Vertu Motors will launch its own graduate recruitment programme in 2011.

The aim is to recruit four graduates and place them on a programme combining an MSc in automotive retail at Loughborough University and a development programme within the business.

Four places are available to be based in Bromley, Dunfermline, Birmingham and Derby.

The aim is that by the end of the third year the graduate will have experience of both sales and aftersales and then specialise in one area of the business.

The first six months will place the graduates in sales executive and service advisor roles within the sponsoring dealership. One graduate has already been recruited and three more are to be recruited over the next two months.

Robert Forrester, Vertu chief executive, said: “As a growing group, determined to be a success over the long term, it is vital we develop talented, driven and mobile managers, who can take the group to the next level.

“This is a major investment, but we are convinced this is a necessary step. We are delighted to be partnering with Loughborough University and supporting the business school and its automotive retail specialisation.

“If our industry is to be successful and innovative, we need to ensure that we have a variety of backgrounds for our managers and a graduate programme must play a part in this.”