Ricoh launches apprentice board to empower young talent and drive innovation

Ricoh UK, 12 August 2025 – Ricoh UK has launched its first ever apprentice board, a forward-thinking initiative designed to highlight young talent and integrate fresh perspectives into the company’s strategic decision-making.

The new apprentice board, which is made up of eight cohorts selected from across Ricoh’s diverse apprenticeship programmes, will act as an advisory body to Ricoh UK’s executive board and is designed to foster the next generation of Ricoh leaders.

Each apprentice board member will be paired with a senior leader from Ricoh UK’s executive board for mentorship, providing apprentices with exposure to leadership development and strategic decision-making. 

Chris Hopton, CEO of Ricoh UK and Northern Europe, commented: “Through the apprentice board, we are placing future leaders at the heart of our business, ensuring their ideas, energy and insights influence our growth vision and strategic direction. It’s a great way to cultivate innovation and fulfil our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels empowered to contribute their perspectives and make things happen.”

Membership will rotate as apprentices complete their individual programmes, ensuring a continual pipeline of fresh perspectives and providing the executive board with new insights on fostering innovation in key areas such as workplace culture, flexible working, sustainability, and technological advancement.

The launch of the apprentice board builds on Ricoh’s wider ethos of helping individuals achieve fulfilment through work, while reinforcing its commitment to developing future leaders by placing young talent at the core of its business operations.