When Horizon Platforms set out to strengthen their marketing efforts, they didn’t hire an agency or expand their team. They invested in marketing internally, enrolling an existing team member on a Marketing Apprenticeship. The result? A 15% increase in revenue. In this case study, Marco Maccio, Marketing & Digital Director, reveals how Ben Hughes, a Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprentice trained by Whyy? Change, played a pivotal role in transforming their campaign output, driving more targeted activity, and delivering real commercial impact… all while upskilling on the job.
Apprenticeship Impact
Horizon Platforms has seen a 15% increase in revenue since Ben enrolled on the Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship.
The marketing apprenticeship enabled Horizon Platforms to create more effective marketing campaigns and increase sales.
About Horizon Platforms Ltd
Horizon Platforms is a leading provider of powered access rental solutions in the UK. Established in 2008, the company offers a wide range of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) for hire, including scissor lifts and boom lifts. Horizon Platforms is committed to delivering rapid, reliable, and high-quality service, supported by a nationwide partner network. The company is employee-owned, ensuring a dedicated and customer-focused approach.
Ben Hughes, Customer Training & Compliance Manager Apprentice at Horizon Platforms
Before the apprenticeship, Horizon Platforms sought to improve its marketing to boost lead generation and sales. Ben’s efforts led to a 15% revenue increase, making marketing more regular and targeted.
Ben’s upskilling resulted in a more aggressive marketing approach with consistent outputs. Customer training, previously a minor focus, became more integrated into marketing efforts. Whyy? Change provided excellent support and foundational skills, enhancing Ben’s contributions.
Ben demonstrated a strong grasp of marketing fundamentals and proactively applied new knowledge. Horizon Platforms supported this by offering real-world opportunities. The company highly recommends Whyy? Change for their effective apprenticeship programs.
What skills were you looking to gain / challenges were you looking to solve before your apprentice enrolled?
We were looking to invest in marketing to drive lead generation and sales.
What impact has the apprenticeship training had on your business?
Since enrolling on the apprenticeship, he has led a number of campaigns that have contributed to around 15% increase in revenue over that period. The big driver is that marketing for that part of our business is now regular and more targeted than ever before, as we lacked the resource and skillset to deliver the required marketing outputs.
How has your apprentice transformed your company’s projects, strategies, or overall direction?
Customer training has always been an add-on to our main revenue streams and has not really had huge amounts of focus. By upskilling through the apprenticeship and working closely with the existing marketing team, Ben has been able to contribute to marketing efforts that would simply not have happened. This has seen the business move into a more aggressive style of marketing, with frequent and consistent outputs being delivered.
“I personally have employed 4 apprentices across different businesses, and Whyy? Change? have been one of the best providers I have worked with.”
Marco Maccio, Marketing & Digital Director at Horizon Platforms Ltd
What was your experience like with Whyy? Change?
Feedback from Ben has shown that Whyy? Change? have delivered great support and given them the key foundational marketing skills to contribute to the business under supervision from experienced marketers. The level of engagement Ben has shown is a testament to Whyy? Change? as it shows their delivery of the apprenticeship is excellent.
What changes have you noticed since your apprentice started their course?
Ben has shown a clear understanding of marketing fundamentals and has been proactive in wanting to apply his knowledge. The business has fully supported them by providing opportunities to test the new skills in real-world applications.
What would you say to other businesses considering apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are great for building foundational skills in people. They require effort from all parties to ensure that the apprentice is not only supported for the qualification, but is provided opportunities to work with more experienced marketers to really put their newly learned skills to the test.
Would you recommend us to other businesses? If so, why?
I would recommend Whyy? Change? to other businesses, as our experience has been excellent. I personally have employed 4 apprentices across different businesses, and Whyy? Change? have been one of the best providers I have worked with.
About the Marketing Executive Level 4 Apprenticeship
The Marketing Executive Level 4 Apprenticeship will transform your marketing team with three internationally recognised CIM awards, level up your marketing Executives / Assistants / Officers and give them the skills to execute impactful marketing campaigns with ease.
What they’ll learn:
Planning Integrated Campaigns
Discover how to design innovative, customer-centric marketing campaigns and apply the latest digital marketing techniques to establish long-term customer loyalty.
Search Engine Optimisation
SEO is all about optimising website content to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results pages. Learn how to increase brand visibility, implement SEO best practices and create successful paid search campaigns for your organisation.
Social Media Marketing
Level up your social media skills and learn how to create impactful social media campaigns that get noticed. Know how to implement a multi-channel social media plan that converts and drives sales.
Responsible Marketing
Explore the significant role marketing plays in an organisation’s ethical, responsible, and sustainable decision-making. Adapt your marketing activities to meet sustainability and commercial goals.
Content Marketing
Become proficient in crafting content that converts. From content curation to copywriting, you’ll learn how to design effective content plans, use AI and extend value to support your marketing activities.
Marketing Impact
Dive into the marketing environment, customer behaviour, market research and the marketing planning process. Learn the core marketing foundations to set your organisation up for success.
MarTech
Update your marketing toolbox with the latest marketing technology, AI and digital marketing tools. Get the best out of your digital applications to support your marketing campaigns.
Join our next Level 4 Marketing Apprenticeship cohort, starting soon!
Have questions? Book a call with our Head of Business Growth, Anne Wilson MBE: annewilson@whyychange.com
