IN the shadow of the Tyne Bridge, National Car Rental area manager Steve Greenham is making history as the first recipient of a ground-breaking Fleet News Scholarship. The scholarship offers a paid-for one-year place - worth about £3,000 - to take a Certificate in Management (Automotive Industries) qualification on the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association's Professional Development Programme.

The course is the first step towards an MBA. Greenham, who works for National Car Rental in Newcastle, controls a team of 54 full-time staff and has worked for the rental giant for four years. He said: 'National Car Rental has been driving forward with training schemes and offered two funded places on a Professional Development Course, but I just missed out. Then I found out about the scholarship and applied. I want to use this to become the best I can be at my job.'

Fleet News will be featuring updates on his progress throughout the year-long scholarship, which began this month. Nora Leggett, the BVRLA's head of member services, said: 'For every group of students on an open start-up course on the BVRLA's Professional Development Programme, a Fleet News Scholarship is available. Steve Greenham was able to demonstrate significant resilience, confidence and focus to be awarded the first scholarship.'

For details on the scholarship and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association's Professional Development Programme, call Nora Leggett head of member services for the BVRLA, on 01494 545713.