Twelve Apprentices Celebrate Mentorship Success with Industry Leaders
Twelve apprentices marked the culmination of a year-long mentorship program with senior leaders from Balfour Beatty and its supply chain through the Founder’s Pledge, at a graduation ceremony this week.
The event, hosted by Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty’s Group Chief Executive and Founder of The 5% Club, was attended by The Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills. Held at the Institution of Civil Engineers, the celebration highlighted the apprentices’ achievements and reflected on their personal and professional growth.
Launched in March 2023 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of The 5% Club, the Founder’s Pledge was designed to address the nearly 50% apprenticeship dropout rate in the UK. Each apprentice received £1,000 from Leo Quinn and was paired with a senior leader for tailored mentorship, focusing on career advice, skills development, and building resilience to overcome early career challenges.
The apprentices, along with their mentors, families, and company leaders, celebrated their progress and shared their experiences:
- Anthony Jordan (Groundworker Apprentice), mentored by Tim O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Danny Sullivan Group
- Michael Kinnane (Service Engineer Apprentice), mentored by Charlotte Bennett, People Director of Sunbelt
- Rupert Forster (Laboratory Apprentice), mentored by Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty
- Jasdeep Singh (Accountancy Apprentice), mentored by Sat Nijjer, Chief Executive Officer of Fortel
- Millie Hopkins (Business Administration Apprentice), mentored by Brusk Korkmaz, Chief Executive Officer of Hercules
- Callum King (Mineral Products Technician Apprentice), mentored by Gary Brennand, General Manager of Aggregate Industries
- Chloe Jones (Construction Plant Operations Apprentice), mentored by Patrick Flannery, Managing Director of Flannery Plant Hire
- Malcolm Masi-Manyusa (Commercial Apprentice), mentored by Bevan Browne, Managing Director of Tarmac
- Harry Wooldridge (Plant Operator Apprentice), mentored by Merrill Lynch, Joint Managing Director of L Lynch
- Billy Mingard (Rail Engineer Apprentice), mentored by Dan Evans, Chief Executive of Speedy Services
- Lucy Cole (Business Administration Apprentice), mentored by Paul Raby, Group HR Director of Balfour Beatty
- Bethany Newton (Commercial Apprentice), mentored by Louise McCulloch, Group Communications Director of Balfour Beatty
Leo Quinn, speaking on the significance of mentorship, stated:
“The construction industry is experiencing an era of growth, and bridging the skills gap is critical. The Founder’s Pledge demonstrates how mentorship can develop the workforce of tomorrow while supporting young professionals in building successful, lifelong careers.”
Baroness Jacqui Smith, commending the program, said:
“Mentorship programs like the Founder’s Pledge are vital to apprenticeship success. Congratulations to the graduates and thanks to the mentors for their dedication to nurturing new talent.”
Patrick Flannery, mentor to Chloe Jones, remarked:
“Supporting Chloe throughout her journey has been rewarding and has given us valuable insights into how we can better support apprentices to maximize their potential.”
Rupert Forster, mentored by Leo Quinn, shared his perspective:
“This program provided not just skills and advice, but practical tools to navigate early career challenges. The tailored guidance has been invaluable and will continue to shape my career.”
In addition to their mentorship, the apprentices participated in regular training sessions throughout the year. They will further benefit from career development training with Balfour Beatty’s HR team in January 2025, ensuring continued support as they progress in their professional journeys.
