Winners of The Motor Ombudsman’s 2026 Star Awards were revealed on Friday in a special ceremony which recognised their remarkable work in delivering exceptional customer service.
The Star Awards recipients ranged from franchised dealers such as Roadside Garages Kia in Coleraine and Vertu Honda in Exeter to independent garages such as QCD Autocentre at Brackley and AJ Fleetcare in Leeds.
The trophies were presented during a special event at the prestigious St Ermin’s Hotel in Westminster which also marked 10 years since The Motor Ombudsman was launched to drive up standards in the motor retail and repair industry and to provide alternative dispute resolution services for aggrieved consumers.
Now in their seventh year, the Star Awards invite consumers to shine the spotlight on Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses and individual team members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during their vehicle purchase and ownership experience, whether these are one-off or repeated acts of altruism and kindness. The annual accolades comprise the Regional Star Awards for vehicle retailers and repairers and the Customer Service Star Awards for OEMs and warranty providers.
After entries were scored by The Motor Ombudsman’s team in part one of the judging, a shortlist of finalists was then considered by a panel of judges, including The Motor Ombudsman’s chief ombudsman Bill Fennell, Automotive Management’s editor Tim Rose, the DVSA’s head of vehicle policy and engineering Neil Barlow and Kerry Nicol, external affairs manager at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, who were all looking for the highest levels of exceptional care and service from entrants.
2026 Regional Star Award winners and finalists
| AWARD | WINNER | FINALISTS |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Manufacturer | Matthew Leek at JLR | Jasmine Harris at Mazda Motors UK, and Jennifer Russell at Hyundai Motor UK |
| Vehicle Warranty Provider | Warranty Solutions Group |
Caery Brandreth at Warranty First, and The Motoring Organisation
|
Napoleon Garage at Bradford, and Speed Industries at Chester
The event also culminated in a new addition, of the Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Delphi, which recognises an individual from a Motor Ombudsman-accredited business who has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to customers, colleagues and the wider automotive sector.
Its inaugural winner is Graham Clark, co-founder of the Anderson Clark Motor Repairs independent garage in Inverness. He retired this year following a career spanning almost 50 years in the motor trade, and he championed the importance of high standards of work and service, professionalism and customer care.
Under his leadership, the business was one of the first to be accredited to the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair when it launched in 2008 under The Motor Ombudsman’s predecessor, Motor Codes, and the garage has consistently adhered to the code ever since.
This unrelenting commitment to quality workmanship, investment in people, and putting customers first, has seen the business nominated on several occasions for a Star Award since 2020, with Anderson Clark, now employee-owned, emerging victorious in 2024 with the regional trophy for Scotland. In addition, Clark has been a dedicated ‘ambassador’ of The Motor Ombudsman, consistently championing the value of the organisation to both consumers and businesses, has helped shape the Code of Practice as it has evolved, and played an integral role in providing valuable counsel at The Motor Ombudsman’s Independent Garage Forum.
Presenting the award, Bill Fennell, managing director and chief ombudsman at The Motor Ombudsman, explained: “Graham is a hugely deserving recipient of our first Outstanding Achievement Award. Throughout his distinguished career, he has demonstrated values that ring true with committing to a Motor Ombudsman Code of Practice – namely integrity, transparency, excellence and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing for customers.
“His dedication to raising standards, supporting his team and building a reputable independent garage business, has earned him significant respect within the industry. We are delighted to recognise Graham’s achievements, and the positive impact he has had on generations of motorists and colleagues alike.”
On being named the winner of the trophy, Graham Clark (pictured) said: “It was a complete surprise and a real honour to receive The Motor Ombudsman’s Outstanding Achievement Award. As I start my retirement, I am extremely proud of what I’ve achieved during my career and as a business, and I couldn’t have done any of this without the fantastic support of my wonderful team, and The Motor Ombudsman over the years.”
Clark added: “I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic team, and to serve loyal customers who have supported us throughout the journey. This award means a great deal to me, and it is the perfect way to complete a fulfilling and enjoyable career in the motor trade. I leave the business in the very capable hands of the highly experienced managing director Neil Johnstone who will no doubt take Anderson Clark to even greater success.”