Executives from South Africa visited Oxfordshire to discover how management development programmes from the UK, including Investors in People and Modern Apprenticeships, can help their companies stay ahead of the game.

The team visited the local Learning and Skills Council, based at Abingdon Science Park, to explore the benefits of the Investors in People standard.

Beverly Chisnall, managing director of Oxford Management Services, based in Great Milton, helped organise the trip.

She said: "Its aim was to extend and develop their knowledge of workforce and business development, with the expectation they could adapt and take back some of the practices that work in the UK.

"The South Africans thoroughly enjoyed their time here, and some of the group are extending their trip to carry out research projects."

The group also visited BMW Group in Cowley, which runs a model Modern Apprenticeship programme.