Learning and development agency RTS Group is driving up its headcount and taking on four new staff members.

The new recruits at the Chippenham-based company, which specialises in developing automotive dealership staff, will be working in the teams supporting Mazda, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz.

Simon Snowdon has been appointed programme and development consultant, working primarily on the Mercedes-Benz Van talent programme.

Snowdon has 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry and started as an apprentice.

The Mazda Academy sees the appointments of Clare Campbell and Debra Pitchford.

Campbell has joined as learning and development lead consultant, running the learning and development team.

She has previously held a number of dealership roles before progressing into training.

Pitchford has become network leadership consultant, helping deliver Mazda Motor UK’s Challengers@Retail global cultural change programme in dealerships.

In her previous non-automotive career she designed and delivered bespoke sales and behaviours training, with performance coaching support.

The fourth new team member is Shaun Targett. He is a long-time associate of RTS Group, who has joined the company fulltime as a training consultant, working with Nissan and delivering learning and development programmes both in the classroom and in the workplace for the brand’s dealerships.

Targett replaces Jeff Barnard, who has retired after a long career in automotive, which included running two dealerships, one of which he set up himself. Barnard will remain as associate with RTS Group.

Malcolm Miller, managing director of RTS, said: “Automotive manufacturers understand the benefits of having staff in the dealerships who are passionate about their brands and who know how to enthuse their customers, and so drive up sales.”