The group’s own new year honours pay tribute to star cars, which have most impressed members, and the PR office stalwarts who go the extra mile.

Southern Group Happenings: November 2025

The SGMW annual awards, the first of the year, give group members the chance to recognise achievements in the world of motoring from manufacturers, PR teams and individuals.

Once again, we had a good turnout of members voting. Some classes were very close which added to the excitement as the votes came in and were counted.

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “It’s been another action-packed, full-on year so choosing the winners is no mean feat. It’s our way of showing how much we appreciate all the efforts made by manufacturers and their hard-working teams.

”This is the ninth year we have run these awards and we are delighted they have gone from strength to strength and are seen as reward for being on the road to success. Everyone likes to see their hard work recognised and we appreciate the efforts of manufacturers and the PR teams and look forward to driving their exciting new models.”

The full results for the SGMW New Year Honours 2026, with some opinions from members, are:

BEST PR NEWCOMER – someone who made a special impact in liaising with the media during the past year and is either new to the industry PR scene or has taken on a new role/position.

Winner – Christian Tilbury (Renault UK)

“Christian has hit the ground running in what has been a busy time for Renault, launching Scenic, Symbioz, updated Captur and Austral, new 4 and 5, and preparing for the arrival of new Twingo and Clio in 2027. He impresses for doing what he says he is going to do, always replying to e-mails or phone calls and, more importantly, he’s a thoroughly decent and approachable guy.”

BEST PR OFFICE – awarded to the operation consistently delivering the best all-round or forward-thinking service to SGMW throughout the year.

Winner – Kia UK

“Once again the excellent team at Kia has excelled itself in ensuring members of the SGMW have comprehensive access to their cars, both new models and heritage.”

THE SGMW OBE (OPERATING BEYOND EXPECTATION) – for acting above and beyond the call of PR duty during the past year. It can be for consistent high performance, a memorable one-off effort or a thoughtful gesture towards one of our members caught in a bind.

Winner – Simon Branney (Genesis Motor UK, now Geely Auto UK)

“Simon Branney, for tirelessly being brilliant, making other people in the PR look as though they’ve been caught napping and being an excellent PR advocate.”

“Simon Branney for his exceptional support of the SGMW, notably at our Heritage Day but also in being a consistent supporter of the Karting GP (even though he can’t race for sticky toffee pudding!).”

‘DARK HORSE’ OF THE YEAR – a car that surprised SGMW members, either by its arrival or just how good it was.

Winner – Hyundai INSTER

“Fantastic attention to detail both inside and out, genuine fun to drive.”

“This small electric car packs a lot of space and appeal, making it a big contender in the EV market.”

ONE TO WATCH – the car that SGMW members most look forward to driving in the coming year.

Winner – Honda Super-N

“Honda is yet to find its feet in the EV world, but the Super-N is a loveable kei car that’s set to have a practical battery range as well as a sensible price.”

SGMW CAR OF THE YEAR

Winner – Renault 5 E-Tech

“Renault nailed the brief completely – fantastic retro styling, great tech and it drives very well like a supermini should – all at a competitive price.”

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD – to honour someone who has given extraordinary service to the automotive industry, a particular manufacturer or been a very special friend to SGMW.

Winner – Gary Cuthbert, Ford Motor Company

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “I couldn’t think of a more deserving person for this year’s Chairman’s Award, having worked for Ford Motor Company for untold years and delivering a fabulous service to journalists when arranging press cars. Gary Cuthbert retired from Ford last May and is already greatly missed from our side of fence, and no doubt internally too. No doubt he has spent the summer in his motorhome without having to worry about work. Happy retirement Gary, and thanks so much for everything you did to keep the wheels turning.”

SGMW SOUTHERN STAR – for the group member who has done most for the organisation or its profile or done something praiseworthy or beyond the call of duty.

Winner – Ben Hodges

“Ben is consistently supportive at all levels, and proactive in advancing the SGMW’s goals.”

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The SGMW annual awards, the first of the year, recognise the outstanding efforts of manufacturers, PR teams and individuals who excelled bringing new models to the market and helping SGMW members over the past year.

Southern Group Happenings: November 2024

The awards are voted for by SGMW members, many of whom have experienced the new cars at manufacturer launches and driving days, and attended the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) north and south test days.

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “It’s been another packed 12 months, with an unprecedented number of new electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, diesel and petrol cars launched on to the market for our membership to sample.”

He added “The Southern Group of Motoring Writers is not only the largest regional group in the country, it’s also the most active and hard-working.”

The full results for the SGMW New Year Honours 2025, with some opinions from the voting members, are:

BEST PR NEWCOMER – someone who made a special impact in liaising with the media during the past year and is either new to the industry PR scene or has taken on a new role/position.

Winner – Melissa Lodge (Genesis Motor UK)

“Melissa is the kind of PR wizard who could organise a car launch on the moon and still have time to make sure the canapés are out of this world. She’s an absolute star — brilliantly efficient, a joy to work with and effortlessly professional, all while keeping things fun. Genesis is lucky to have her, and so are we!”

Runner-up – Thomas Davis (Isuzu UK)

BEST PR OFFICE – awarded to the operation consistently delivering the best all-round or forward-thinking service to SGMW throughout the year.

Winner – Kia UK

“Kia, unquestionably. The Kia team just delivers, every time.”

“Kia UK once again. Kia has held bespoke driving days and events for SGMW members to try out the company’s latest cars and has one of the friendliest bunch of people in the business!”

Runner-up – Genesis Motor UK

THE SGMW OBE (OPERATING BEYOND EXPECTATION) – for acting above and beyond the call of PR duty during the past year. It can be for consistent high performance, a memorable one-off effort or a thoughtful gesture towards one of our members caught in a bind.

Winner – Vince Clisham (Fiat and Abarth)

“Vince Clisham at Abarth for giving up his seat on the plane and ensuring every journalist made it home when British Airways overbooked a flight.”

Runner-up – Simon Branney (Genesis Motor UK)

‘DARK HORSE’ OF THE YEAR – a car that surprised SGMW members, either by its arrival or just how good it was.

Winner – BYD Seal U

“The BYD Seal U is quite a refreshing change from the plethora of all-electrified cars now coming in from China. It drives really well, it’s exceptionally well put together, with smooth interior finishes, it’s comfortable and, thankfully, no traditional whine from the battery either. Looking at value for money, the BYD is worth the cash outlay.”

ONE TO WATCH – the car that SGMW members most look forward to driving in the coming year.

Winner – Renault 5 E-Tech

“Retro design done right. And a truly desirable hatchback when others offer only crossovers and SUVs.”

“What’s not to like? Brilliantly retro, stylish and hi-tech cabin, impressive range and competitively priced. A winner!”

SGMW CAR OF THE YEAR

Winner – Alfa Romeo Junior

“Alfa Romeo’s new Junior is truly brilliant to drive. In Veloce form, it’s the best-performing Alfa this side of a Giulia Quadrifoglio. More than that, it’s the best-handling hatchback that Alfa has ever made, including the Alfasud. With the Junior, Alfa Romeo shows that it’s still possible to buy a compact car that’s fun to drive – a car you can get truly passionate about.”

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD – to honour someone who has given extraordinary service to the automotive industry, a particular manufacturer or been a very special friend to SGMW.

Winner – Dale Wyatt, Suzuki GB director of automobile for the UK and Ireland

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “Dale Wyatt has been an exceptional pillar of the motor industry, leading Suzuki for 18 years when he retires in March. He has been a huge supporter of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers, and we will be sad to see him pass the baton on.

“Dale’s wellbeing and health are of the utmost importance and this will give him time to himself away from the corporate world. When I decided to award Dale the Chairman’s Award, I couldn’t think of a better, or more deserving, candidate.”

SGMW Southern Star

Winner – Ben Hodges

“Always on top of publicising the group, keeping track of everyone’s work and getting the SGMW word out there on social media.”

The post SGMW 2025 NEW YEAR HONOURS AND THE WINNERS ARE… appeared first on Southern Group of Motoring Writers.

It has been another difficult year for the motor industry so the coveted, keenly-fought awards, now in their sixth year, will be a great start to 2023. The successful cars, manufacturers and PRs are revealed on January 1.

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “It’s hard to believe this is the sixth year that we have presented our New Year Honours.

“Our annual awards, for star cars and pro-active PRs, survived the Covid pandemic, which severely affected the motor industry and new model launches, and have gone from strength to strength since their original launch.

“They have become a high point of the motoring calendar for manufacturers and PRs. With the successful cars and contestants announced on January 1, it is a great start to the new year.

“Hopefully, our awards will be the first of many successes for them.

“More and more electric vehicles are among the contenders but, even so, you can never dismiss some of the excellent petrol and diesel models that also make up the fascinating field.”

The winners of the eight tightly-fought categories, voted for by SGMW members, will be announced on January 1, 2023.

Here’s a reminder of the awards up for grabs and the 2022 winners and runners-up:

Best PR Newcomer – awarded to someone who made a special impact in liaising with the media during the past year and is either new to the industry PR scene or has taken on a new role/position.

• 2022 runaway winner – Milissa Ordona (Senior events co-ordinator, Kia UK)

The SGMW OBE (Operating Beyond Expectation) – for acting above and beyond the call of PR duty during the past year. It can be for consistent high performance, a memorable one-off effort, or a thoughtful gesture towards one of our members caught in a bind.

• 2022 winner – Simon Branney (Head of PR and communications, Genesis Motor UK)
• 2022 runner-up – Jess Grimditch (Press officer, Suzuki GB)

Best PR Office – awarded to the operation consistently delivering the best all-round or forward-thinking service to SGMW throughout the year.

• 2022 winner – Toyota
• 2022 runner-up – Kia UK

Best in PR Innovation – awarded for an unusual or particularly excellent launch, driving route, or any imaginative addition to an event of the PR year in general.

• 2022 winner – Suzuki’s 100^th anniversary all-products launch in Cardiff
• 2022 runner-up – Kia EV6 launch

Dark Horse of the Year – a car that surprised SGMW members, either by its arrival or just how good it was.

• 2022 winner – Fiat 500 Electric
• 2022 runner-up – Kia EV6

One to Watch  – the car that SGMW members most look forward to driving in the coming year.

• 2022 winner – Volkswagen ID. Buzz
• 2022 runner-up – Tesla Model Y

SGMW Car of the Year

• 2022 winner – Kia EV6, pictured top
• 2022 runner-up – Skoda Enyaq

SGMW Southern Star – for the group member who has done most for the organisation or its profile or done something praiseworthy or beyond the call of duty.

• 2022 winner – Andy Russell

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