Outstanding Apprentice of the Year 2022

The Outstanding Apprentice of the Year is awarded for significant progression and consistent commitment to personal and professional development, providing a positive impact for both their employers and fellow apprentices.

Meet our Outstanding Apprentice of the Year

We are delighted to announce that Johnathan Dodd is our 2022 Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.

To win such a prestigious award means the world to me. Not only having recognition of how the apprenticeship has developed me as a person, but how the learning has enabled me to take a fresh approach at problems and implement new services to ensure mariners around the world are kept safe every day. This award will give me the confidence to continue to strive for excellence and look at new ways to approach my personal and professional life. I believe this would also show as an example to my team and colleagues what can be accomplished and how it can be recognised.

Johnathan Dodd, Director of Maritime Safety, Inmarsat

Johnathan Dodd

Director of Maritime Safety, Inmarsat

Johnathan Dodd - Director of Maritime Safety, Inmarsat

Johnathan Dodd is Director of Maritime Safety at Inmarsat, the world leader in global mobile satellite communications. Supported by his military background, Johnathan’s particular focus is on protecting the lives of people working on board ships around the world. Inmarsat is the world’s first and only fully operational provider of Global Marine Distress and Safety Systems.

Two years ago, Johnathan’s boss suggested that he enrol on Henley Business School’s Senior Leadership Apprenticeship programme in order to enhance his – and the organisation’s – managerial capability. Johnathan was already developing a global network of shore-based marine rescue centres and a communications system to allow shipping in distress to contact the most appropriate rescue centre quickly and easily.

Johnathan had been instrumental in upgrading the satellite systems and the ships’ own software, and the network of rescue centres was already seen as a revolutionary step forward in global marine safety. But since joining Henley’s Apprenticeship programme, things have accelerated at a rate – and in new directions – that would have been previously unimaginable.

David Lock CMgr MCMI

Engineering Manager, Thales UK

David Lock - Engineering Manager, Thales UK

My name is Dave Lock and I am an IVVQ Function Lead, Engineering Manager and an apprentice at Thales.

Thales is an engineering solutions corporation and operates in 70 countries with 81,000 employees globally. Our Air Traffic Management covers 40% of the earth surface and we secures 80% of all global banking transactions for 95% of worlds largest banks. Our purpose is building a future we can all trust and our mission is to develop sustainable solutions that help customers think smarter and act faster to exploit decisive moments.

My journey at Thales started with a Systems Engineering Internship as part of sandwich placement at university and very much enjoyed the world of industry. I dipped my toes in management and leadership as an intern facilitating communications (stand ups and touch points) with a large and diverse engineering group on a very technical and challenging simulation programme. I returned to university and achieved my goal of a first class result to beat the entry criteria for the Graduate Development Programme at Thales. Around the same time as starting my apprenticeship I was promoted to a Line Manager role of IVVQ Function Lead as a means to provide challenge and a canvas on which to practice the knowledge skills and behaviours learned as part of the apprenticeship.

7 months prior to the End Point Assessment I was promoted to Engineering Manager with a new focus on Customer engagement and providing value internally, to our Customer, the British Army and the tax payer through another simulation programme.

I’ve always been somebody with a strong attitude in not only working hard, but also working smarter and bringing improvements and efficiencies along the way. The thing that motivates me every day is knowing that the work I do, and the products that Thales deliver are helping those in our armed forces think smarter and act faster and it gives me great joy to know that I am helping provide those products to those who need it.

Completing the apprenticeship in parallel with balancing the two management and leadership roles I hold at Thales has been very challenging but I am very grateful to all of those who helped me along the way at Thales and Pearsons TQ. I am looking forward to offering my knowledge and experience to those who will follow in my footsteps for this apprenticeship.

Highly Commended

David Lock CMgr MCMI was shortlisted for the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year as a result of applying his learning into the workplace for greater advancement within the organisation.

Feels fantastic to receive the recognition for my hard work during the apprenticeship, and is also a great reward for those who supported me over my time as an apprentice. It feels even better to be here representing my organisation who has created a strong culture of developing their people.

David Lock CMgr MCMI, Engineering Manager, Thales UK

Our 2022 Shortlisted Candidates

Johnathan Dodd

Director of Maritime Safety, Inmarsat

Johnathan Dodd - Director of Maritime Safety, Inmarsat

Christopher McShane

Managing Director, Marathon Kids

Christopher McShane - Managing Director, Marathon Kids

I am currently the Managing Director of Marathon Kids UK (formerly Kids Run Free), a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to combating childhood obesity and poor mental health in children through physical activity. Alongside this, I am studying an Executive Master’s of Business Administration and Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship through Aston University in collaboration with the CMI. The apprenticeship has enabled me to support, shape and lead my current team of employees, as well as implement strategies to engage thousands of children and their families across the UK, helping them to take their first steps towards an active lifestyle.

I enjoy working with people and take pride in making a difference through sport. In my spare time, I am the Vice Chair of Governors and Early Years Curriculum Lead at Woodlands Infant School, as well as the Safeguarding Officer at my local football club. I am also a co-owner of a successful health and fitness business, which has led to more sporting opportunities for children and young people in the village where I grew up in Ireland.

I am grateful to have been nominated for this award. Being a finalist for the "Apprentice of the Year" from a large and credible organisation like the CMI is an honour and privilege I will never forget. This experience has enabled me to transform the organisation, while also advancing my strategic leadership skills, career and potential as a young person in business.

David Lock CMgr MCMI

Engineering Manager, Thales UK

David Lock - Engineering Manager, Thales UK

My name is Dave Lock and I am an IVVQ Function Lead, Engineering Manager and an apprentice at Thales.

Learn more about our previous award winners

Meet the stars in management and leadership who showcase outstanding skills and achievements.

Meet the previous winners