Blackburn dealership boss makes history with awards double

By Richard

01 Mar 2013

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.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Richard

Latest news

1

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

2

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

3

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

4

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

5

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin