Snows Motor Group Chairman presented with Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Stephen Snow at the 2025 Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards – often described as the Oscars of the motor trade.

Mr Snow – praised by awards judges for his remarkable business leadership skills – heads up one of the UK’s busiest and most successful car dealer groups.

With a network spread across southern England, the company works with some of the world’s most famous brands and operates a number of showrooms in Portsmouth representing manufacturers such as BMW, MINI and Mazda.

The Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards, held each year at The Brewery in central London, are hosted by the TV star and automotive industry legend Mike Brewer.

In welcoming Mr Snow to the stage, Brewer described him as ‘‘a remarkable leader who has enjoyed a remarkable career’’ and said he had spent many decades immersed in the automotive industry, becoming one of its most respected figures.

Brewer added: ‘‘Our winner grew up within the family business, watching it evolve from its early days in the 1960s into the major motor group it is today. Since taking the helm nearly 20 years ago, he has guided the company through a period of significant expansion.

‘‘He is a passionate advocate for developing people and has launched many talent programmes that have helped shape the next generation of automotive leaders. Just as importantly, he has ensured the business remains connected to its communities – supporting charities, youth programmes and local good causes.’’

Mr Snow was naturally delighted to receive the award – eight years after it was posthumously awarded to his late father Geoff, who founded Snows more than 60 years ago.

He said: ‘‘This is a terrific award – thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to receive this without the team that works for Snows and that’s been the same for many years now.

‘‘Without having good people around you, and that team working as hard as it does to achieve success, I wouldn’t be standing here today. To be holding this fantastic award just a few years after my late father received the same honour makes me feel very humble.’’

James Baggott, founder and editor-in-chief of Car Dealer Magazine, said: ‘‘The judges had little difficulty in selecting Stephen Snow to be the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was on stage eight years ago to collect the trophy in memory of his late father and it seems fitting that he has gone on to win it himself after a long and distinguished period of service to the automotive industry. Many congratulations.’’

As well as recognising outstanding individuals within the UK automotive industry, thousands of automotive retailers, plus MOT testing stations and workshops, enter the Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards every year. Each one undergoes a rigorous judging process and mystery shopping test before the gongs are handed out.