'Look after your customers, and look after your people': Northern Ireland family-run motor group leads awards as founder receives lifetime honour
Shelbourne Motors takes home two major titles, while founder Fred Ward receives Lifetime Achievement Award at ceremony celebrating the best of Northern Ireland’s motor trade
Family-run Shelbourne Motors was among the standout winners at the Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards 2026, taking home the Dealer Group and EV Dealer titles, while founder Fred Ward received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
More than 500 of the region’s motoring professionals attended the black-tie gala at the Crowne Plaza Belfast on Friday where 23 awards were presented.
Supported by headline sponsor Used Cars NI, the awards recognised the businesses and individuals setting the benchmark for quality, innovation and customer service across the industry.
Fred Ward’s Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by GardX, recognised his outstanding and lasting contribution to the automotive sector throughout his career.
Reflecting on his career and the evolution of the business, Fred said: “In January 1973, I bought a single filling station on a country road in County Armagh. From that one forecourt, we laid the foundations for what is today one of Northern Ireland’s leading family-run motor groups.
“More than five decades on, seeing the business now run by my children gives me incredible pride, but the core values we built it on have never changed: look after your customers, and look after your people.
“I am very grateful to receive this award and to share this moment with my family, our team, and industry colleagues.”
Roadside Garages also enjoyed a double success, winning Franchised Dealer and Customer Service (Franchised).
O’Loughlin Bros secured two awards, taking Employer Excellence and Inspirational Female for Joanna McLean.
There was a strong showing from the independent sector, with Family Cars NI named Large Independent Dealer, Empire Autos NI taking Medium Independent Dealer and Cobra Cars NI winning Small Independent Dealer.
MB Motors and Car Brothers NI shared the Used Vehicle Dealer award, while Fusco Vehicle Sales and iGen Autos were joint winners of Customer Service (Independent).
There were also joint winners in the Sales Team category, with J.K. Car Sales and Car Brothers NI sharing the title.
Robert Nosal of J.K. Car Sales was named Sales Manager, while Aimee McNeill of MB Motors won After Sales Manager. Greg Mitchell of Greg Mitchell Motors took Dealer Principal/General Manager, and Desmond Motors won After Sales Team.
Elsewhere, Pat Kirk won Marketing Campaign, GSF Car Parts took Community Campaign and Fleet4U was named Leasing Company.
The next generation of industry talent was also recognised, with Toby Cowan of Magee Automotive named Rising Star, Jack Harvison of The NI Bodystop winning Apprentice and Cathal Cowan of The Car Nerd taking the Automotive Technician award.
Emma Marley, CEO of Used Cars NI, continued: “We were delighted to support this year’s awards again and to see so many deserving winners. It’s inspiring to see the passion across Northern Ireland’s motor industry, and the evening was a great celebration of it.
“The atmosphere in the room was electric. Congratulations to every finalist and winner.”
Sandy Burgess, head judge, explained: “The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, and the number of joint winners shows just how close the judging was.
“What stood out was the focus on customer care and on investing in people, from apprentices to long-serving team members. Congratulations to everyone who made the shortlist.”
Valerie Ludlow, CEO of ASG and founder of the awards, added: “Congratulations to all our winners and finalists. With so many joint winners and close categories, the competition has never been tougher.
“Now in our fourth year, the awards are bigger than ever, and we’re proud to keep celebrating the people and businesses who drive this industry forward.”
Joining headline sponsor Used Cars NI and associate sponsor City Auction Group in supporting the 2026 awards as category sponsors were AbbeyAutoline, Autoguard Warranties, Cool FM, Dealer in a Box, EMaC, Enterprise Mobility, Eskimo Lead Management, First Response Finance, GardX, GSF Car Parts, Momentum Warranties, Northridge Finance, PML Group, PurpleRock, The Formula, Transport Training Services and Warranty Solutions.