Winners on the 2026 IMI Annual Awards this week included Daisy Moore, an apprentice early in her profession with JCT600’s Doncaster Audi, and Eddie Hawthorne, the previous chief executive of Arnold Clark Automobiles.
The IMI’s black tie annual dinner at London’s Intercontinental Hotel welcomed several hundred guests from all segments of the motor retail industry who watched on as honours were presented to individuals and businesses for his or her contributions to the past, present and way forward for the sector, before hearing an inspirational life story from racing driver and LGBTQ+ activist Charlie Martin.
Eddie Hawthorne, who stepped down as chief executive last yr, was presented with The Sue Brownson Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and immense support for the automotive sector during his 27 years leading Arnold Clark, helping to shape the industry’s skills development and workforce diversity.
The Apprentice of the 12 months Award winner Daisy Moore was lauded for her resilience and dedication while learning, mentoring peers and enhancing team morale while excelling academically and achieving distinctions in all her end point assessments. She has overcome challenges to consistently produce prime quality work and has represented her employer on the Houses of Parliament. Moore also won an IMI bursary.
Hollie King, who combines a passion for motorcycle drag racing which has earned her national and European championships along with her studying in a level 2 llight vehicle maintenance course at Bridgwater College, received the Learner of the 12 months Award.
Former Nissan and Aston Martin global executive Dr Andy Palmer CMG received the President’s Award from professor Jim Saker for his outstanding contribution to the motor industry.
This yr’s honorary fellowship of the IMI was awarded to Daksh Gupta. The previous Marshall Motor Group chief executive and current non-executive chairman of Hendy Group, who has been a vice chairman of industry charity Ben and vice chairman of the IMI, was given the very best lifetime recognition offered by the Institute of the Motor Industry to acknowledge his remarkable achievements in business performance and growth and his exemplary dedication to people, industry ethics and stewardship. “His contributions have left a long-lasting legacy on professionalism, culture and wellbeing of the automotive sector,” the IMI said.
Kia UK’s people and organisation director Gemma Bembow was presented with the Inspiring Automotive Woman of the 12 months Award, in partnership with Automotive 30% Club, in recognition of her strategic vision and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion which has reshaped the culture of the organisation. A passionate advocate for gender equity, she encourages the industry to think in another way, act boldly, and lead with empathy.
Other winners included:
- Partner of the 12 months Award: Inspiro Learning
- Championing Inclusion in Automotive Award: Apprentice Support Hub – Emtec Nottingham College
- Contribution to the Work of the IMI Award: Pro-Tech MOT & Automotive Academy
- International Partner of the 12 months Award: Belron Group
IMI chief executive Nick Connor said: “The judges were truly blown away by the achievements, dedication and skill of this yr’s nominees, making the duty of choosing winners incredibly difficult and highlighting the extraordinary talent that exists across our sector.
“Each of our individual winners represents the best possible of automotive, demonstrating exceptional commitment to their roles, their colleagues and the broader industry. The organisations recognised are also playing an important role in empowering and developing the long run automotive workforce, setting the benchmark for excellence through their leadership, commitment to inclusion, and continued support for the work of the IMI. Together, they’re helping to drive progress and futureproof the industry.”
Winners of the Inspiring Automotive Women Awards were:
- Aliscia Burrows, diversity and inclusion manager TrustFord
- Alyx Gregory, head of business operations and leasing Carwow
- Charnjit Saranna, co-founder and chief operations officer EZOO
- Clare Bradley, industrial director motor Close Brothers Motor Finance
- Emma Johnson, director marketing Toyota (GB) Plc
- Gemma Benbow, people and organisation director Kia UK
- Gemma Tomlinson-Reynolds, head of retail change implementation and communication Halfords
- Georgia Spybey, panel technician Solus
- Hannah Yates, head of resourcing Autotrader
- Harriet Glover, regional director Motus Commercials DAF
- Heidi Physick, chief people officer Oodle Automotive Finance
- Holly Tuffnell, TPS regional performance manager VW Group UK
- Katie Martin, customer experience director Group 1 Automotive
- Kayleigh Smithers, group HR director Johnsons Cars and Brayleys Cars
- Lisa Jay, Range Rover programme chief JLR
- Lorraine Dodd, ISIT director Renault UK
- Lottie Roberts, operations director Direct Affinity CX
- Mandisa Gordon, finance business change manager JLR
- Sarah Greaves, director of business finance Lithia UK
- Sarah Sillars OBE HonFIMI, c-suite and board advisor
- Sian Hall, UK people director Lithia UK
- Vicky Clarke, head of rental operations Zenith Vehicles
- Vicky Gardner, retail group sales director Cox Automotive
- Vikki Chauntry-Brooks, CMA general manager Vertu Motors
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
