Winners at the 2026 IMI Annual Awards this week included Daisy Moore, an apprentice early in her career with JCT600’s Doncaster Audi, and Eddie Hawthorne, the former 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 their contributions to the past, present and future of the sector.
Eddie Hawthorne, who stepped down as chief executive last year, was presented with The Sue Brownson Award in recognition of his 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 Year 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 high quality work and has represented her employer at 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 with her studying in a level 2 llight vehicle maintenance course at Bridgwater College, received the Learner of the Year Award.
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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 year’s honorary fellowship of the IMI was awarded to Daksh Gupta. The former 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 president of the IMI, was given the highest 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 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 Year 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 differently, act boldly, and lead with empathy.
Other winners included:
- Partner of the Year 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 Year Award: Belron Group
IMI chief executive Nick Connor said: “The judges were truly blown away by the achievements, dedication and skill of this year’s nominees, making the task of selecting winners incredibly difficult and highlighting the extraordinary talent that exists across our sector.
“Each of our individual winners represents the very best of automotive, demonstrating exceptional commitment to their roles, their colleagues and the wider industry. The organisations recognised are also playing a vital role in empowering and developing the future automotive workforce, setting the benchmark for excellence through their leadership, commitment to inclusion, and continued support for the work of the IMI. Together, they are helping to drive progress and futureproof the industry.”