The Next Generation at Lloyd South Lakes: Meet Apprentices Ellie & Fergus!
At Lloyd Motor Group, we are passionate about investing in the development and progression of our apprentices. Meet Fergus and Ellie, the newest faces to join our Lloyd South Lakes team. Choosing to earn while they learn through a Lloyd apprenticeship, the duo have been gaining hands-on experience, supported every step of the way by our experienced team.
As part of their apprenticeship journey, Ellie and Fergus recently took part in a five-day residential training programme at Plas Menai. Delivered by BMW — this was an immersive experience designed to develop their knowledge, confidence and teamwork skills. The trip marked an exciting milestone in their training, giving them the opportunity to learn alongside fellow apprentices from across the network.
Read on to hear how they are finding their Lloyd Apprenticeship journey so far...
Meet Fergus, Lloyd South Lakes Customer Service Apprentice
What initially inspired you to pursue a Customer Service Apprenticeship?
"For me, it was a bit different. It wasn't something I had thought about or was actively looking for, but the opportunity came up. At 19 and fresh out of school, I wanted to start working straight away and to earn my own money. This has allowed me to continue learning whilst getting paid at the same time."
Can you describe what your day-to-day role involves and the key skills you’re developing?
"My day-to-day role involves many different aspects. I deal with inbound calls, respond to emails received overnight, and manage any online bookings that have come through. No two days are the same."
How did your residential training week at Plas Menai support your development and prepare you for the next stage of your apprenticeship?
"During our residential training week, I had the opportunity to meet the colleagues I will be training alongside throughout the next year. It allowed us to build strong relationships and gain an understanding of the different journeys each of us took to secure our roles. Plas Menai played a significant role in supporting my development, both as a customer service apprentice and as an individual. Through the various activities, we were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones. Whenever someone found a task challenging, we supported one another, building confidence and strengthening our teamwork skills."
What was the most memorable or rewarding moment from your time there, and why did it stand out to you?
"The most rewarding moment for me was our final discussion, where we reflected on the action-packed week we just completed. It was inspiring to see how everyone had fully committed to every activity and was embracing each challenge without hesitation. Many of us were surprised at how willing we were to give everything a go rather than shy away from it."
In what ways will you apply the skills you developed when working with customers at Lloyd BMW?
"The skills I developed at Plas Menai included teamwork, which is extremely valuable in my role. As I am new to the business, it is reassuring to know that if I ever need support, my colleagues will be there to guide me. Everyone has been new at some point, so there is a shared understanding and willingness to help one another succeed. Another important skill I developed was problem-solving. I learned that even when obstacles arise, there is always a solution. This mindset is essential when working with customers, as challenges can occur, but it is important to remain calm, think clearly, and find the best possible outcome."
From your perspective, what can customers expect when visiting Lloyd BMW South Lakes?
" When first visiting South Lakes BMW, you'll immediately notice how unique the dealership building is, as it is located within a national park, giving it a distinctive and impressive setting. Having previously been a customer before working here, I experienced firsthand how welcoming the team is. You are always greeted with a smile, and everyone is keen to help you get settled and find exactly what you're looking for. Even small gestures, such as holding the door for you, offering you a coffee while you wait, make the experience feel professional, friendly, and customer-focused."
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship with Lloyd BMW?
"The advice I would give someone considering an apprenticeship with Lloyd BMW is to take the opportunity and give it your full commitment. A couple of months ago, I would not have expected myself to be doing this, but I am more than happy I chose this path. It has given me the chance to earn while I learn, gain valuable experience, and develop both professionally and personally."
Meet Ellie, Lloyd South Lakes MINI Service Advisor Apprentice
Tell us about yourself!
"Hello, my name is Ellie, and I am 17 years old and work as a Service Advisor Apprentice at Lloyd South Lakes MINI. I had always been interested in cars, but I found myself drawn towards the customer service and admin side, so this was the perfect role for me. I originally found Lloyd through family members purchasing their cars, then I went on to purchase my own car not long after. Applying to Lloyd through an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I've ever made."
Talk us through your apprenticeship journey so far, and what it has involved.
"Personally, I have had a very positive journey. My first week was mainly based around the area of health and safety. This is learnt this online with videos, information, and then completed with a quiz. Once I had completed everything on the health and safety side, I began my journey properly. Here at Lloyd South Lakes, I have had a lot of support, which really helped my learning journey improve. I began watching my colleague complete day-to-day tasks that would soon be my job. That included checking in customers as well as checking them out, taking payments, organising their day so it can be a smooth process for their customers, and so much more. Over time, I began doing little bits at a time until I understood the Lloyd processes. Now I've been here almost two months, and I have gained so much knowledge and responsibility with the help of my team."
If you had to describe the Lloyd BMW customer experience in one sentence, how would you define it?
"At Lloyd South Lakes, our priority is to make our customers' experience seamless, personal and affordable."
Can you tell us about your time at Plas Menai — what activities did it involve, and how did it support your development?
"I was at Plas Menai for five days. It was amazing and really helped improve lots of my skills even further. We did a team communication exercise every morning, then went on to our daytime activity. We did rock climbing, waterfall scrambling, paddle boarding, a treasure hunt type walk, mountain biking, and team communication in the afternoons. This supported my development by pushing me out of my comfort zone, developing my communication skills with people who were strangers when we first arrived, and helping us all learn how to work as a team rather than individuals."
What specific skills have you developed during your training that are already helping you in your day-to-day role within the dealership?
"Since my time at Plas Menai, I have found that my communication development has been valued by both my team and me; we all know what's going on, which helps us to provide a flawless service together. I have also gained confidence, if I can communicate and trust my team during what can be very hard, sometimes even stressful, activities, but come out the other side still; there's no reason I can't do that here in a calm environment, with a team I know and appreciate. Sometimes asking for help can end up providing you with a whole new perspective on the situation as well as different ways the situation can be dealt with and then resolved."
If you could summarise your Lloyd BMW journey so far in three words, what would they be?
" Motivating, Educational, and Wholesome."
As Ellie and Fergus continue to develop their skills and confidence through their apprenticeship, we couldn’t be more excited to see where their career journeys take them. Their progress so far highlights the real value of gaining hands-on experience, being part of a supportive team, and embracing every opportunity to learn and grow.
Be sure to stay tuned as they continue to progress through their training — we’ll be sharing more on their achievements and insights.
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