Mercedes-Benz Vans and learning and development agency RTS Group has been recognised by the British Excellence in Sales Management Awards (BESMA).

The companies won the Sales Development Programme of the Year Award at the Institute of Sales Management’s BESMAs for its Van Talent programme.

The programme was created in partnership by both companies and was put together to attract and nurture new talent for the sales division of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK dealerships.

The Institute of Sales Management (ISM) represents sales professionals in the UK and internationally.

Simon Snowdon, RTS Group’s Van Talent programme and development consultant, said the award was a great tribute to the success of the programme, which has now been running for five years and so far attracted more than 80 people.

He said: “We worked with Mercedes-Benz Vans to create the programme to help attract new, talented people into van sales who hadn’t worked in the automotive sector before.

“We start two cohorts each year, and the programme takes two years to complete. It’s been very successful, and our cohorts have comprised people from all walks of life; we have graduates, people who’ve worked in retail, and a former traffic warden.”

Each person on the programme has a business manager as well as a dedicated Mercedes-Benz mentor. They have to complete practical assessments and a business improvement project. At the end, the graduates attain recognised qualifications – a C-Sales accreditation from Daimler and an ISM level 3 in sales management.

Vikki Aitchison, training manager, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said: “We are very proud of the Van Talent Development programme and to have received an award is testament to the hard work that went into creating the training.

“Watching the cohorts completing the programme is a great reward and we enjoy following their career within the dealer network.”