Lookers technician Ben Allcorn at Mercedes-Benz of Brighton has been named Technical Apprentice of the Year at the brand’s awards ceremony.

Sytner Group’s Ashley Donnithorne at Mercedes-Benz of Bristol won Parts Apprentice of the Year.

On the commercial vehicle side, Lan Dempsey, from Road Range Commercials Deeside, won ‘Technical Apprentice of the Year’ and Sytner’s Ashley Donnithorne from Mercedes-Benz of Bristol won  Parts Apprentice of the Year .

Helen Taylor, apprentice programme operations manager, Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “The awards recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to the programme, continuously showing commitment, dedication, hard work and passion for the brand.”

The winners will receive work experience with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team in the lead up to the British Grand Prix.

Both winners and nominees – Jack Sawford, Nathan Snell and Peter Birkett – were also presented with a Mercedes-Benz watch.

Mercedes-Benz dealers have been increasing the recruitment of apprentices by 30% year-on-year.

The Mercedes-Benz Apprenticeship Academy was put in place to develop young people for the brand’s UK car dealer network in order to support succession planning and growth aspirations.

The academy has a 96% achievement rate with 70% of the graduates still in the dealer network after 10 years. The programme has seen over 1,500 graduates since it was established in 1995.