Exeter apprentice named first Apprentice of the Year at West Country Women Awards

An Exeter apprentice, who began her career at the University of Exeter aged 16, has been named the inaugural Apprentice of the Year at the West Country Women Awards.

Honor Lovell, now 24, received the award at a ceremony held at the Plaza Hotel in Plymouth earlier this month, attended by more than 350 guests from across the region. 

The new awards scheme recognises women making an impact across sectors including business, education, community work and apprenticeships in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.

Honor currently works as an Education Support Advisor in the University’s Degree Apprenticeships team and is completing a Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. 

She is the first person in her immediate family to progress to university-level study.

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Speaking after receiving the award, she said the recognition came as a surprise. “I really wasn’t expecting it,” she said. 

“The atmosphere was incredible – a room full of support, empowerment and inspiring stories from women across the West Country. It was emotional and a very proud moment.”

Honor’s route into higher education was not straightforward. After applying for A levels following her GCSEs, she decided the traditional academic route was not right for her.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my educational journey, but I was itching to step away from textbooks and be out in the real world,” she said. 

“An apprenticeship hadn’t occurred to me at first, but a family member mentioned the opportunity at the University and I applied.”

She joined the University of Exeter at 16 as a Level 2 Business Administration apprentice, describing herself at the time as “very nervous, unsure, lacking in self-confidence and feeling a bit lost”.

“I learnt a lot and I’m very grateful to everyone who took me under their wing, but also encouraged me and challenged me so I could grow,” she said.

Her progression through the apprenticeship pathway was rapid. 

By 17 she had co-presented the Exeter College Apprenticeship Awards, completed a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship at 18. 

At 21, she successfully interviewed for a management role within the University after previously declining the opportunity to cover maternity leave.

Honor later began a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship at 23, balancing leadership responsibilities with academic study.

“It’s tough – really tough – but it’s allowed me to expand my knowledge and feel more confident as a manager,” she said.

Honor said being the first in her family to go to university brought challenges, particularly around academic writing and confidence.

“I always felt like I had to work twice as hard to achieve the same results,” she said. 

“I also experienced a lot of imposter syndrome, looking around and thinking, ‘What am I doing on this course?’”

Earlier this year, Honor was identified as showing strong traits of ADHD, something she said helped her better understand her learning style.

“It made sense of why I struggled in certain areas,” she said. “Everyone is on their own journey – it doesn’t matter if someone is faster or slower.”

Honor said her confidence in leadership developed gradually, particularly after managing colleagues she had previously worked alongside.

“I realised I’d been a leader without the title before my promotion,” she said. 

“Supporting others comes naturally to me, and that helped form the foundation of my leadership style.”

She credits mentors at the University, as well as strong support from her family and peers, for helping her progress.

Now leading a team in her mid-twenties, Honor said she remains focused on supporting others. 

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved – it hasn’t been easy, but I enjoy being a manager because I can help people develop.”

Reflecting on the award, she said it was both personal and symbolic. “It’s evidence that I am good enough,” she said. 

“I’m especially proud to be the first apprentice to win.”

Honor said she hopes to use the platform provided by the awards to continue promoting apprenticeships across the region: “They’ve had such an impact on my life, and I hope to give back and support others considering a similar path.”

Winners of the West Country Women Awards will be invited to Westminster in February and offered further training and networking opportunities through the scheme.