The Accelerate Programme is a structured, three-year development pathway designed to give individuals a deeper understanding of the business while advancing their skills and knowledge. Over the past year, Ewan has taken part in this programme at The HEX Group, rotating through key departments across the organisation to gain hands-on experience in a range of business functions. Alongside this, he attends weekly university sessions and monthly on-campus webinars, combining academic study with practical workplace learning. This integrated approach has allowed Ewan to apply his learning in real-time and develop both professionally and personally. After completing his first year of the program, we caught up with Ewan to reflect on his experiences so far and to see what’s next on the horizon.

Ewan’s first rotation placed him in our sales department for 12 months. “Spending a year in sales has really deepened my understanding of how the business operates from a commercial perspective,” Ewan explained. “It’s helped me see how internal sales teams collaborate not only with customers but with other departments under strict timelines. It’s given me a new appreciation for the coordination that goes into every order.” Through off-site visits and day-to-day involvement with the sales process, Ewan was able to observe how our business decisions are shaped at various stages giving him a broader, strategic view.

Ewan also successfully completed his first year of university, covering modules such as Data Analytics, Management, and The Business Environment. The Accelerate Programme has been designed to align closely with the university curriculum, enabling Ewan to apply the academic theory he’s learning directly to real business challenges. This alignment between study and work has strengthened his understanding and helped him develop practical, transferable skills.

As someone who didn’t initially see himself as academic, Ewan shared how motivating it’s been to get positive feedback from university while also seeing the practical value of his learning. “Learning alongside my role has enabled me to apply new knowledge directly to my work, while also approaching business situations from a more informed and strategic perspective.”

With one year complete, Ewan is now preparing for his next set of rotations. With one year complete, Ewan is now looking ahead to the next stage of his rotations. He will spend time in Engineering, followed by a placement in Purchasing, and will also complete short-term placements at Alpha Manufacturing and Neptune. He’s especially looking forward to his time at Alpha Manufacturing, our key supplier, as the business plays a crucial role in supporting our other companies within The HEX Group.

Ewan’s journey is a great example of how The HEX Group supports personal and professional growth at every level from early careers to higher education and leadership development. As he enters his second year of the Accelerate Programme, we’re proud to see how far he’s come, and excited to watch him continue to thrive