Bentley Strengthens Its Brand Presence in Europe with Appointment of Footballer Cody Gakpo as Ambassador

Bentley Strengthens Its Brand Presence in Europe with Appointment of Footballer Cody Gakpo as Ambassador

(IN BRIEF) Bentley Motors has named footballer Cody Gakpo, who plays for Liverpool FC and the Netherlands national team, as its new ambassador for the UK and Europe. Gakpo, already a Bentley enthusiast, designed a custom Bentayga Speed with the Mulliner team and currently drives a Bentayga S Black Edition. He shares Bentley’s dedication to excellence and craftsmanship, values he also credits to his family and upbringing. The partnership highlights Gakpo’s personal connection to the brand and his philanthropic work in Togo, where he supports youth and community initiatives. Bentley described the partnership as a union of “elite athletic performance and automotive mastery.”

(PRESS RELEASE) CREWE, 12-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Bentley Motors has announced the appointment of internationally acclaimed footballer Cody Gakpo as its new brand ambassador for the UK and Europe, marking the start of a collaboration that celebrates performance, precision, and excellence. The Liverpool FC and Netherlands national team forward, admired for his discipline and determination, embodies the qualities that have defined Bentley’s heritage of craftsmanship and high-performance engineering for over a century.

Gakpo’s appointment strengthens his existing relationship with Bentley, as he has long been both a passionate admirer and customer of the marque. Earlier this year, he visited Bentley’s Crewe headquarters, where he witnessed the meticulous artistry that goes into each vehicle and even tried his hand at stitching a steering wheel. During the visit, he met with Phillip Dean from Bentley’s Mulliner team to design a custom Bentayga Speed, featuring a distinctive Rubino Red exterior with Pillar Box Red and Beluga interior, reflecting his Liverpool team colours. The vehicle will be delivered in 2026.

Gakpo currently drives a Bentayga S Black Edition V8 in Royal Ebony Satin, detailed with Mandarin and Beluga interior accents—a nod to his Dutch heritage and national team, “Oranje.” In a heartfelt gesture, he also purchased a Bentayga for his father in the Netherlands, crediting him as his lifelong inspiration.

Nicola Brown, Head of Marketing EMEA at Bentley, welcomed the partnership: “This collaboration marks a moment where elite athletic performance meets automotive mastery. We are thrilled to welcome Cody Gakpo as our ambassador for the UK and Europe. He perfectly mirrors Bentley’s pursuit of excellence and dedication to craft.”

Expressing his pride, Cody Gakpo said: “Growing up, my parents always showed me what hard work really means. Gifting my dad his Bentayga was a full-circle moment and a way of saying thank you for everything he’s taught me. For me, Bentley represents family, ambition, and the idea that hard work pays off. Becoming an ambassador for Bentley Motors EMEA is an incredible honour, and I hope to drive a Bentley for the rest of my life.”

Beyond the pitch, Gakpo is known for his philanthropic efforts. Each year, he visits Togo, his father’s homeland, where he supports community projects, youth education, and sports initiatives. He also hosts an annual football tournament to promote empowerment and opportunity among young people.

Gakpo joins Bentley’s growing network of creative collaborators and brand advocates, including Lucien Laviscount and external creative directors Mai Ikuzawa and Greg Williams, who together embody Bentley’s evolving vision of performance, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Media contacts:

Wayne Bruce
Chief Communications and D&I Officer
wayne.bruce@bentley.co.uk

SOURCE: Bentley Motors