Irfan Khan, a technician at BMW dealer Hexagon of Highgate, has become the 7,000th person to gain the IMI’s Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) standard.

Khan has worked at Hexagon since 2003 and commenced his apprenticeship there the following year. He achieved his accreditation at service maintenance technician level at the BMW Group Academy UK near Reading.

He is one of over 500 BMW technicians who have gained ATA accredited status since the scheme, was launched in June 2005. Nine technicians at Hexagon now hold ATA accreditation.

Khan was presented with a certificate of achievement from BMW UK and a cheque for £200 from the IMI by Steve Nash, aftersales director for BMW UK and chairman of the IMI’s executive board.

Sarah Sillars, chief executive, Institute of the Motor Industry, said: “As the number of accredited technicians grows, reaching this milestone shows the progress made by the industry to promote and recognise technical competence and ethical behaviour.

“To ensure we have a respected retail motor sector in the future we need highly capable young people like Irfan who can demonstrate their commitment to raising standards.”