Excitement is building following their selection for the course last week. Pig producer and AgriSkills Forum chairman Richard Longthorp said: "The standard of applicants is a credit to both the industry and the business in which they work.

"We have some fantastic talent and I have no doubt the 2012 PMDS group will carry the banner of professionalism in the pig industry with as much distinction as their predecessors. The industry is indeed in good hands."

The first PMDS, which began in 2010, surpassed all the pig managers’ expectations. It developed their people skills and confidence and led to major improvements on farm, from staff motivation to better conception rates and reduced piglet mortalities.

Course leader Alistair Gibb of Cedar Associates said: "For 2012 we have, once again, a good cross-section of candidates. There is a great mix of experience, business size and diversity of roles to stimulate ideas and discussion."

The successful candidates are:

• Sophie Howe, Writtle College, Essex
• Kathryn Mutimer, BQP, Suffolk
• Jason Ashford, Mutimers, Norfolk
• Simon Ashley, Bawsey Pigs, Norfolk
• Andrew Sankey, Shropshire
• Philip Payne, Henson Farms, Wiltshire
• Harry Heath, M&J Heath, Shropshire
• Tony Wright, Shedden Farms, Yorkshire
• Nick Baird, Greenway Farms, Buckinghamshire
• Anna Davis, BPEX, Warwickshire

Managers will attend a number of training sessions during the 18-month course. Each will kick off with an evening presentation focusing on a particular sector of the industry, followed by a day of management training delivered by Cedar Associates. Plus, there will be work-based projects relevant to the manager’s current role.

On successful completion of the course, managers will gain a nationally-recognised qualification from the Institute of Leadership and Management.

For more about the Scheme, please click here.