Bentley Announces Up to 275 Jobs at Risk in Restructure

Bentley Motors, the luxury carmaker based in Crewe, Cheshire, announced on Thursday that up to 275 jobs are at risk as part of an organizational restructure aimed at enhancing long-term competitiveness and operational efficiency. The proposed cuts, affecting about 6 percent of the company's 4,600-strong workforce at its Pyms Lane headquarters and factory, target management, agency staff, and non-manufacturing roles, sparing production-line positions.

The announcement came alongside Bentley's report of its seventh consecutive year of profitability, though operating profits fell 42 percent to 216 million euros (about 186.6 million pounds) on revenue of 2.25 billion euros. Company officials attributed the decline to a challenging global market, including higher costs from changes at parent company Volkswagen Group, a 42 million euro (36.3 million pounds) impact from U.S. tariffs, and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Customer deliveries dropped 5 percent last year, driven by market contraction, particularly in China.

Of the 275 positions, 150 employees face potential redundancy, with consultations set to last four to six weeks. The remaining 125 roles are expected to be...