From graduate trainee to Maxol CEO: Brian Donaldson honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award..'It is an incredible honour'
Recognised for four decades of visionary leadership and innovation, Donaldson’s award celebrates his pivotal role in transforming Maxol into a modern, customer-focused retail brand at the heart of communities across Ireland
Maxol, Northern Ireland’s leading family-owned forecourt and convenience retailer, enjoyed a standout evening at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.
CEO Brian Donaldson was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Maxol SPAR Belvoir took home the title of Forecourt of the Year (Category 2).
“It is an incredible honour to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Brian. “This accomplishment is not just mine, but a reflection of the commitment of the Maxol team along with the steadfast support of the McMullan family.
"I take immense pride in what we continue to accomplish together as we continue to grow our network across the island of Ireland while retaining our position as a family-owned business, firmly rooted in the heart of the community.”
Approaching almost 40 years with Maxol, Brian Donaldson began his journey with the company in September 1986 as a graduate trainee and has since played a key role in developing its retail network, maximizing non-fuel income streams, from building food partnerships with Mace and SPAR to introducing Maxol’s own convenience concept in the Republic of Ireland with proprietary brands, ROSA coffee, Maxol Deli and private label range.
Brian has been at the heart of Maxol’s transformation from a traditional fuel provider to a convenience-led retailer through continuous innovation across their forecourts and in-store and by adopting new technologies to create a brilliant customer experience across Maxol’s 248 sites across the island of Ireland. Last year, Brian was awarded the NACS Industry Leader of the Year Award, in recognition of his impact on the industry.
Adding to an already memorable evening, Maxol SPAR Belvoir was awarded Forecourt of the Year – Category 2, a year after opening its doors in October 2024, following an investment of £3.6 million.
The site was reconfigured with a new forecourt and large new convenience store, with a brand-new Delish Deli and self-serve Chicken Bar, expanded Barista Bar offering, in-store bakery and seating area.
The award-winning store also showcases Maxol’s sustainable forecourt design, featuring solar panels, solar-efficient glazing, LED lighting, low-energy CO₂ refrigeration systems, heat pump technology, and an advanced energy management system to monitor and control energy use on-site.
The judges commended the store for its exceptional standards. They said: “Defined by its excellence, this location offers every imaginable service for vehicles and customers alike. The forecourt and pump area run with precision, perfectly supported by a conveniently organised and fully stocked store. Across all aspects, this operation sets a new benchmark for quality and service.”
Brian continued: “I’m delighted that Belvoir has won the Forecourt of the Year – Category 2, just a year after reopening. It is operated by Henderson Retail under licence, and this achievement is a true testament to their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Brendan and the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”
Billy Moore, Group finance director at Henderson Group which owns the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland added: “We are delighted for Maxol SPAR Belvoir and Brian Donaldson’s wins at the NR Awards. Henderson Group has a fantastic relationship with Maxol, growing and building our company-owned estate alongside independent retailers who are seeking a trusted and known brand to provide quality and value for their shoppers.
"Maxol SPAR Belvoir has been an impressive addition to the Maxol SPAR estate since reopening after a major renovation last year to create a premium service station offering, and this award is very much deserved for the whole team.”
Northern Ireland’s most prestigious retail awards are presented annually and showcase the very best of retail in Northern Ireland by rewarding excellence and entrepreneurial spirit, recognising achievement and raising industry standards.
The record number of entries received across 18 categories are independently judged by industry specialists Spotcheck NI.