Laura Wood wins North West Apprentice of the Year

Written by John Prydderch on May 30th 2024

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We’re thrilled to announce that Laura Wood, one of our Assistant Quantity Surveyors, has been named Made in the North West’s Apprentice of the Year for 2024! Laura won in a very strong category, which also featured fellow apprentice, Leon Barker-Williams. Importantly, she now qualifies for the Made in the UK national finals, which take place next month in Liverpool.

North West Apprentice of the Year

The judges said Laura stood out amongst great candidates, because she shows initiative and leadership. They recognised the big difference she makes to the efficiency of the whole company.

In her award submission, we wrote about how Laura was the youngest professional ever to complete an apprenticeship with Exyte Hargreaves. Moreover, she is also the first apprentice in Quantity Surveying in the company’s history.

Understanding Exyte Hargreaves

Laura’s progression within the business has been well served by her commitment to individual excellence and development. From an early age she learned the workings of the Exyte Hargreaves business. Travelling and lodging on some of our major projects (like Hinkley Point C and Keadby), gaining experience in our manufacturing facility and spending time in the office. Laura has an appreciation of our product and project lifecycle which is hard to match even amongst more senior colleagues.

Made in the UK finals

Insider Media’s Made in the North West Awards celebrates manufacturing excellence in the north west region. Above all, the event recognises traditional manufacturing, digital innovation and a wide variety of other sectors, including food and automotive. Exyte Hargreaves was also recognised in the digital, future talent and manufacturing innovation categories.

Following Laura’s success at Made in the North West, she goes through to the Made in the UK finals. The national ceremony takes place on Thursday 27 June at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. She will be up against apprentices from other UK regions including companies like Rolls Royce and Black & Decker. Everyone at Exyte Hargreaves wishes Laura the very best of luck at winning the National Apprentice of the Year prize.

"It was with immense pride on Thursday evening that I accompanied colleagues to celebrate Laura and Leon for being shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year - North West, for the Made in the North West Awards, and it was fabulous that Laura won on the evening. Both Laura and Leon were Covid Apprentices, learning and working in difficult times, demonstrating maturity above their years and delivering excellent results in both work and studies; being recognised within the Northwest for their achievements is testament to their dedication and passion."

Jane Gregory

Office Manager / L&D Coordinator

Want to follow in Laura's footsteps

Laura becomes the latest in a long line of Exyte Hargreaves apprentices to have won an industry award. We’re recruiting for our 2024 apprentices right now. To apply simply visit our Apprenticeships web page and see our listed vacancies. The closing date is 31 May 2024!

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