In a prestigious ceremony at the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry on Thursday last week, presided over by comedian and actor Charlie Baker, the Service Dealer Awards, which are organised by TurfPro's sister magazine, were were presented to winning dealers from around the UK.

The categories and winners were:

PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Etesia. Presenting Award: Les Malin, managing director

Winner - Gibson's Garden Machinery, Colne, Lancashire

Andrew Melville, Scott Grieve and Mark Lewin with Les Malin, plus Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r)

The judges said, "This excellent dealership has a real focus on customer satisfaction with a genuine customer-first approach. Their commercial clients are quick to praise their extensive product knowledge, their desire to make sure customers have the right kit for the right job and importantly, their speedy responses to make sure downtimes are minimised."

Finalists - Double A Trading Company Ltd, Cupar; Sharrocks Ltd, Wrightington, Lancashire

GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Husqvarna. Presenting Award: Kevin Ashmore, Husqvarna Professional UK Manager

Winner - Winchester Garden Machinery, Liss, Sunningdale & Winchester

Jason Nettle with Kevin Ashmore plus Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and comedian host, Charlie Baker (r)

The judges said, "In a very competitive category that had four finalists, this well established dealership had demonstrated a determination to keep focussing ahead whilst making some tough decisions on the way."

Finalists – Cutting Edge Machinery Ltd, Bromsgrove; F.G Adamson & Son.East Riding of Yorkshire; Revill Mowers, Coleford, Gloucestershire

FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Kramp. Presenting Award: Neil Benbow, Field Sales Manager

Winner - Lister Wilder, Eight branches across Southern England

Colin Puffett, Ian Nutt and Alan Haines with Neil Benbow plus Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r)

The judges said, "A highly thought of business established in 1947. Over the last few years they have been growing the dealership demonstrating a commitment to invest in training and innovation. The judges felt that they had also shown consistency in tough trading conditions by improving internal efficiencies and are now looking ahead more than ever."

Finalists – Arwel's Agri Services Ltd, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire; Ripon Farm Services, Ripon; Turney Fieldforce, Bicester & Princes Risborough

FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Ibcos Ltd. Presenting Award: Adam Giles, Account Manager

Winner - Buxtons Limited, Stafford

Neale Hopley with Adam Giles plus Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r)

The judges said, "This dealer shows diversity as well as a specialism in Arboraculture as they were a finalist in the garden machinery category last year. The judges liked the digital approach, putting customers’ feedback and members of staff foremost. Customer feedback submitted was outstanding."

Finalists - Gayways Ltd, Harrow, North London; Winchester Garden Machinery (Forest & Arb), Liss, Sunningdale & Winchester

ATV / QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Honda Power Equipment. Presenting award Andrew Parr, Sales Operations Department Manager

Winner - MKM Agriculture Ltd, Bedford & Suffolk

Anthony Deacon with Andrew Parr plus Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r)

The judges said, "This ATV dealer really stood out through their amazing customer feedback submitted and multiple nominations from manufacturers and logistics suppliers. They are expanding and have come a long way since three friends started the business in 1987."

Finalists - Hayes Machinery, South Molton; Turney Group, Bicester & Princes Risborough

STAR OF THE DEALERSHIP

Sponsored by Catalyst Computer Systems. Presenting Award: Mike Cameron, Sales Manager

Winner - John Rowland, Engineer, Turney Groundforce, Bicester & Princes Risborough

John Rowland with Mike Cameron plus Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r)

The judges said, "After 40 years, this year’s winner is still dedicated to the dealership and service department. He picked up a Master Technician award in May this year and continues to show dedication through his work and work ethic. Despite this he is always ready to help others as he is the 'go to' person in the dealership."

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Kubota UK. Presenting Award: Martin Tyler, Business Development Manager

Winner - Ifan Davies, Arwel's Agri Services, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire

Ifan Davies and Martin Tyler plus Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r)

The judges said, "This year’s Apprentice of the Year has progressed extremely quickly over the last 12 months and is already being let loose on bigger ag equipment like forage harvesters. He works at an evolving dealership who believe in progressing several apprentices at once despite being located remotely."

OVERALL DEALER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Kramp. Presenting Award: Des Boyd, sales director

Winner - Winchester Garden Machinery

Jason Nettle with Des Boyd and Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r) celebrating their Overall Dealer of the Year win

The judges said, "This year’s overall winner is an established name in our dealer community. The next generation are managing the company forward and have recently made some big decisions in regards to direction and strategy as well as utilising the traditional ways alongside modern routes to market."

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD

Presented by Service Dealer founders, Chris and Trish Biddle

Winner – Brian Sangster, recently retired from BAGMA

Chris and Trish Biddle with Brian Sangster (centre) plus Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and Charlie Baker (r)

Chris Biddle said, "This industry depends on those who embrace the whole fabric of our sector, those who go the ‘extra mile’ for the benefit of the whole industry - and that is certainly the case with the recipient of tonight’s winner.

"Brian Sangster went from High School in Cupar to Elmwood Agricultural College. He started his working career in 1972 as a Lecturer in Agricultural Machinery at Galashiels College of Further Education. In 1978 he joined dealer Reekie at Stirling, becoming Group Service and Warranty Manager. He was with Reekie for 37 years, retiring (with a small R) in 2015.

"An active member of BAGMA, he was appointed National President in May 2015, a post which he held for 4 years instead of the usual 2-year term. Handing over to Peter Arrand at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

"But that has not meant he put his feet up. Brian now is:

• A STEM Ambassodor
• A judge of the Innovation Awards at the Royal Highland
• Chairs the BAGMA Scottish group
• Is Chairman of the LE-TEC Management Group
• Is BAGMA representative on the BIRA Board of Management."

Chris also quoted BAGMA MD Keith Christian, who said, “Brian has been the busiest and most involved President I have known during my time at BAGMA. He is modest, hardworking and a wonderful ambassador for dealers in particular and the industry as a whole. A real Unsung Hero."