A bodyshop manager at dealer group DM Keith has become one of the first graduates within the automotive repair sector to complete a management and leadership postgraduate course.

Simon Duckworth (pictured) has achieved a postgraduate level seven diploma in strategic management and leadership.

One of seven graduates, Duckworth achieved the qualification over two and a half years, studying in his spare time, whilst working full time.

The initiative, known as Impact 2015, was the first of its kind in the industry.

“This has being a life changing experience for me," he said.

"Not only have I up-skilled immensely, it has changed me as a person for the better.

“We have so much talent in our sector that doesn’t get the opportunity to be pushed to this level and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity.

My own ability and how I attack any challenge is now very different to what it was three years ago. I cannot recommend further education highly enough and would personally like to thank my sponsors”.

“This has being a life changing experience for me, not only have I up skilled immensely, I can honestly say it has changed me as a person for the better, we have so much talent in our sector that doesn’t get the opportunity to be pushed to this level and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity.

“My own ability and how I attack any challenge is now very different to what it was 3 years ago. I cannot recommend further education highly enough.”

The course is essentially two thirds of a master of business administration (MBA), and Duckworth plans to continue studying with his fellow graduates for a further 18 months to achieve this accolade.

Impact 2015 cohort tutor and driving force behind the achievement of the scholars was Dr Linda Lee-Davies (pictured), consultant chief executive of London Academy Business School.

She said: "The cohort have been an absolute pleasure to work with and I have seen first-hand the level of senior leadership talent hidden within the motor trade. What a fine example to others leading the way forward. I look forward to supporting the group as they continue to move ahead."

Beginning in April 2013, students tackled modules including: professional development for strategic managers; developing strategic management and leadership skills; strategic human resource management; strategic marketing management; managing financial principles and techniques; strategic change management; managing corporate responsibility in the wider business environment; strategic supply chain management and logistics; research methods for strategic managers and, finally, a 10,000 word plus submission on project development and implementation for strategic managers.