A Bingley-based company has just notched up an important national first.

Driver Hire Group Services Ltd is currently the only company in the country to have two executive chartered directors on the board.

The pair are John Bussey, the company's chief executive and Chris Holmes, the finance and administration director.

The Institute of Directors qualification recognises the individual excellence and professionalism of company directors.

It has taken Mr Bussey and Mr Holmes three years to reach the required standard.

Mr Bussey said: "We had to undertake a series of modules on business strategy, finance, marketing, human resources and director liabilities."

The pair also faced a tough interview by a panel of Institute of Director assessors and had to put together a portfolio of experience to demonstrate their practical ability to run a successful business.

Established in 1983, Driver Hire Nationwide supplies temporary and permanent workforce to the road haulage industry.

Steady expansion has seen the company grow into a national operation with more than 90 offices covering the whole of the UK and Northern Ireland.

Mr Bussey added: "The Institute's aim is to advance professional standards.

"That's what being a chartered director is very much about."

Chartered directors must complete 30 hours of documented professional development training every year in order to retain their charter status.