Marketing and Business Development Apprentice Review
at Pinsent Masons LLP
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Marketing
London
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I am a Marketing and Business Development Apprentice at Pinsent Masons, where I support a range of marketing, business development and digital activity across the firm. My role involves rotating through different teams, which allows me to gain broad experience across areas such as digital marketing, brand, content, research, CRM and PR, while developing core professional skills alongside my apprenticeship studies.
On a day‑to‑day basis, I support the creation, updating and optimisation of marketing and client‑facing content, including website pages, colleague profiles and thought leadership articles. This often involves working with tools such as Sitecore, PowerPoint and digital content platforms, as well as ensuring content is accurate, on‑brand and aligned with business objectives.
I also assist with business development activity, such as updating CRM data, supporting campaigns, helping with client communications, and contributing to projects that improve visibility, engagement and client experience. This includes supporting SEO and AI search optimisation initiatives, analysing content performance, and working with stakeholders to implement improvements.
A key part of my role is collaborating with colleagues across different teams and seniority levels, attending meetings, taking actions forward, and communicating progress clearly. I regularly adapt to new teams and priorities, manage deadlines, and document my work for my apprenticeship duties and portfolio.
On a day‑to‑day basis, I support the creation, updating and optimisation of marketing and client‑facing content, including website pages, colleague profiles and thought leadership articles. This often involves working with tools such as Sitecore, PowerPoint and digital content platforms, as well as ensuring content is accurate, on‑brand and aligned with business objectives.
I also assist with business development activity, such as updating CRM data, supporting campaigns, helping with client communications, and contributing to projects that improve visibility, engagement and client experience. This includes supporting SEO and AI search optimisation initiatives, analysing content performance, and working with stakeholders to implement improvements.
A key part of my role is collaborating with colleagues across different teams and seniority levels, attending meetings, taking actions forward, and communicating progress clearly. I regularly adapt to new teams and priorities, manage deadlines, and document my work for my apprenticeship duties and portfolio.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy my programme to a large extent. I find it valuable because it gives me real, hands‑on experience across different marketing and business development teams, rather than being purely academic. I particularly enjoy working on practical projects, collaborating with different stakeholders, and being able to see the impact of my work in a professional services environment.
That said, there are elements I find challenging at times, such as balancing work demands with study requirements and adapting quickly to new teams during rotations. Overall, though, I find the programme rewarding and motivating, and I feel it is helping me build strong skills and confidence for my future career.
That said, there are elements I find challenging at times, such as balancing work demands with study requirements and adapting quickly to new teams during rotations. Overall, though, I find the programme rewarding and motivating, and I feel it is helping me build strong skills and confidence for my future career.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, I’ve learnt a lot and developed a wide range of skills. I’ve built new skills in areas like digital marketing, content optimisation, CRM systems, and professional communication, while also strengthening existing skills such as organisation, teamwork and stakeholder management. Seeing how these skills are applied in a real working environment has been one of the most valuable parts of the programme.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is generally well organised and structured, particularly in terms of having clear learning outcomes, support from managers, and defined rotations that allow me to experience different areas of the business. There is a clear framework around the apprenticeship requirements, which helps me understand what I need to evidence and develop over time.
At times, the structure can feel less clear when moving between teams, as each seat works slightly differently and priorities can change quickly. However, this has also helped me become more adaptable and organised. Overall, the programme provides a solid structure while still offering flexibility and real‑world experience
At times, the structure can feel less clear when moving between teams, as each seat works slightly differently and priorities can change quickly. However, this has also helped me become more adaptable and organised. Overall, the programme provides a solid structure while still offering flexibility and real‑world experience
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from my employer. While I am currently in the process of seeking an ADHD diagnosis, the firm has been very understanding and supportive in helping me explore and access the support I need. Early Careers have been approachable and proactive, and have supported me in having open conversations about what adjustments might be helpful.
On a day‑to‑day basis, my line managers are also very supportive. Whenever I have any issues or need guidance, they are always available and willing to help, whether that relates to workload, development or wellbeing. Overall, I feel well supported by both Early Careers and my managers throughout the programme.
On a day‑to‑day basis, my line managers are also very supportive. Whenever I have any issues or need guidance, they are always available and willing to help, whether that relates to workload, development or wellbeing. Overall, I feel well supported by both Early Careers and my managers throughout the programme.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive good support from my training provider while working towards my qualifications. As I work in a professional services firm rather than a consumer‑based company, they have been accommodating and flexible in recognising how my role differs from more traditional marketing environments.
They have been helpful in making adjustments where needed and in supporting us to align our day‑to‑day work with the requirements of the marketing programme. This has made it easier to evidence my learning, apply course concepts in a relevant way, and get the most value out of both the academic and workplace elements of the programme.
They have been helpful in making adjustments where needed and in supporting us to align our day‑to‑day work with the requirements of the marketing programme. This has made it easier to evidence my learning, apply course concepts in a relevant way, and get the most value out of both the academic and workplace elements of the programme.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel that my qualification helps me perform better in my role to a good extent. It gives me a solid foundation in marketing principles and frameworks, which helps me understand the reasoning behind the work I do day‑to‑day, rather than just completing tasks. This has been particularly useful when working across different teams and adapting to new areas of marketing and business development.
While not all elements of the qualification directly map onto a professional services environment, the core knowledge is still relevant, and the flexibility shown by the training provider to tailor assessments means I can apply what I’m learning in a practical and meaningful way. Overall, it supports my development and helps me approach my role with more confidence and understanding.
While not all elements of the qualification directly map onto a professional services environment, the core knowledge is still relevant, and the flexibility shown by the training provider to tailor assessments means I can apply what I’m learning in a practical and meaningful way. Overall, it supports my development and helps me approach my role with more confidence and understanding.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes, there are a range of extra‑curricular activities to get involved in at work. These include social events, internal networks, wellbeing initiatives and informal team activities, as well as opportunities to attend professional networking events and firm‑wide sessions.
There are also initiatives run by Early Careers and different teams that encourage wider engagement beyond day‑to‑day work, which makes it easy to get involved if you want to. Overall, there are good opportunities to socialise, network and feel part of the wider firm, alongside the core role.
There are also initiatives run by Early Careers and different teams that encourage wider engagement beyond day‑to‑day work, which makes it easy to get involved if you want to. Overall, there are good opportunities to socialise, network and feel part of the wider firm, alongside the core role.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Pinsent Masons LLP to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, I would recommend Pinsent Masons LLP to a friend. The firm offers a supportive and inclusive working environment, particularly for early‑career colleagues, and provides strong opportunities to learn and develop through real, meaningful work rather than just observation.
I’ve found the teams to be welcoming and supportive, with managers who are approachable and invested in development. The apprenticeship structure allows exposure to different areas of marketing and business development, which has helped me build confidence, practical skills and a clearer understanding of professional services.
Overall, it’s a good place to learn, ask questions, and grow professionally while feeling supported as an individual.
I’ve found the teams to be welcoming and supportive, with managers who are approachable and invested in development. The apprenticeship structure allows exposure to different areas of marketing and business development, which has helped me build confidence, practical skills and a clearer understanding of professional services.
Overall, it’s a good place to learn, ask questions, and grow professionally while feeling supported as an individual.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Pinsent Masons LLP?
I’d recommend being yourself and showing a genuine interest in the firm and the work it does. Pinsent Masons values people who are curious, proactive and willing to learn, so it helps to show enthusiasm rather than trying to give “perfect” answers.
I’d also suggest researching the firm properly, especially its sectors and the type of work it does, and thinking about why a professional services environment appeals to you. Being open to feedback and adaptable is really important, particularly because teams and priorities can change.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions and speak up about what support you might need. The firm is supportive, especially of early‑career colleagues, and showing self‑awareness and willingness to develop goes a long way.
I’d also suggest researching the firm properly, especially its sectors and the type of work it does, and thinking about why a professional services environment appeals to you. Being open to feedback and adaptable is really important, particularly because teams and priorities can change.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions and speak up about what support you might need. The firm is supportive, especially of early‑career colleagues, and showing self‑awareness and willingness to develop goes a long way.
