Lookers celebrates highest achievers in annual Excellence Awards 2023

Lookers has celebrated 21 employees across the business as part of its annual awards at a special ceremony in Malaga, Spain.

The Excellence Awards are peer nominated, recognising the contributions made by standout employees across every area of Lookers’ business and 150 locations across the UK and Ireland.

The awards have been running since 2010 and this year saw almost 1,000 nominations working in a diverse range of roles from sales, servicing, customer service, finance, parts and more.

Around 80 finalists and scores of guests from across the group attended this year’s gala event.

It’s the second to be held since 2019 following last year’s gala ceremony in Paris – which was hosted by racing driver, broadcaster and journalist Amanda Stretton alongside Lookers’ chief executive officer Mark Raban and chief financial officer Oliver Laird.

Mark Raban, Lookers chief executive, said: “The strength of our success is built on the hard work, dedication and commitment to our customers which is demonstrated every day by individuals and teams across the UK and Ireland.

“We were thrilled this year to receive record nominations from every division and area of the business from employees who were keen to showcase the outstanding efforts of the people who make Lookers, and our Lookers family, the best in the industry.”

Frank Hodgkinson, a data architect from Lookers’ Charles Hurst division in Belfast secured the coveted ‘Above and Beyond’ award, recognising his dedicated service to the group for more than 17 years.

Matthew Barnes from Lookers’ Mercedes-Benz/Smart dealership in Eastbourne won the ‘Business Manager’ award, while head of group fleet Daniel Middleton took home the ‘Senior Manager’ award.

Ben Rowe from Volvo Stockport dealership was rewarded as ‘Aftersales Manager’ of the year. Adam Devoy from Lookers Ford in Leeds won the ‘General Manager’ award for 2023.  

Lookers group business development manager Andrew Hall was recognised for his long standing contribution to business success and obtained the ‘Lookers Life’ award for his 40-year service.

Others receiving an Excellence Award included Kenneth Crawford and Paul McNulty from Lookers Audi Glasgow, Meredith Stokes BMW / Mini in Stafford, Barry Jacques from Nissan Gateshead, Steven Bell from the Volume Customer Contact Centre, James Woodfinden of Stockport Kia, Eve Solomon in Nissan Leeds and Jennifer Carty in Lookers’ Head Office in Manchester. With Ryan McAllister Divisional Accountant, Paul Herriot Land Rover and Lynda Taylor from Fast Fit, all part of Charles Hurst in Belfast.

Matthew Bates Mercedes-Benz dealership in Stourbridge, Joshua Morgan from VRS in the Lookers Vehicle Solutions division, Sam Boulton and Mike Dalton from Ford completed the 21-award line-up for 2023.

Duncan McPhee, Lookers chief operating officer, said: “This year’s award winners represent just a small sample of our exceptional colleagues and wider team, and we were delighted to highlight their achievements as part of this important annual event.

“Their exemplary work and dedication are a true testament to the ambition, high standards, expertise and customer care which Lookers is renowned for, and I congratulate every winner and nominee who made it through to the final.”