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Steph McGovern and Ross Brawn Ignite Business Innovation at Reading’s ‘Power of Apprenticeships’ Event

26th February 2026

Over 150 local businesses and stakeholders gathered at Reading Town Hall recently for a landmark event celebrating the future of vocational training. The Power of Apprenticeships brought together business leaders, aspiring professionals and community members to explore how apprenticeships bridge the gap between education and industry.

networking with training providers

The event, hosted by Reading’s Business Improvement District (part of REDA) during National Apprenticeship Week, featured a high-profile lineup led by award-winning broadcaster Steph McGovern and Formula 1 legend Ross Brawn. Both headliners shared personal insights from their own career journeys, which both famously began as apprentices.

The panel also included representatives from local businesses, training providers and current and former apprentices:

Martin Dix, part of Stantec’s Executive Senior Leadership team and apprenticeship steering committee, provided insight into the benefits for employers to take on apprentices.
Katy Edwards, Managing Director of Chiltern Training, gave an insightful presentation on how apprenticeships work, including funding opportunities and data showing a large percentage of apprentices in Reading are over the age of 25.
Katie Howard, John Lewis’s Brand Experience Manager, currently undertaking a higher-level apprenticeship explained how much the programme has taught her, and her appreciation to her employer for supporting her along this journey.
Lydia Feasey, Lead Engineer at UK Atomic Energy Authority, talked about her family connection and encouragement with apprenticeships, her career path since taking up the training programme, her involvement in the current apprenticeship training programme and her visits to schools to encourage students to consider this option and teachers to embrace it.

Panel of event

The event highlighted the significant scale of apprenticeship opportunities currently available:

Local Growth: Reading saw 1,040 apprenticeship starts in 2024/25, supported by 40 local training providers and colleges.
Financial Support: Small businesses can access government funding covering 95% of training costs, with 100% funding available for apprentices aged 16–21.
Business Incentives: Employers may be eligible for additional grants, including £1,000 for apprentices under 19.

Alexa Volker, Reading BID Manager, part of REDA, said “It was wonderful to see so many employers attending this thought-provoking event. The data showing the take up of apprenticeships and the wide variety of training opportunities was insightful. It was also great to see so many employers keen to know more in the Q&A session afterwards."

Nigel Horton-Baker, CEO of REDA, stated: "The incredible turnout for the event demonstrates that Reading's business community is ready to embrace the next generation of talent. Seeing legends like Ross and Steph, who both built their careers following apprenticeships, proves that this path is a strong and viable route from education in to work providing the practical and creative workforce that our local economy thrives on."