Fifteen managers at South West Media Group are celebrating passing professional qualifications.

They have obtained Levels 3 or 4 in Business Management through a scheme run in conjunction with the Intec Business College.

It is the fifth year SWMG has seen senior staff complete NVQs at this level, following a combination of in-house coaching with regional training manager Sue Griffiths and regular meetings with Intec’s team of assessors.

The qualifications, awarded by the Chartered Management Institute, are a nationally recognised benchmark of good management skills.

The successful staff are employed in a variety of departments across SWMG, which produces The Herald, Western Morning News, Herald Express and Express and Echo as well as the chain of 'thisis' websites.

SWMG managing director Duncan Currall said: "We are delighted that another group of our managers has achieved these qualifications.

"We are committed to investing in the training of our staff and are constantly reaping the benefits of their increased management skills."

The successful candidates were: Level 3: Steve Grant, Rhys Barrett, Kerry Forbes, Janet King, Adam Priddy, Mark Stevens, Sarah Small, Tracy Baker, Sara Raine, Sarah Tout, Caroline Lee, Sarah Shelley and Karen Drayton.

Level 4: Clare Jardine, Karen Drayton and Marie Smith.