Billy Wright

17 January 2022
Business Support Manager

Meet Billy, a Business Support Manager at our Basildon site who joined Leonardo as an apprentice in 2014, and is now undertaking a degree apprenticeship alongside his current role.

What made you choose an apprenticeship as a career route?

Like a lot of people, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I left school, so I just ended up doing A-levels in subjects that I enjoyed. I picked up a part-time job whilst studying for these, and it offered some initial progression, so I went full-time when I completed my studies. After a few years, I found the job unfulfilling and started looking for a new challenge. I was still unsure on exactly what it was I wanted to do, but I knew I needed something with variety.

I first learnt about apprenticeships after attending some careers fairs, and the way in which Leonardo apprenticeships are structured to provide a variety of placements, where you can gain experience all around the business, was something that appealed to me. It also allowed me to gain further qualifications in an industry I hadn’t previously considered.  

What are the interesting projects you worked on during your apprenticeship?

I don’t think I have a standout project; I worked on many projects throughout my apprenticeship, all of which were so different. The most interesting activity I got involved in was a customer demonstration of some of our thermal imaging cameras at the head office of our Electronics business in Rome. It was fairly short notice, so we ended up having to drive the equipment to Italy and set up for the demo on the site in Tiburtina, which was certainly an experience! 

My current role, as Business Support Manager, again provides a level of exposure to the wider business and allows me to see how it operates at a strategic level. In this role, I work closely with the Senior Leadership Team for our Integrated Sensors and Protection (ISP) Line of Business, and help support various initiatives and projects. Whilst not directly involved in the delivery of our projects and programmes, I’m able to see how they operate, and how the Business Areas and Functions work together.

What is your day-to-day role like, has it changed much due to the pandemic? 

I started my current role just under two years ago, right at the start of the pandemic, so in that respect I don’t know any different. By the very nature of business support, the work is extremely varied and much of what I’m involved in changes day-to-day. 

The role itself has changed considerably over this period though. Because I work closely with each of the function leads, I was asked to lead the newly formed Administration team in April 2021. This was an introduction to line management for me and, whilst it’s been a huge learning curve, it’s one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. 

What was the best thing about your apprenticeship, did anything surprised you?

For me, it was the opportunity to work in all areas of the business. Not only did this allow to me understand what I enjoyed the most, it also gave me a much broader understanding of how everything works together. This means that whichever role you end up in, you’re able to take a more considered approach in your work, ensuring the process as a whole is as efficient as it can be; not just your part. As well as this, it allows you to build a network of relationships from across the business which are invaluable as you progress.

I think what surprised me the most was the level of engagement from everyone around the business. From the people you work with day-to-day, to the Senior Leadership Team, everyone values the apprenticeship schemes and they all find the time to support and engage with the apprentices. I think this may, in part, be due to their own experiences as apprentices; over half the ISP Senior Leadership Team have come through apprenticeships – including my line manager, Senior Vice President, Wayne Clifton [pictured, right].

What have been your biggest achievements at Leonardo so far?

I think with regards to my apprenticeship, it would be achieving the Leonardo award for UK Electronics Apprentice of the Year. Whilst there’s many things I’m proud of, for me this was recognition of all of those things combined, and it’s something I’m really proud of looking back. 

For my time at Leonardo as a whole, it would be my appointment as Business Support Manager. Having the opportunity to work alongside Wayne and the ISP Senior Leadership Team has taught me so much. The knowledge I’ve gained from the exposure to the wider business is something I’ll take forward in my career, whichever direction it takes! 

Would you recommend an apprenticeship to people looking to make a first step in their career?

Without a doubt. The opportunities my apprenticeship gave me has kick-started a career I would never have imagined when I applied for the scheme back in 2014. I wouldn’t consider myself an academic, and the traditional means of studying and exams really isn’t something that appeals to me. Having the opportunity to gain the knowledge whilst applying them to real world situations is, for me, so much more valuable. 

The way in which apprenticeships are viewed nowadays has changed dramatically too. I think organisations really see the benefits of learning on the job and coaching people into the organisation. As I said, what surprised me initially was the level of engagement from all levels of management within Leonardo, and how seriously they take the development of their apprentices. Since completing my initial apprenticeship in 2018, I’ve had the opportunity to undertake another; this time at degree level and more alongside my work, rather than being the sole focus that my work is planned around.