Retailers gathered at London’s 8 Northumberland Avenue yesterday for the 17th Auto Trader Retailer Awards. This year marked the introduction of two brand new categories, New Car Retailer of the Year, and the Woman of the Year.
Around 150 retailers attended and 30 retailers received accolades for their customer service, digital excellence, innovation, commitment to sustainability, and for successfully adapting to challenges.
Auto Trader’s CEO, Nathan Coe, said: “The Retailer Awards are a genuine highlight for us in the calendar as it’s an opportunity to celebrate the very best in automotive retailing.
“Winning these awards is tough, it’s independent, its data and fact based, and it’s unbiased, so even to be among this year’s shortlist is a huge achievement, particularly in a market that’s not been easy this year.
“The only constant in our industry is change and so it’s a privilege to come together and celebrate the retailers who continuously evolve and adapt and who take every challenge as an invitation to innovate.”
The winner of the first ever Auto Trader Woman of the Year was Kate Carter, Head of Truck Sales, at eStar Truck and Van. This year’s finalists were Verity Cornelius, General Manager, Bristol Street Motors Sunderland, and Samantha Platt, Aftersales Director, Acorn Motor Group.
Coe said: “I’m especially proud that this year we’ve introduced the Woman of the Year category, recognising the many exceptional women who are so integral to the success of our industry.
“We believe all businesses are better for having high levels of diversity which is why we believe it’s so important to recognise women and other groups that are currently underrepresented, so that they might inspire others to join what is a massive and important industry in the UK.”
Retailer of the Year, was awarded to a number of businesses. JMC Used Cars (under 50 cars), Alexanders Prestige (50-100 cars), and Group 1 (over 100 cars) won in the car category, whilst Agnew Volkswagen Van Centre (under 20 vans), Clark Commercials (20-50 vans), and Van National (over 50 vans) lifted trophies in the van category.