Real Experiences

Tino Mumvuri

PROCUREMENT APPRENTICE

Is there a specific moment or achievement that stands out as a proud milestone in your journey?

I have had a few opportunities. I did a video with Laura Trott for National Apprenticeship Week and got to visit Parliament and meet some of the MPS. It gave me a good opportunity to network and meet people. I am currently working on Valhalla, which has been enjoyable. I have also had the chance to go out and visit schools in the local area and chat with other people of similar age about my experience here at Aston.

What do you think sets Aston Martin’s Apprenticeship Scheme apart from others in the industry?

Aston Martin is an ultra-luxury brand. It has so much history behind it, with James Bond as an iconic image. Working at other companies, they might not have as much history with the brand, so that is important to me.  In terms of employees, Aston is a small company, so it makes the brand feel more personable. I find there is not a huge gap between senior management and myself, making it feel like a close and personal place to work.

What made you choose Aston Martin and its Apprenticeship Scheme to start your career?

The Brand has an amazing history behind it, and I was drawn to it. I think having the chance to work with cool supercars and get exposure to different areas of the business to see how it all works is exciting. With lots of projects coming up and launching in the next few years, seeing this unfold makes Aston Martin an exciting place to work. It’s an amazing time to join the team.

Looking ahead, what do you hope to accomplish, and how does Aston Martin’s Apprenticeship Scheme support you in reaching those goals?

After my apprenticeship, I’d like to stay at Aston. I wouldn’t want to leave, and I love my team. I want to continue my work in Procurement, progress through the ranks and keep working on my skills. I would like to one day become Chief Procurement Officer, potentially in 30/40 years for Aston Martin.

What advice would you give to students considering Aston Martin’s Apprenticeship Program?

Apply and do it! It’s a great place to start learning and on the job, too, while also getting a degree! I’d also say to students to keep an open mind when applying. As you learn on the job, go with it, be passionate about learning, and ask questions. I didn’t know what Procurement was at first, and now I’m really enjoying it.

Lydia Ward

SUPPLY CHAIN GRADUATE
   
What made you choose Aston Martin and its Graduate Program to start your career?

I completed a placement year in the automotive industry, where I developed a keen interest in the field and knew I wanted to continue my career in a similar environment. I was particularly drawn to Aston Martin because it offers the unique combination of being a prestigious global brand but with the close-knit atmosphere of a smaller company. Additionally, the opportunity to work with such iconic products and witness the craftsmanship behind the cars makes every day exciting and rewarding and cannot be overlooked.

How has the Graduate Program influenced your career so far?

The Graduate Program has been instrumental in helping me identify my strengths, as well as develop skills I didn’t know I had. It has broadened my understanding of the supply chain, exposing me to areas I wasn’t familiar with before. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the bigger picture, especially in terms of how crucial each component is in ensuring the smooth flow of manufacturing. It’s been eye-opening to see how different departments collaborate to bring everything together.

Share a standout project where you felt you made a real impact at Aston Martin?

One standout project for me was having full responsibility for delivering the Valiant and Valour models to our customers. From the moment production finished, I managed the outbound process, ensuring the cars were delivered smoothly and on time. It’s been a fantastic learning opportunity and rewarding to see finished products at dealers or with customers on social media, knowing that I played a key role in that success.

How does it feel to contribute to a brand with such an iconic reputation, and how does that inspire you?

It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a brand with such an iconic reputation. The responsibility I carry gives me a great sense of pride and knowing that my contributions make a tangible difference to Aston Martin is something I’m genuinely proud of. It motivates me to continually strive for excellence, knowing that the work I do plays a role in the brand’s ongoing success.

Maya Dunn

ENGINEERING GRADUATE

What made you choose Aston Martin and its Graduate Program to start your career?

I think the reputation as a brand as it is of course very famous and prestigious. I feel proud to tell people that I work at Aston Martin. I feel like all my studying at university has paid off and I am really proud to call Aston Martin my place of work. I have always loved James Bond and directly wanted to work for Aston Martin.

How has the Graduate Program influenced your career so far?

It has helped me understand the way of the working world. I never had a job before this graduate scheme so didn’t really know what to expect coming out University. I think being able to be on rotation which on the graduate scheme has been useful as currently I am on the 4th rotation at Aston Martin, and I have been able to see different areas and which one I prefer and don’t prefer!

Share a standout project where you felt you made a real impact at Aston Martin?

My current role in Commercial is something I am really proud of as I am working on getting a Valour sold. I am responsible for getting different parts for the car. I have been tasked with speaking to multiple different people across the business which has been really useful as I have built up connections with other people.

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced during the program, and how did it help you to grow professionally and personally?

I think for me working with some of the rotations have been quite hard sometimes just because I have had to integrate into a new team and build up new relationships every 3 months. Some advice I would give someone starting is just to be prepared for anything and learn to adapt quite quickly to challenges which sometimes you will be face with. Aston Martin is fast paced so you need to follow the demands of the business which can change last minute.

Isak Lowe

ENGINEERING GRADUATE

What made you choose Aston Martin and its Graduate Program to start your career?

I love cars, always wanted to do automotive engineering. I studied at Loughborough Uni as they specialised in Automotive, so I knew what I wanted to study. The history of the brand and its luxury feel really inspired me to work here. The cars have a lot of history behind them so its great working for a brand that has so much history.

How has the Graduate Program influenced your career so far?

I wanted specifically to get into design and get involved with the early stages of it. Taking part in the graduate programme has allowed me to do this and I loved being hands on with the cars. Initially I thought I would prefer a mix of desk work and being able to test the cars, however since the scheme I have realised that testing the cars is where my passion lies and this is my favourite part of my job.

Share a standout project where you felt you made a real impact at Aston Martin?

One of the highlights of my time so far at Aston Martin is getting to visit Sweden to test out the cars on the ice. This was great fun and such a cool experience. Another great trip I got to go on was Florida! I was asked to help with the reflash on the DB12. I was there for 3 weeks and visited dealership helping to fix some of the software on their cars. It was such an amazing experience.

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced during the program, and how did it help you to grow professionally and personally?

I would say my trip to Florida, it was quite intimidating to be sent out there alone and meet the managers at the dealerships without having anyone else to rely on for support. I took a deep breath and knew I could do my job so got on with it. It was a challenging but very rewarding trip.

What advice would you give someone considering a graduate scheme at Aston Martin? What should they know before applying, and how can they make the most of their experience if they get the opportunity?

Just have to seize the opportunity and give it everything you can. Carry yourself with a good attitude and smile on face. I wanted to prove I was keen to do things, never know where things may lead so always put yourself first and forward.

Matthew Ho

PROCUREMENT GRADUATE

What made you choose Aston Martin and its Graduate Program to start your career?

My passion for travelling and cars made me gravitate towards the automotive industry. It also helps me enjoy my role and understand what I am working with. I have also been given lots of responsibility, providing plenty of opportunities for development.

How has the Graduate Program influenced your career so far?

The Graduate Programme has been great so far. At the beginning I took the time to understand the procurement function and interpret the different approaches buyers use to manage their commodities. I have found there is good scope to follow your own areas of interest and there is good flexibility in the program

Share a standout project where you felt you made a real impact at Aston Martin?

I look after all things lighting. I find it very satisfying to mitigate supply chain risks and deliver good value for money. One specific example involved our interior map lamps where the supplier highlighted a supply risk. By collaborating with engineering, legal and supply chain teams, we were able to derive a solution and deliver a cost reduction.

How does it feel to contribute to a brand with such an iconic reputation, and how does that inspire you?

As a car enthusiast, I have always kept up to date with latest vehicle launches and I feel proud to have contributed to the production of our Aston Martin vehicles. Viewing the launch events and seeing positive reviews online makes me feel proud to work here.

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced during the program, and how did it help you to grow professionally and personally?

One of the biggest challenges I have encountered so far has been understanding the technical aspects of my commodity (lighting). Without an engineering background, some of my tasks have been tricky. However, I have always had the necessary support to ensure I can deliver a good result. It has pushed me to build positive relationships cross-functionally, enabling me to become more efficient in solving problems.

Clara Horwood

Manufacturing Apprentice

Is there a specific moment or achievement that stands out as a proud milestone in your journey?

I would say that my proudest moment so far working at Aston Martin is being able to say that I helped during the production process of the first ever new Vanquishes. I have been given a lot of responsibility in my role to help make decisions and aim to improve production processes.

What do you think sets Aston Martin’s Apprenticeship Scheme apart from others in the industry?

I think the level of involvement you get from day one. I thought when I joined the apprenticeship, it would start of being low level with not much responsibility, however I have been thrown into tasks with the necessary support and been very hands on. Due to Aston Martin being a smaller company in comparison to industry competitors, I am able to experience many areas and get a wide understanding of how sports car manufacturers function.

What made you choose Aston Martin and its Apprenticeship Scheme to start your career?

As a young female aspiring engineer, Aston Martin’s apprenticeship scheme stood out as a chance to enter the automotive industry, and become part of a greatly prestigious company. I think Aston Martin offered me an exceptional opportunity to develop my knowledge by studying for my degree, alongside gaining so much hands on experience within the customer-focused production environment.

Looking ahead, what do you hope to accomplish, and how does Aston Martin’s Apprenticeship Scheme support you in reaching those goals?

In the future, I aim to continue my development across different areas of manufacturing engineering, supporting upcoming projects and making connections within the business. As an apprentice, there is the flexibility to explore different aspects of the company, so making the most of these four years means I can end my course with not only the academic knowledge, but also a great overview of Aston Martin’s values and working processes. I would like to continue working within the manufacturing engineering team and progress into roles with more responsibilities, as well as supporting other females into the engineering industry where I can.

What advice would you give to students considering Aston Martin’s Apprenticeship Scheme?

I would say to take the opportunity and apply! Not only does working here open a lot of doors for future opportunities, but the support you are given allows you to develop skills and build confidence. Starting a full time job whilst also studying for a degree can be overwhelming to consider, but you are given the time to study when required, and the support system within Aston Martin makes the whole process a lot easier to adjust into. From other apprentices in the same position as me, to colleagues within my team, everyone is willing to help and push you to get the most learning out of the apprenticeship.