Shelbourne Motors founder Fred Ward honoured with lifetime achievement award at Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards 2026
Co Armagh businesses delivered a standout performance at this year’s Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards 2026, securing seven prestigious titles across Portadown and Craigavon, headlined by a Lifetime Achievement Award for Shelbourne Motors founder Fred Ward.
More than 500 of the region’s motoring professionals attended the black-tie gala at the Crowne Plaza Belfast, where 23 awards were presented.
Supported by headline sponsor Used Cars NI, the awards recognised the businesses and professionals setting the benchmark for quality, innovation and customer service across the region.
Shelbourne Motors, based in Portadown and Newry, was the standout winner of the night, taking Dealer Group and EV Dealer, while founder Fred Ward received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by GardX, recognises an individual who has made a profound and lasting contribution to the automotive industry throughout their career.
Reflecting on his remarkable career and the evolution of the business, Fred Ward shared: “In January 1973, I bought a single filling station on a country road in Co 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.”
There was a strong showing from the independent sector in Craigavon, where Empire Autos NI won Medium Independent Dealer and Cobra Cars NI was named Small Independent Dealer. GSF Car Parts, also in Craigavon, won Community Campaign.
The next generation of talent was also recognised, with Jack Harvison of The NI Bodystop in Portadown named Apprentice.
Emma Marley, CEO of Used Cars NI, said: “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, said: “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, said: “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 Northern Ireland Motor Industry 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 Group.