Business Stories - Business Services | Birmingham City University
Source: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/business/business-stories
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Business Stories - Business Services | Birmingham City University
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Business stories
Real business impact, powered by collaboration.
D
iscover how organisations are working with Birmingham City University to innovate,
grow
and solve real-world challenges.
E
xplore stories,
insights
and results across our full range of business services.
Explore our business services
See how JLR are achieving results through our partnerships
BCU has been able to provide the relevant skills and knowledge for students to develop and become industry ready. Bringing creative thinking to the forefront of what we do and not being afraid to do something different is what has helped to continue the great work across both the university and JLR.
Read the full case study
More about placements and internships
Overbury
Overbury
shares
how
their
apprentice
,
Poppy
Deakin
,
has
made
a
positive
impact
as
an
Assistant
Project
Manager
,
working
closely
with
subcontractors
,
clients
and
consultants
to
help
projects
run
smoothly
.
Discover
how
apprenticeships
with
Birmingham
City
University
can
help
businesses
strengthen
their
teams
while
developing
future
talent.
More about apprenticeships
0:04
My name is Poppy Deacon and I'm an assistant project manager at Overby Central. I started three and a half years ago by doing a week of work experience and I'm still here now.
0:15
So at Overbbury, we were really keen to get an apprentice at BCU and we'd seen that they had really good reviews.
0:21
Apprenticeships allow us to think ahead to ensure that we have our talent pipeline and that we are developing our people to ensure that we have future
0:29
leaders. Over are a leading fit out contractor for a reason and this is the kind of environment that I want to progress my career in. Apprenticeships
0:36
in general are dynamic, versatile and often challenging. They push you out your comfort zone which is something that I probably wouldn't have felt
0:44
comfortable doing beforehand. I wanted to expand my knowledge further which meant that I could work alongside the business improvement team within Overbury.
0:52
Poppy's made a huge impact on project delivery. She gets on really well with subcontractors, with our clients and our consultants, ensuring that she is an
1:01
integral part of our project being able to hand over smoothly and ensure we have a delighted client.
1:06
Tripartite reviews happen every 3 months. They enable me to catch up with my reviewer along with someone at Overbury who is monitoring my progress.
1:17
To other employers uh considering taking on BCU apprentices, I would definitely definitely encourage you.
1:23
Apprenticeships are a great way to um develop your people and to bring diversity into your business. So, I
1:30
would never hesitate in encouraging people to do that. I've never had any regrets about doing an apprenticeship.
1:36
It's opened up avenues and opportunities that I could never imagined. And overall, I'd say do it and you'll have no regrets.
MetCloud
Ian Vickers, CEO of cybersecurity firm METCLOUD shares his companies journey with BCU through KTP. Looking at how BCU’s KTPs have helped revolutionise their development, setting them apart from competitors in their market.
More about KTPs
Speller Metcalfe
Working at Speller Metcalfe in Malvern, apprentice Alice is gaining valuable hands-on experience in the construction industry while studying towards her degree. Alice’s employer has also seen the benefits of bringing a BCU apprentice into the business.
More on Apprenticeships
My name is Alice Dudley. I am a trainee estimator at Speller Metcalfe, Malvern.
0:11
The apprenticeship is a great way of approaching a career. It means I learn on the job. So I get to put everything I
0:18
learn at university into practice. I learn skills that are relevant to the role, whether that be presentation skills that I don't always learn in the workplace.
0:30
My name is Vicky Thompson. I'm a senior estimator and I work for Speller Metcalfe Carve here in Malvern. The reason we took on a BCU apprentice. It's fantastic to
0:38
be at the start of somebody's journey in their career in construction and it's excellent to be able to help mould them in the business and the business needs.
0:46
We are currently in a module where I'm learning construction terms and the whole process of how to build a residential house. I am involved
0:54
throughout the whole process of a construction tender. So it means a job will come in, I help price it, I contact subcontractors, and then when it goes
1:02
onto site, then I'm involved in that side of it. So it's a great way to learn about the whole construction process,
1:08
not just focused on one aspect. Alice's confidence has really increased as well.
1:12
We've seen it particularly when she talks to clients, to internal teams, and to subcontractors. She's helped support our tender process, which ultimately
1:19
means we can turn around more bids and increase profit for the business. Having Alice in the pre-construction office has been a real bonus. um for our
1:27
productivity. She's become a really capable pair of hands and he's starting to take on lots more tasks independently. So the benefits of
1:35
learning at university and then learning in the workplace is you get this well-rounded understanding. I see the industry as it changes as new
1:43
legislation comes in. I'm on the front line of understanding that we'd highly recommend that other employers take on a BCU degree apprentice. Alice has been fantastic and
1:52
the support that we get from BCU has been unrivalled. If you're planning on starting an apprenticeship, go for it. It is the best thing I have done. At the
2:00
end of it all, I'll have a degree, a charter ship, and a full-time job.
What businesses say about working with us
Enterprise Mobility
Jamie Wharfe, Talent Acquisition
We view BCU as a key recruitment partner and a fantastic source of graduate talent...leading to 62 graduate level hires over the last three years.
Lounge Underwear
Georgia Perry, Chief People Officer
Working with Birmingham City University is such a pleasure, nothing is ever too much!
Lapworth Architects
Mike Kalam
The team has been instrumental in helping us connect with a wide range of talented students and graduates. The breadth of skills and enthusiasm they bring has been a real asset to our practice. Their professional and proactive approach to recruitment has made the process smooth and effective and we look forward to continuing our collaboration
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services
Luke, Dealer Contact Manager
The enthusiasm and new perspectives that the apprentices bring to our business is invaluable. I feel that they add an additional layer to the business and bring in new ideas and questions. I’ve seen some wonderful successes come from our apprentice programme
National Citizen Service
Hannah Love, Workforce Coordinator
We have worked with Birmingham City University (BCU) for several years through their recruitment fairs. During our last attendance, we engaged with many students, with 50 students expressing their interest to work with us.
CIPR Midlands
Kelly O'Hanlon
We have hosted the CIPR Midlands PR conference at BCU on all four occasions as the facilities are impressive, location ideal and the event team supportive.
Trusted by leading organisations
BBC
PwC
Siemens
Goldman Sachs
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
Screwfix
CGI
Ways we can support your business
Events and venue hire
Recruit talent
Collaborate with experts
Train your workforce
Recent searches
No recent searches
Popular searches
Virtual Tour
Interview advice
Postgraduate study
Scholarships
Open Days
Suggested searches
Accommodation
Life in Birmingham
Reaching beyond
Graduate Scholarship
Degree Apprenticeships
We use cookies on this website to improve the experience we provide. By continuing to use our site you agree to this, or visit our
cookie policy
to manage your settings.
Saved courses
Search website
Business stories
Real business impact, powered by collaboration.
D
iscover how organisations are working with Birmingham City University to innovate,
grow
and solve real-world challenges.
E
xplore stories,
insights
and results across our full range of business services.
Explore our business services
See how JLR are achieving results through our partnerships
BCU has been able to provide the relevant skills and knowledge for students to develop and become industry ready. Bringing creative thinking to the forefront of what we do and not being afraid to do something different is what has helped to continue the great work across both the university and JLR.
Read the full case study
More about placements and internships
Overbury
Overbury
shares
how
their
apprentice
,
Poppy
Deakin
,
has
made
a
positive
impact
as
an
Assistant
Project
Manager
,
working
closely
with
subcontractors
,
clients
and
consultants
to
help
projects
run
smoothly
.
Discover
how
apprenticeships
with
Birmingham
City
University
can
help
businesses
strengthen
their
teams
while
developing
future
talent.
More about apprenticeships
0:04
My name is Poppy Deacon and I'm an assistant project manager at Overby Central. I started three and a half years ago by doing a week of work experience and I'm still here now.
0:15
So at Overbbury, we were really keen to get an apprentice at BCU and we'd seen that they had really good reviews.
0:21
Apprenticeships allow us to think ahead to ensure that we have our talent pipeline and that we are developing our people to ensure that we have future
0:29
leaders. Over are a leading fit out contractor for a reason and this is the kind of environment that I want to progress my career in. Apprenticeships
0:36
in general are dynamic, versatile and often challenging. They push you out your comfort zone which is something that I probably wouldn't have felt
0:44
comfortable doing beforehand. I wanted to expand my knowledge further which meant that I could work alongside the business improvement team within Overbury.
0:52
Poppy's made a huge impact on project delivery. She gets on really well with subcontractors, with our clients and our consultants, ensuring that she is an
1:01
integral part of our project being able to hand over smoothly and ensure we have a delighted client.
1:06
Tripartite reviews happen every 3 months. They enable me to catch up with my reviewer along with someone at Overbury who is monitoring my progress.
1:17
To other employers uh considering taking on BCU apprentices, I would definitely definitely encourage you.
1:23
Apprenticeships are a great way to um develop your people and to bring diversity into your business. So, I
1:30
would never hesitate in encouraging people to do that. I've never had any regrets about doing an apprenticeship.
1:36
It's opened up avenues and opportunities that I could never imagined. And overall, I'd say do it and you'll have no regrets.
MetCloud
Ian Vickers, CEO of cybersecurity firm METCLOUD shares his companies journey with BCU through KTP. Looking at how BCU’s KTPs have helped revolutionise their development, setting them apart from competitors in their market.
More about KTPs
Speller Metcalfe
Working at Speller Metcalfe in Malvern, apprentice Alice is gaining valuable hands-on experience in the construction industry while studying towards her degree. Alice’s employer has also seen the benefits of bringing a BCU apprentice into the business.
More on Apprenticeships
My name is Alice Dudley. I am a trainee estimator at Speller Metcalfe, Malvern.
0:11
The apprenticeship is a great way of approaching a career. It means I learn on the job. So I get to put everything I
0:18
learn at university into practice. I learn skills that are relevant to the role, whether that be presentation skills that I don't always learn in the workplace.
0:30
My name is Vicky Thompson. I'm a senior estimator and I work for Speller Metcalfe Carve here in Malvern. The reason we took on a BCU apprentice. It's fantastic to
0:38
be at the start of somebody's journey in their career in construction and it's excellent to be able to help mould them in the business and the business needs.
0:46
We are currently in a module where I'm learning construction terms and the whole process of how to build a residential house. I am involved
0:54
throughout the whole process of a construction tender. So it means a job will come in, I help price it, I contact subcontractors, and then when it goes
1:02
onto site, then I'm involved in that side of it. So it's a great way to learn about the whole construction process,
1:08
not just focused on one aspect. Alice's confidence has really increased as well.
1:12
We've seen it particularly when she talks to clients, to internal teams, and to subcontractors. She's helped support our tender process, which ultimately
1:19
means we can turn around more bids and increase profit for the business. Having Alice in the pre-construction office has been a real bonus. um for our
1:27
productivity. She's become a really capable pair of hands and he's starting to take on lots more tasks independently. So the benefits of
1:35
learning at university and then learning in the workplace is you get this well-rounded understanding. I see the industry as it changes as new
1:43
legislation comes in. I'm on the front line of understanding that we'd highly recommend that other employers take on a BCU degree apprentice. Alice has been fantastic and
1:52
the support that we get from BCU has been unrivalled. If you're planning on starting an apprenticeship, go for it. It is the best thing I have done. At the
2:00
end of it all, I'll have a degree, a charter ship, and a full-time job.
What businesses say about working with us
Enterprise Mobility
Jamie Wharfe, Talent Acquisition
We view BCU as a key recruitment partner and a fantastic source of graduate talent...leading to 62 graduate level hires over the last three years.
Lounge Underwear
Georgia Perry, Chief People Officer
Working with Birmingham City University is such a pleasure, nothing is ever too much!
Lapworth Architects
Mike Kalam
The team has been instrumental in helping us connect with a wide range of talented students and graduates. The breadth of skills and enthusiasm they bring has been a real asset to our practice. Their professional and proactive approach to recruitment has made the process smooth and effective and we look forward to continuing our collaboration
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services
Luke, Dealer Contact Manager
The enthusiasm and new perspectives that the apprentices bring to our business is invaluable. I feel that they add an additional layer to the business and bring in new ideas and questions. I’ve seen some wonderful successes come from our apprentice programme
National Citizen Service
Hannah Love, Workforce Coordinator
We have worked with Birmingham City University (BCU) for several years through their recruitment fairs. During our last attendance, we engaged with many students, with 50 students expressing their interest to work with us.
CIPR Midlands
Kelly O'Hanlon
We have hosted the CIPR Midlands PR conference at BCU on all four occasions as the facilities are impressive, location ideal and the event team supportive.
Trusted by leading organisations
BBC
PwC
Siemens
Goldman Sachs
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
Screwfix
CGI
Ways we can support your business
Events and venue hire
Recruit talent
Collaborate with experts
Train your workforce
Recent searches
No recent searches
Popular searches
Virtual Tour
Interview advice
Postgraduate study
Scholarships
Open Days
Suggested searches
Accommodation
Life in Birmingham
Reaching beyond
Graduate Scholarship
Degree Apprenticeships