Pitman Training is celebrating being recognised as a 'Superbrand' in the prestigious league table charting the UK's strongest brands, for the 4th consecutive year.

In results announced this week, Pitman Training, share the bill with Apple, British Airways and Google, in the Business Superbrands list, which showcases the UK's strongest B2B brands.

Pitman Training has been synonymous with office based training since Sir Isaac Pitman invented shorthand in 1837. Originally focusing on training secretaries, today the internationally franchised business with over 100 UK centres and sites globally including the Cayman Islands, and Russia, now supports students looking to advance their careers across a diverse range of subjects including paralegal and digital marketing.

Pitman who were once described by Winston Churchill as "without equal in the whole world", helps thousands of students each year progress their careers through tailor-made study programmes and Diplomas with one to one support, as well as via online courses, and short seminars to help top up skills. During 2016 Pitman rolled out a new online student campus, updated their website and created an e-reader app to illustrate their commitment to digital progression.

Superbrands commission independent research and their annual league tables are based on the opinions of marketing experts, business professionals and thousands of British consumers. Their definition of a superbrand is as follows: "A Superbrand has established the finest reputation in its field. It offers customers significant emotional and/or tangible advantages over its competitors, which customers want and recognise."

Pitman Training, who has been recognised in the Executive Education,Training & Development category of the 2017 Superbrands, this year celebrates 180 years as a training provider.

They are currently running their SuperAchievers Awards to help showcase employees and employers internationally who go the extra mile to contribute to local business economies, supporting colleagues and their industries, whilst juggling family life. Nominations are now open and anyone can enter at www.pitmansuperachievers.com

Claire Lister, MD of Pitman Training said:"We are delighted to feature as a Superbrand once again. Our appeal continues to grow both nationally and internationally and it's so exciting to see the British brand born by Sir Isaac Pitman is so well regarded globally. We are proud to have helped generations of people find their potential and the Pitman Training Diploma is still one of the most highly regarded qualifications employers look for on a CV. We are also very conscious of being a highly relevant brand in today's business climate and are constantly investing in new technologies and developing new courses that ensure the brand is going to continue to add value for years to come"

She added: "I believe a great brand ensures both customers and non-customers know what to expect from it and understand clearly what it offers. I truly believe Pitman achieves this".

The annual Business Superbrands survey is independently administered by The Centre for Brand Analysis (TCBA). Brands do not apply or pay to be considered; rather, the selection process is conducted as follows:

> TCBA researchers compile lists of the UK's leading business-to-business brands, drawing on a wide range of sources, from sector reports to blogs to public nominations. From the thousands of brands initially considered a final shortlist is created. For 2017, just over1,100brands were shortlisted for Business Superbrands.

> The shortlist is scored by an independent and voluntary Expert Council, which is assembled and chaired by TCBA's chief executive. The council is refreshed each year. Bearing in mind the definition of a Business Superbrand, the council members individually award each brand a rating from 1-10.

> The remaining brands are voted on by the consumers of those brands: business professionals, defined as those who have either purchasing or managerial responsibilities within their organisation. Accessed via an SSI online panel, just over 1,900 individual business professionals were surveyed.