmoil.

Let us remember the families that lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters and sweethearts.

Let us remember the servicemen and women of other nationalities and faiths from Commonwealth and allied countries who fought, suffered and died during six years of war.

Let us remember those in reserved occupations and the brave people who kept us safe on the home front – the doctors, nurses who cared for the wounded, the men and women who toiled in the fields, the fisherman who fished the seas, those who worked in the factories and the air-raid wardens, the police officers, firemen, ambulance drivers and the young people of the Scouts and Guides who played such a vital role in the war effort at home to.

God Save The King

 

A little bit country – and a whole lot of fun!

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At Warren, we’re always proud to celebrate the talents and interests of our team, both in and out of the workplace. And on Friday 28th March, one of our own took centre stage for the debut gig of their country band, A Little Bit Country!

The venue was buzzing with energy as a great crowd gathered to enjoy an evening full of toe-tapping tunes, classic country hits, and plenty of good cheer. With low-priced drinks and some some good ole country dancing, it was a night to remember.

While the band delivered an authentic country sound, there was one humorous twist – the only American in the group was also the only one not wearing cowboy boots, a cowboy shirt or even a cowboy hat! It’s safe to say they’ve promised to correct that as soon as they find the nearest cowboy outfitters.

Missed it? You’ve got another chance!

If you couldn’t make it to the British Legion on the 28th, don’t worry, the band is already gearing up for their next performance. A Little Bit Country will be playing at the Elveden Inn Festival on 23rd May. If the last gig is anything to go by, it’s going to be another fantastic evening filled with great music and good vibes.

So polish up those dancing boots and save the date – we’ll see you there!