Chippenham-based specialist training supplier Mazda Academy has promoted Toni Horner to team leader.
Toni, pictured, joined the business six years ago, not long after it had been set up by learning and development agency RTS Group to be the premier staff learning and development supplier to Mazda’s UK dealerships. 
Toni performed a number of roles at the academy before graduating to project co-ordinator and then project manager. Her greatest success has been in managing the acclaimed New to Mazda programme for all its new customer-facing staff.
A way of immersing recruits in the brand, it comprises a day at Donington racetrack where delegates drive the cars, have a hot-lap with a professional driver, acquire technical knowledge and learn some of Mazda’s history.
As team leader, Toni now helps oversee the smooth running of the academy, which is headed up by Carl Gregory. She said: “I love working with the academy and I am really looking forward to being part of the team to take it to the next level. New to Mazda is going brilliantly, as is our leadership programme People@Mazda, and our new initiative Talent@Mazda.”
Carl added: “I would like to congratulate Toni on her new role. Toni is the longest-serving member of the academy and is a wonderful example of how great talent can grow with a business. She has tremendous knowledge of how the Academy works and is an excellent ambassador who embodies all our core values.
“I am confident that she will excel in the team leader role and bring a fresh and energetic approach to the exciting developments we have ahead of us. Our aim is for our flagship leadership programme People@Mazda to be formally recognised as the best in the industry.
“It is achieving significant returns on investment throughout the Mazda dealer network and for it to continue to develop it requires a strong support team with the clear leadership which Toni brings.”
RTS Group was founded in 1989 and has been providing learning and development services to the automotive industry for 25 years including across Europe, the Middle East, China and South Africa. It also works with Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Nissan, as well as running Mazda’s training academy.
