Aston Martin & former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand to inspire next-gen talent

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British car manufacturer Aston Martin has teamed up with former Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation (RFF) in a bid to inspire the next generation of talent.

With six Premier League titles, one Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup title to his name, Ferdinand, a lifelong customer and fan of Aston Martin, will also take on the role of Aston Martin Brand Ambassador.

RFF works to provide a pathway for youth development by inspiring young people and providing the tools they need to tap into their natural talents and reach their potential. For the next three years, the RFF will select one person per year to join the Aston Martin Apprenticeship Programme.

Says Ferdinand: “Since setting up the RFF in 2012, it has been a huge source of pleasure for me to see these young people make positive choices and create a good life for themselves and their families. I have always been a fan of Aston Martin so it’s an honour for me to become a Brand Ambassador but it is even more of an honour to be able to use this association to help the RFF inspire the next generation.”

Adds Dan Balmer, president of Aston Martin Lagonda UK & South Africa: “We’re delighted to welcome Rio as an Aston Martin Brand Ambassador and look forward to working with the RFF. Both Aston Martin and the RFF realise the importance of investing in people and I’m excited to see how the young people put forward by the RFF develop within Aston Martin.”

Earlier this month, 30 new apprentices started work at the Aston Martin Headquarters in Gaydon. Apprentices are given a full grounding across a range of Aston Martin’s business areas including manufacturing, CAD engineering and design, learning all the time from expert engineers and technicians.