An international business specialist has passed a diploma with flying colours - after doing most of his studying on aeroplanes!

John Eustace, regional business area manager with Sheffield-based Dormer Tools International, has been awarded the Institute of Export's Diploma in International Trade (DIT) to add to his Advanced Certificate in International Trade (ACIT).
 
He studied four subjects over three years for the diploma and in one of them, Management of International Trade, scored the highest marks in the country. John received the Diploma at the Mansion House in London, home of the Lord Mayor of London.

John, who has worked for Dormer for 23 years, said: "It's been hard work finding the time to study and a lot of the work has been done on aeroplanes while travelling to visit customers in different parts of the world.
 
"The course takes you through all aspects of international trade from indirect exporting to wholly owned subsidiaries and gives real-life scenarios that call for decisions to be made, so it's been really useful in my day-to-day work.
 
"It also brings enormous confidence to know you have the knowledge to fall back on. Much of the course is about developing new business in virgin markets and that has proved to be very helpful.
 
"Dormer's international business continues to go from strength to strength and I am sure that the ACIT and DIT have been significant factors in our success."
 
The course was funded by Dormer and its parent company, Swedish-based Sandvik Group.

Lesley Batchelor, Institute of Export director general, added: "John's achievement is well deserved and reflects the accessibility and flexibility of the Institute's distance learning packages and the expert support from our tutors."