Blackburn dealership boss makes history with awards double

A Blackburn car dealership boss is celebrating his second personal national accolade in less than seven months.

37-year-old Chris Eccles from Bowker BMW in Blackburn has been crowned Dealer Principal of the Year in the AM Awards this week at Birmingham's International Convention Centre.

In July last year, Chris beat off stiff competition from thousands of other car dealerships throughout the country to be crowned National Dealer Principal 2012 at the annual Motor Trader Awards.

It is the first time in history that one person has held both these prestigious awards at the same time.

Chris said: “The AM Awards are held in such high regard in the industry that to appear in the shortlist is a massive achievement. There were some outstanding car retailers attending the awards ceremony and it was an honour to be amongst them on such a prestigious evening.

“I can honestly say it hasn’t sunk in yet that we won. And it feels a little strange that it’s my name on the trophy. Because this has been a tremendous year for the whole Bowker Motor Group. We love success. But for us, success is about the customers having a brilliant retail experience and staff who look forward to coming to work in the morning. I can’t thank them all enough, and hope they can all take as much satisfaction from the AM award as we did!”

Bowker BMW was also shortlisted in the Excellence in Customer Service category for this year’s AM Awards. The Blackburn dealership was the only car dealership in Lancashire - and one of only two BMW dealerships in the country - to make it through to the national shortlists.

Last week, Bowker Motor Group marketing manager Amy Uphill was announced as the winner of the coveted BMW Marketing Champion of the Year award at the BMW National Dealer Conference in Helsinki.

And Bowker Motor Group has also been shortlisted in three categories for this year’s Red Rose Awards.

Bowker Motor Group chief executive Paul Bowker said: “Well done Chris. To receive both AM and Motor Trader awards in the same year is an historic achievement. We enjoy some incredible customer support here at Bowker and must thank them all for that. And we have a committed team of staff across the group who want to retail and service cars the right way.  I couldn’t be prouder and I think every one of them deserves the plaudits they are receiving. “We are delighted with the success Bowker Motor Group and its staff are enjoying at the moment. Our MINI and BMW dealerships in Preston and Blackburn - not forgetting our non-franchise Car Centres and the Bowker Ribble Valley Dealership - are all enjoying wonderful recognition from the motor industry.”