Charlie & Ella Complete Sales Apprenticeships

Published 02 Sep 2026

Charlie Baines and Ella Bradley celebrating the completion of their Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeships at Thorne and Derrick

Celebrating Charlie & Ella’s Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeships

At Thorne & Derrick International, we are proud to champion talent development and recognise the dedication required to achieve professional growth.

We are therefore delighted to congratulate Charlie Baines and Ella Bradley, who have both successfully completed their Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeships through Gateshead Learning and Skills.

This is a significant achievement and reflects the determination, hard work and commitment Charlie and Ella have demonstrated throughout their apprenticeship journeys.

Their success also reflects Thorne & Derrick’s continued commitment to investing in its people and supporting apprenticeship programmes that create meaningful opportunities for professional development and long-term career progression.

A Thorne & Derrick First for Ella Bradley

We are especially proud to announce that Ella completed her apprenticeship with a distinction.

Ella is the first person at Thorne & Derrick to achieve a distinction in the Sales Executive apprenticeship, making this an important milestone for both Ella and the company.

This outstanding result reflects the consistently high standard of work Ella maintained throughout the programme, as well as her commitment to developing her knowledge, confidence and professional sales capabilities.

Ella’s distinction sets an inspiring example for other apprentices and colleagues working towards their own professional development goals.

A Testament to Dedication and Development

Completing a Level 4 apprenticeship requires apprentices to balance their everyday responsibilities with structured learning, workplace development and formal assessment.

Throughout the programme, Charlie and Ella continued to develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required within a modern sales role.

Key Areas of Development Included:

Sales Planning – Developing structured and effective approaches to sales activity.
Customer Engagement – Building trusted relationships and communicating confidently with customers.
Customer Needs Analysis – Understanding customer requirements and identifying suitable solutions.
Product and Sector Knowledge – Strengthening their understanding of Thorne & Derrick’s specialist products and markets.
Commercial Awareness – Developing an understanding of the commercial factors influencing successful sales.
Negotiation Skills – Building the confidence required to progress opportunities and achieve positive outcomes.

These skills are particularly important within Thorne & Derrick’s specialist industries, where customers depend on knowledgeable sales professionals to understand complex requirements and help identify appropriate technical solutions.

Charlie Baines and Ella Bradley celebrating with workplace mentor Laura McCabe and Thorne and Derrick Managing Director Richard Derrick

Recognising the Importance of Mentorship

The successful completion of an apprenticeship is supported not only by formal learning but also by the encouragement, knowledge and practical guidance provided in the workplace.

Special recognition goes to Laura McCabe, who mentored Charlie and Ella throughout their apprenticeship journeys.

Laura provided ongoing guidance as Charlie and Ella developed their skills, applied their learning within the workplace and progressed through the different stages of the programme.

Her contribution highlights the important role experienced colleagues play in helping apprentices build confidence, overcome challenges and fulfil their professional potential.

Congratulations from Thorne & Derrick

Managing Director Richard Derrick joined Laura and the wider Thorne & Derrick team in congratulating Charlie and Ella on their achievements.

Their success reflects the commitment they have shown to their professional development and demonstrates the value of combining structured learning with practical workplace experience.

We would also like to thank Gateshead Learning and Skills for the training and support provided throughout Charlie and Ella’s apprenticeships.

Congratulations, Charlie and Ella. Your achievements are a credit to your dedication, and everyone at Thorne & Derrick is extremely proud of you both.

Empowering Future Professionals

Charlie and Ella’s success reflects Thorne & Derrick’s belief in developing talented individuals who are equipped to progress within their careers and contribute to the continued success of the business.

Now equipped with nationally recognised Level 4 qualifications, Charlie and Ella are well positioned to continue building their experience, taking on new responsibilities and delivering value to Thorne & Derrick and its customers.

Their achievements also demonstrate the important role apprenticeships can play in nurturing talent, developing workplace skills and creating opportunities for meaningful career progression.

About Thorne & Derrick International

Thorne & Derrick International is a UK-based specialist distributor of LV, MV and HV cable accessories and tooling, complemented by an extensive range of hazardous area certified electrical equipment.

With more than 40 years of industry expertise, Thorne & Derrick supplies trusted products, technical support and tailored solutions to customers working across power, utilities, rail, construction, oil and gas, marine and process industries.

Thorne & Derrick remains committed to investing in its people and developing future-ready capabilities through apprenticeship programmes that nurture talent, strengthen workplace knowledge and support long-term career development.