Bentley Motors celebrates continued positive impact on regional and national communities in 2025

• As part of sustained community outreach, Bentley supported 144 charities and community groups nationwide, benefitting 18,506 people through the Advancing Life Changes Small Grants programme
• Funded ten local projects in Crewe and contributed to 14 collaborative grants aiding 5,607 beneficiaries collectively
• Strengthened community engagement through first ever charity thank you event, colleague giving campaign and continued support as a founding patron of Crewe Youth Zone ahead of 2026 opening

(Crewe, 16 December 2025) Bentley Motors has delivered another year of meaningful community impact through its Advancing Life Chances (ALC) strategy. In 2025, the company supported over 270 charitable projects and initiatives, partnered with 144 charities nationally and invested in 24 strategic local charity projects. Through these programmes, the strategy reached over 18,500 people, providing meaningful opportunities and advancing the life chances of young people and residents across Crewe and the UK.    

The Advancing Life Chances approach is delivered through two strategic charity partners: Cheshire Community Foundation (CCF) which manages Bentley’s local funds, and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) which oversees the national programme. Bentley colleagues also play an active role through participating in volunteering and fundraising initiatives demonstrating their commitment to making a tangible difference in the communities where they live and work.

Commenting on the programme’s success, Sally Hepton, Director of Government Relations and Sustainable Luxury at Bentley Motors, said:

“Supporting our local community through our Advancing Life Chances strategy is a vital part of our Beyond 100+ strategy and a key priority for me and for Bentley. It’s wonderful to see another year of projects delivering real impact through our programmes, locally and around the country. From food poverty and mental health support to youth services and financial wellbeing, our support reflects our ongoing dedication to creating opportunities for all."

Together these initiatives illustrate a collaborative approach to community investment that goes far beyond individual grants. By combining strategic local funds, crisis support, long-term partnerships and colleague led initiatives, Bentley is creating a network of support that responds to both immediate needs and future aspirations. Whether helping charities deliver essential services, enabling young people to access safe social spaces or strengthening organisations through sustained community efforts, Bentley forms a network of impact, one that places people, opportunity and resilience at its core.    

Further details of the programmes activities can be found below:    

National | Advancing Life Chances Small Grants Programme

Bentley’s Advancing Life Chances Small Grants programme is managed by the Charities Aid Foundation and plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable, disadvantaged and under-represented communities across the UK. By offering grants of up to £500, the programme enables small charities and grassroots groups to continue delivering essential services that directly respond to local needs. Beneficiary organisations consistently highlight the importance of this support: SOUL (Singing Outreach Unity Love) shared that “without it we would not be able to continue to reach so many people,” while Brain Tumour Support said the funding “enables us to plan our services for the coming year.” Sunshine Wishes Children’s Charity expressed appreciation for opportunities offered to grassroots organisations “to make a real difference in the community,” and the Smart Citizens Charitable Foundation described the programme as “a vital catalyst for community organisations addressing urgent local needs.” Smart Works Leeds added that the funding “makes a tangible difference, enabling charities to fund the work that really matters.” My Time Young Carers said that “We can give great thanks to The Bentley Advancing Life Chances fund for supporting a day’s activity for older young carers centring around building resilience and self-belief.”

Bentley’s work across Crewe and the wider UK reflects a long-term commitment to creating meaningful and measurable change in the communities it serves. Through a coordinated approach built around the Advancing Life Chances strategy, Bentley is not only funding vital services but strengthening the organisations that understand local challenges best. Bentley’s programmes are designed to remove barriers, improve wellbeing and build resilience for future generations.

Advancing Life Chances Crewe Fund

Bentley’s Advancing Life Chances strategy is delivered locally in partnership with the Cheshire Community Foundation (CFF) and supports local organisations delivering strategic projects. By distributing to ten local projects in Crewe in 2025, it benefitted over 4,295 people in the area:

• Hope4More: Delivers programmes to help young people reduce anxiety, build confidence, and re-engage with learning. Benefits include improved emotional wellbeing, stronger coping strategies, higher school attendance, and opportunities to participate in creative skills-building activities. Sheila Griffiths, Co-Founder of Hope4More, said: “This funding from Cheshire Community Foundation and Bentley Motors will help Hope4More support young people in Cheshire affected by anxiety and mental health challenges.”
• Cheshire Buddies: Bentley’s funding enabled 40 local disabled children to take part in regular activity clubs, helping them make friends, stay active, develop new skills and enjoy social time.
• Ruby’s Fund: Alison Parr, founder of Ruby’s Fund, stated: “This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of Bentley Motors. Their generosity has allowed our mobile sensory bus to reach more SEND children and families than ever before, helping us develop a unique and innovative collaboration that truly makes a difference in the community.”
• St Paul’s Centre: Jez Chalmers, Chief Executive, said: “There are so many households struggling at the moment but as we approach Christmas, we’re reminded of the importance of joyful sacrifice and of stepping into other people’s despair in an attempt to bring hope and light. We’re beyond grateful for the fact that you’re helping us do that to many households in the local community.”

Bentley Crisis Fund

The Bentley Crisis Fund is generated in support of five local charity partners and provides rapid aid for those facing urgent need. Funding created from Bentley’s first endowment fund generates interest which is used to donate to charity, providing sustainable support for urgent local needs including charities such as MyCWA, a charity supporting adults and children impacted by domestic abuse in Crewe.

Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie, CEO at MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse), said:

“We’re deeply grateful to Bentley Motors for their continued support. This funding will make a real and lasting difference for families and young people in Crewe who have experienced domestic abuse. Working alongside organisations like Bentley allows us to support people at the moment they need us most, and it’s this kind of collaboration that creates genuine, life-changing impact within our community.” 

The Crewe Fund

Managed by CCF, The Crewe Fund is a collaborative fund which pools resources from local businesses and donors to fund projects which tackle Crewe specific challenges. In 2025, the fund contributed to 14 grants aiding 1,312 beneficiaries an increase compared to 2024. The supported projects address needs including food poverty, mental health, youth services, disability inclusion and financial resilience. Funded organisations include YMCA Cheshire, Her-Place Charitable Trust, South Cheshire CLASP, Stoke Survivors Support Group, SMILE Group and Pennysmart CIC Ltd.

The Dome Youth Zone

Bentley is also proud to continue its support as founder patron of The Dome Youth Zone, set to open in 2026. The Dome will help local children and future generations to thrive providing a state-of-the-art facility, dedicated youth support and opportunities for young people in Crewe.

Christmas Gift Giving Initiative

Bentley colleagues are supporting local communities this Christmas collaborating with MyCWA, Pure Insight, and South Cheshire CLASP through a Christmas Gift Giving initiative. Managed by Bentley colleagues, dozens of Christmas gifts were donated to help spread joy and make a difference to vulnerable and young people in Crewe and the surrounding area. 

Payroll Giving and Employee Volunteering

Bentley’s employee payroll giving scheme has been awarded the Silver Standard by the Government Payroll Giving Quality Mark recognising the company’s commitment to charitable support. In addition, Bentley provides non-manufacturing colleagues with two paid days per year to volunteer with local charities and community projects reinforcing its dedication to making a tangible impact in the communities it serves.

Recognition for Outstanding Community Impact

Bentley’s community efforts in 2025 were recognised with a prestigious Global Gold ‘Green World Award’ highlighting its leadership in creating positive social impact. This was developed through volunteering, national and local charity programmes, crisis support and the work of its Colleague Charities Committee.

Thank You Event and Colleague Giving Campaign

As part of its commitment to supporting local charities, Bentley hosted its first ever ‘Charity Thank You’ event. This welcomed representatives from charities across Crewe to celebrate their lasting impact awarding three local charities “Relentlessly Extraordinary” awards in categories of People, Collaboration and Innovation.

- ENDS -