Professional Driver Magazine December 2023 issue by Professional Driver Magazine

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 6 £4.95

The Champions

All the winners in our 2023 QSi and Car of the Year Awards

CAR OF THE YEAR

contents

COVER STORY A Night of Glory – all the winners at the 10th Anniversary 2023 Professional Driver QSi and Car of the Year Awards dinner 4

he 2023 Professional Driver T QSi Awards 12 Environment Award 14 Business Diversification Award 16 Marketing Award 18 Community Award 19 New-Start Business Award 22 Chauffeur Operator of the Year (1-10 vehicles) 24 Chauffeur Operator of the Year (11+ vehicles) 25 Private Hire [1-80] of the Year 26 Private Hire [81+] of the Year 28 Private Hire Group of the Year 30 Professional Driver of the Year 28 The 2023 Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards 32 Private Hire Car of the Year 34 MPV of the Year 35 Luxury SUV of the Year 36 Estate Car of the Year 37 Executive Car of the Year 38 Chauffeur Car of the Year 40 Professional Driver 2022 Car of the Year 42 All the winners at a glance

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 6 £4.95

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mark Bursa 07813 320044 markbursa@prodrivermags.com COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Paul Webb 07807 133527 paulwebb@prodrivermags.com

The Champions

All the winners in our 2023 QSi and Car of the Year Awards

CAR OF THE YEAR

ART DIRECTOR Alan Booth CONTRIBUTORS Ian Robertson, Glen Holder, Phil Rule, John Coombes, Phil Huff, Tim Barnes-Clay, Gary Jacobs, David Wilkins, Craig Thomas,

Kevin Willis, Peter Panayiotou, Mike Stone, Dennot Nyack, Dr Mike Galvin, Tim Scrafton WEBSITE Martin Coombes 01959 547000 COMPANY ADDRESS 50 Beechcroft Manor, Oatlands, Weybridge, KT13 9NZ SUBSCRIBE Curwood CMS Ltd, The Barn, Abbey Mews, Robertsbridge, TN32 5AD 01580 883844 subs@prodrivermags.com

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

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A decade of achievement

hen we launched the QSi Awards

back in 2013 we had a simple objective – to recognise the best of the best in the private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry, and to give the hard-working people in the industry a rare chance to let their hair down. One chauffeur emailed us after the first event, and from his note we knew we were on the right track. He wrote: “It was an evening to be proud of. An evening where we, at last, were not parked outside, but were the centre of attention. An evening when our long suffering wives, husbands and partners didn’t receive the ‘sorry, I have to work’ call. An evening where we celebrated the unique industry in which we work without waiting for someone else to decide what time the party finished.” By the way, we liked his style, so we hired Kevin Willis (for it was he) to write our insider column. And a couple of years later, he picked up a Gold QSi Award himself. A decade later, and judging by the reaction of our guests in Brighton last month, it’s pretty clear that what Kevin wrote still holds true – and then some. The QSi logo has become the trustmark for quality in this industry. QSi stands for Quality, Service and Innovation, and it is these vital attributes that our judges are looking for. Older readers will remember the old “kite mark” – well, those three letters are your mark of quality. We know that every winner truly deserves their award. There are no “Buggins’ turn” prizes, and no meaningless “biggest spender” gongs. Every Award we’ve given has been hard won, by companies that have done something a little bit special that elevates them above their competitors. And every entry has been thoroughly vetted by our expert judges. And believe me, there have been some lively discussions over the years when we get together to make our final choices. Looking back on 10 years of the QSi Awards, we’re immensely proud. Since 2013, we’ve handed out more than 300 QSi Awards. In Brighton, we presented our 100th Gold award. We’ve had winners from all over the UK – from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the furthest extremes of England – literally, all four corners of the country. And it really means something for the winners. The QSi Awards matter. This industry is changing – consolidation among large fleets has made us think about the categories, and as a result, we’ve launched a new Private Hire Group award, designed to recognise private hire or taxi operators running very large fleets in excess of 1,000 vehicles in

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

multiple locations or under multiple brands. This award is bound to grow in prestige and importance over the coming years. It’s the nature of business for the big to get bigger – but equally, our QSi Awards prove there’s still room for the small operators, even the one-man-bands – to thrive in this market. And in some cases the little operators can maybe teach the big guns a few tricks. We also presented our Car of the Year awards at Brighton. Many of you will have joined us at Epsom racecourse to test more than 40 of the latest cars – most of them electric. In fact only nine hybrids made the shortlists – less than one in four. So this makes it very interesting that three of the five categories were taken by hybrids, not EVs. The Chauffeur Car, Executive Car and Luxury SUV categories were all won by hybrids. Are we seeing a kick-back against the headlong rush toward electrification? Certainly looks that way, given the judges’ reaction to the cars on test. As we pointed out last month, the UK government’s move to push back the end of ICE sales from 2030 to 2035 was a touch of smoke and mirrors – it’ll not have much impact overall. But fleet buyers are starting to get cold feet. Addison Lee has pushed back on its own plans to have an allelectric fleet by 2025, and has just placed a large order for VW Multivan PHEVs. Part of the problem is supply – there are very few suitable 7-seater EVs that could replace Addison Lee’s ageing Ford Galaxys and VW Sharans. So it’s been forced to buy new PHEVs. But the bigger problem is infrastructure. Without a proper, joined-up strategy, coupled with some form of regulation on pricing, charging up your car on the go is a lottery. Will the charger work? Will it deliver power at the advertised rate? And will it be affordable. In many cases, the answer is no. Unless you have home charging facilities – and many urban-based drivers do not – running an EV is not a practical or financially advantageous thing to do. It’s likely, and frankly, desirable, for there to be a change of government in the next few months. We would urge the incoming government to take a full and thorough look at the electrification issue and start finding joined-up solutions. And fast. Mark Bursa Editor markbursa@prodrivermags.com

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Celebrating a decade of Qua

n this special issue of Professional

Driver, you’ll be able to find out who were the big winners at the 10th annual QSi and Car of the Year awards. Yes, you read that correctly. It has been a decade since we launched the QSi Awards to recognise Quality, Service and Innovation in the private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry. We had to miss a year in 2020 thanks to the pandemic, so that meant the 10th anniversary was also the 10th time the awards had been held. Since 2013, we’ve handed out more than 300 trophies – including more than 100 Golds – to the best operators and drivers in the UK. And the QSi Awards are truly national – we’ve had winners from all four home nations, and from every corner of England. The Professional Driver QSi Awards is the private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry’s favourite party. This year, we chose a new venue – the Metropole Hotel in Brighton. A spot of bracing seaside air would do us all some good, we thought! And once again, our guests were treated to a night to remember as we rewarded the best operators and drivers with Gold, Silver and Bronze QSi Awards. In addition, we revealed our Cars of the Year for 2023. We’re very proud of our Car of the Year Awards – they are the most thorough readerjudged car awards anywhere in the automotive industry. There were some close contests in our five categories too, following record numbers of test drives at our Epsom judging day in the Summer. We also had some great QSi battles for gold, with past champions battling it out against some tremendous first-time entries. Judging the winners is certainly getting harder and harder each year, and we’d like to thank our expert judges, David Goldring, Shaun Ravin and Gary Jacobs for going the extra mile in helping us make the right choices for Gold, Silver and Bronze. This year’s ceremony was expertly helmed by our regular host, broadcaster and racing driver Amanda Stretton. And the band and the aftershow party carried on well into the small hours. We’d like to thank all the sponsors that continue to support the QSi event – you make it possible. The pictures over the next few pages are designed to give a flavour of the evening. See who you can spot!

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

ality, Service and Innovation

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

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QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

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QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2022

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QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2022

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Three of the best!

n the 10-year history of the

QSi Awards, there have been some constant presences – both sponsors and winners. So we decided to acknowledge them on the night with a small special presentation. We produced three special and distinctive trophies, which Professional Driver editor Mark Bursa presented to three very special supporters of the event. Firstly, Ethos Finance has supported both our QSi and Car of the Year Awards as a sponsor since day one – so Ethos main man Chris Brown, was our first QSi 10th Anniversary Award recipient. One company that has been a cornerstone sponsor of the QSi Awards since 2013, sponsoring both the Large Chauffeur Fleet and Professional Driver of the Year Awards from day one is BMW, so a second trophy was given to Lee Connolly, who heads the company’s initiatives into the chauffeur sector. And finally, there is one company that has been the most successful QSi entrant. Since we started in 2013, this company has won at least one QSi Award every year. In total, London private hire operator GLH has won, we reckon, a staggering 17 QSi trophies between 2013 and 2022, five of them Gold. We’d have to wait and see if the streak continued into 2023, but at least Zoe Powers wasn’t going to leave the 2023 awards empty-handed!

[above] London private hire operator GLH, and Zoe Powers, have won a staggering 17 QSi trophies, five of them Gold

[left] BMW’s Lee Connolly receives his trophy from Professional Driver editor Mark Bursa

[below] Ethos Finance boss Chris Brown receives the third 10th Anniversary trophy from Mark Bursa

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Environment Award The Winners Gold Gold Silver Bronze

Addison Lee, London Belgraves, London GLH, London Royal Cars, Oxford SPONSORED BY

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he QSi Environment Award recognises companies that have shown a genuine commitment to adopting environmentallyfriendly policies that have made a positive impact. This year the judges found it difficult to separate two companies of very different size that both demonstrated the highest commitment to sustainability, so two Gold Awards were made. Our first Gold winner is Addison Lee. The company has made a massive commitment to electrifying its entire fleet, acquiring more than 1,000 EVs to replace older diesels, a move that has removed 2 million kilogrammes of CO2 from London’s air. It has backed up that initiative with innovative schemes to help drivers access charging facilities – even those without off-street parking. The second Gold award went to Londonbased chauffeur Belgraves, which has taken a root and branch approach to making its business sustainable. From electric cars to solar panels and recyclable water bottles, this company has set about cleaning up every aspect of its business. The Silver award goes to GLH, a company that has long been a pioneer of green thinking. As well as moving more than half its fleet to electric cars, it has worked with its customers in the film production sector to adopt the rigorous Albert Sustainability programme, resulting in a drop in CO2 emissions against a 25% increase in work. The Bronze award goes to Royal Cars of Oxford, which impressed the judges with its commitment to fitting solar panels at its premises and installing EV charge points – along with a more ambitious plan to build a major charging hub that will be open to the public.

Roll of Honour

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GLH, London Belgraves of London, Sutton Parkers Executive, Newcastle-upon-Tyne DG Group, Nottingham 001 Taxis, Oxford GLH, London Greentomato Cars, London DG Cars, Nottingham Parker Car Service, London Addison Lee, London Greentomato Cars, London Cloud Cars, Nottingham Addison Lee, London eConnect Cars, London Cloud Cars, Nottingham GLH,London eConnect Cars, London Addison Lee, London Go Green Taxis, Didcot eConnect Cars, London Phoenix Taxis, Blyth Greentomato Cars, London Climatecars, London GLH, London Cloud Cars, Nottingham

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Addison Lee, London Your Local Car, Camberley Parkers Executive, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

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2022 Gold Silver Bronze 2021 Gold Silver Bronze 2019 Gold Silver Bronze 2018 Gold Silver Bronze 2017 Gold Silver Bronze 2016 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2015 Gold Silver Bronze 2014 Gold Silver Bronze 2013 Gold Silver Bronze

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Lead the change

ethosfinance.co.uk | 01423 608666 sales@ethos-finance.co.uk

Open the door to the electric future and show your clients you care.

Right this way...

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Business Diversification W

e introduced this category in 2021, initially to reward initiatives to develop new lines of business during the pandemic. We’re glad to see that the industry has kept on innovating and it’s those radical moves and new ideas that win the Business Diversification Awards. For more than 60 years, there has been conflict in London between the private hire sector and the Black Cabs. But what if the biggest taxi fleet and the biggest private hire fleet were to come together, and offer a combination of their services? That’s what has now happened, with Comcab, the biggest London taxi fleet, becoming part of Gold-winning Addison Lee. The Silver Award goes to Blacklane, a very large business that is changing how business travellers can get to where they want to go. By launching a longdistance chauffeur service between major cities, with fixed fares, corporate clients can have a convenient alternative to short-haul flights, trains, and selfdrive options. It’s now being rolled out globally, and its great news for chauffeurs who might otherwise have to travel hundreds of miles home empty. Our Bronze winner is Camberley’s Your Local Car, which has diversified not through what it does, but how it goes about doing it. Rather than competing with local rivals for a growing customer base in the towns it serves, it works together with other local independent private hire companies, sharing technology and office space. This provides a better service, a major reduction in dead miles, and a 20% increase in business.

The Winners Gold Silver Bronze

Addison Lee, London Blacklane, Berlin Your Local Car, Camberley

2022 Gold Silver Bronze 2021 Gold Silver Bronze

GLH, London DG Cars, Nottingham Blacklane, Berlin DG Cars, Nottingham Need-A-Cab, Plymouth Cabs Smart, Ipswich

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SPONSORED BY

Roll of Honour

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

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awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

hich companies promote their operations in the most creative and original way? The QSi Award for Marketing aims to find out. The judges were looking for chauffeur, taxi or private hire operators, large or small, that make use of innovative or creative marketing and advertising across a range of media, and can show how this has improved their businesses. Our Gold QSi Award winner only started to take shape during the pandemic. But through a programme of strategic acquisitions, Take Me Group has created a growing national presence – and key to that is building a recognisable brand. Though clever use of social media, and a strategic shift from local to national branding, Take Me is building a consistent brand identity without losing the local focus of the companies in the group. Our Silver winner is Blacklane, a global giant that has taken a smart locally focused approach to improving awareness of its services in London. A combination of smart, informative films and strategic advertising, focusing on the London underground, has given a major boost to its growing presence. The Bronze award goes to a regional chauffeur company that uses all the tools at its disposal to spread the word about its high-quality service. Hilton Ames Chauffeurs of Exeter uses includes social media, face-toface meetings and an informative customer newsletter. The result of all this has been a trebling of business in the past year.

The Winners Gold Silver Bronze

Take Me Group, Leicester Blacklane, Berlin Hilton Ames Chauffeurs, Exeter

SPONSORED BY

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Marketing Award

Roll of Honour

CamCab, Cambridge Take Me Group, Leicester DG Cars, Nottingham Station Taxis, Sunderland 001 Taxis, Oxford Street Cars, Manchester Street Cars, Manchester Radio Taxis, Southampton Royal Cars, Oxford GLH, London Addison Lee, London Go Green Taxis, Didcot Go Green Taxis, Didcot Addison Lee, London Airport Lynx, Cambridgeshire Spotty Cars, London Addison Lee, London Airport Lynx, Cambridge Tristar Worldwide, London White 7, Shrewsbury Capstar Chauffeurs, London White 7, Shrewsbury Reliance Worldwide, London Tristar Worldwide, London

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AAA Taxis, Hatfield Take Me Group, Leicester Veezu, Newport

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2022 Gold Silver Bronze 2021 Gold Silver Bronze 2019 Gold Silver Bronze 2018 Gold Silver Bronze 2017 Gold Silver Bronze 2016 Gold Silver Bronze 2015 Gold Silver Bronze 2014 Gold Silver Bronze 2013 Gold Silver Bronze

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

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Community Award T

he QSi Community Award aims to reward those operators that make an extraordinary effort to provide an exceptional service for local businesses and organisations. Our outstanding Gold winner is Derby’s Albatross Cars. This company doesn’t just reach out into its local community with sponsorship of numerous local kids’ sports clubs. It also does a huge amount to look after the wellbeing of its own community – its drivers - with initiatives including free gym sessions and a company cricket team. Our Silver winner is a London operator that has been growing its work with local charities and NHS trusts, as well as providing an employee assistance portal where drivers and staff can get financial and health advice. GLH has also worked closely with the Think Pink charity to bring more women into the business. The Bronze award goes to Oxford’s Royal Cars, a big player in its city which impressed the judges by creating a citywide campaign designed to help businesses in the city recover from the pandemic. Encouraging shared customers to support other local businesses is a two-way street, and the initiative has seen Royal Cars increase its own business substantially.

The Winners Gold Silver Bronze

Albatross Cars, Derby GLH, London Royal Cars, Oxford

SPONSORED BY

Roll of Honour 2022 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2021 Gold Silver Bronze 2019 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2018 Gold Silver Bronze 2017 Gold Silver Bronze 2016 Gold Silver Bronze 2015 Gold Silver Bronze 2014 Gold Silver Bronze 2013 Gold Silver Bronze

Your Local Car, Camberley Street Cars, Manchester Albatross Cars, Derby Flat Cap Cabs, Brixworth Cabs Smart, Ipswich Radio Taxis, Southampton Castle Cars, Tonbridge Royal Cars, Oxford Veezu, Newport GLH, London Street Cars, Manchester GLH, London Q Despatch, London Royal Cars, Oxford Street Cars, Manchester GLH, London Solway Private Hire, Silloth Solway Private Hire, Silloth Castle Cars, Tonbridge GLH, London Solway Private Hire, Silloth GLH, London Argyle Taxis, Birkenhead Solway Private Hire, Silloth GLH, London Posh Limousines, Stoke-on-Trent Fylde Executive, Blackpool Pryors, Didcot GLH, London

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

New-Start Operator T

he New-Start Operator Award aims to reward private hire, taxi and chauffeur businesses that have only recently become established in the market. It’s open to companies that have either started operating or undergone a major change of management or direction since the start of 2019. Our Gold winner is a local taxi operator in Devon that only started serving its community during lockdown. Sure Taxis of Ilfracombe has a small team in a small town, but has focused on providing everything from airport runs to school services. In fact, owner Ian Grange was so busy he was sadly unable to attend and collect his trophy. The Silver New-Start QSi award goes to the newest company on the shortlist. Tick Taxi only started in this January, in the competitive Bristol market. But it has already built a strong reputation in its home city for a friendly service, and a strong focus on airport runs. Our Bronze winner is Newportbased chauffeur Luxstar. This is another company that started

The Winners Gold Silver Bronze

Sure Taxis, Ilfracombe Tick Taxi, Bristol Luxstar, Newport SPONSORED BY

operations during the height of the pandemic – but through hard work and dedication, it hasn’t just survived. In the past year, it’s grown its business by a whopping 800% and has become the go-to chauffeur in South Wales for many big London operators.

Roll of Honour 2022 Gold Silver Bronze 2021 Gold Silver Bronze 2019 Gold Silver Bronze 2018 Gold Silver Bronze 2017 Gold Silver Bronze 2016 Gold Silver Bronze 2015 Gold Silver Bronze 2014 Gold Silver Bronze

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

L&L Travel, Newton-le-Willows StarPrime Chauffeurs, Bristol NI Chauffeurs, Belfast Chabé, London Luxstar, Newport NI Chauffeurs, Belfast Driven By Liberty, Manchester OnCue Transport, London Tadley Cars, Tadley Excel Executive, London Wayland Executive Cars, Watton AZ Luxe, London Orion Luxury, London London Luxury Chauffeuring, London Myhills Mini Coaches, Cambridge Alpha Executive, Bury St Edmunds Near and Far, Fakenham EA Chauffeurs, Byfleet eConnect Cars, London Portfolio Executive, Woking Alpha Executive, Bury St Edmunds Capstar Chauffeurs, London Park Executive, Sunderland London SilverBlack, London

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Chauffeur Operator [1-10 vehicles]

his is always a closely-fought category in the QSi Awards. The judges find this is one of the hardest categories to call. It always attracts a strong entry of companies with a focus on personal service, and the successful entrants are those with a vital “x factor”. It took a very special entry to win this category – and our Gold winner’s achievements are certainly special, considering the company has only been around for three years. But Bristol’s StarPrime Chauffeurs combines incredible attention to detail and an attitude of continuous improvement, adding 50 new clients in the past 12 months and becoming a powerhouse in the West Country. Our Silver winner is a company that has used a combination of creative social media and oldfashioned personal service to treble its business and double its fleet to six cars in in the past year. Exeter’s Hilton Ames Chauffeurs also wins friends in its west country base through generous support for local charities. As is so often the case in this category, our judges found it hard to get the shortlist down to a final three. So we’ve got a final four, with two Bronze winners. The first goes to a traditional company that has kept growing by maintaining a personal and professional approach, building strong relationships in the tourism sector. The approach is keep it simple – and it’s paid off for Scotland’s MET Chauffeurs.

The Winners

Gold StarPrime Chauffeurs, Bristol Silver Hilton Ames Chauffeurs, Exeter Bronze Door 2 Door, Cirencester Bronze MET Chauffeur Services, Erskine SPONSORED BY

Our second Bronze winner is a textbook example of a professional, one-man chauffeur firm. Cirencester-based Door 2 Door has passed from father to son, and has kept on growing through looking after loyal, long-standing local customers. One client even asked owner Tom Hill to drive his pet dogs to Marbella in Spain – which certainly counts as going the extra mile!

Roll of Honour

Parkers Executive, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Aura Journeys, Newark Luxstar, Newport MET Chauffeur Services, Erskine Driven By Liberty, Manchester Parkers Executive JRA Chauffeur Drive, Camberley Belgraves of London, Sutton Smart City Prestige, London Drive Arrive, Huntingdon MET Chauffeur Services, Erskine Belgraves of London, Sutton MET Chauffeur Services, Erskine Orion Luxury Services, London AZ Luxe, London Orion Luxury, London Cole Executive Hire, Malmesbury Chauffeur Travel, Bath Alpha Executive, Bury St Edmunds MLC Chauffeurs, Chorley Driving Force, Tunbridge Wells Home James, Birmingham

Parkers Executive, Newcastle Driving Force, Tunbridge Wells Location Chauffeurs, South Mimms

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Park Executive, Sunderland Elite Chauffeur Services, Edinburgh Chirton Grange, Rochester

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Chirton Grange, Rochester Near and Far, Fakenham Park Executive, Sunderland

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2022 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2021 Gold Silver Bronze 2019 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2018 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2017 Gold Silver Bronze 2016 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2015 Gold Silver Bronze 2014 Gold Silver Bronze 2013 Gold Silver Bronze

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Chauffeur Operator [11+ vehicles]

his is another tough category, where Quality and Service are a given – so it’s often down to Innovation to decide the medals. Our Gold winner won this award in 2021, but was knocked off its perch in 2022. But Belgraves of London has been setting the standard in the capital for some years. But it has upped its game in terms of sustainability, adding more electric cars to the fleet and looking at every aspect of its business from an environmental perspective, In addition, there’s an intense focus on driver training to ensure those lofty standards don’t slip. Our Silver award goes to a familiar firm whose business was devastated during the Covid pandemic. But Little’s Chauffeur Drive

is Scotland’s leading chauffeur operator with good reason, and the company has bounced back with resilience, handling all the transport for the COP26 environmental summit in Glasgow in late 2021, and adding a green approach to its business – though it has stopped short of painting its recognisable red cars green! Our Bronze winner has twice won Gold in the Chauffeur Operator (1-10 cars) class, but now it’s moved up a division – and it’s still very competitive. Parkers Chauffeurs continues to set the standard for its home city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It has recently added a rigorous focus on the environment too, adding EVs and sustainability policies throughout the business

Roll of Honour Chabé, London Blacklane, Berlin Belgraves of London, Sutton iChauffeur, London

2021 Gold Silver Bronze

Belgraves of London, Sutton iChauffeur, London AZ Luxe, London

2019 Gold Silver Bronze

Fylde Executive Cars, Blackpool iChauffeur, London Embassy Cars, London

2018 Gold Silver Bronze

iChauffeur, London Embassy Cars, London Herts Executive, Welwyn Garden City

2017 Gold Silver Bronze 2016 Gold Silver Bronze 2015 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze 2014 Gold Silver Bronze 2013 Gold Silver Bronze

iChauffeur, London Driven UK, Horley Herts Executive, Welwyn Garden City

Gold Silver Bronze

Belgraves of London, London Little’s Chauffeur Drive, Glasgow Parkers Chauffeurs, Newcastle-upon-Tyne SPONSORED BY

Airport Lynx, Cambridge Auto Executive Corporate Travel, Redcar Driven UK, Horley Club Class Chauffeurs, Hailsham Capstar Chauffeurs, London Airport Lynx, Cambridge Home James, Birmingham Capstar Chauffeurs, London Airport Lynx, Cambridge England Limousines, London Club Class Chauffeurs, Hailsham Fylde Executive, Blackpool England Limousines, London

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2022 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze

The Winners

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

sually this is one of the most popular QSi Categories – after all, the small, local private hire and taxi fleets are the lifeblood of our business. But Coronavirus had a devastating effect on this part of the sector, resulting in many of these companies closing or being taken over by bigger local rivals. As a result, we decided to rest the category in 2022. But now it’s back, as the greens shoots of recovery start to bloom among good local operators. Our Gold Award winner is Camberley’s Your Local car. This company uses social media with flair and creativity to build its presence. It works with its competitors to provide a better service. And it’s the only operator in its area with a substantial electric fleet. The Silver award goes to another company with a strong local focus. In its submission, the company said it was “not just a transportation service. We are an integral part of the community”. With one of the most intensive approaches to customer safety, our Silver award goes to Wrexham’s Crown Cars. Our Bronze Award goes to a company that has made the top three in this category several times over the years – including Gold in 2021. Since the pandemic, Tonbridge’s Castle Cars has taken on a renewed sense of purpose, with a great recruitment policy and a focus on keeping the company in the five-star category in any reviews.

The Winners Gold Silver Bronze

Your Local Car, Camberley Crown Cars, Wrexham Castle Cars, Tonbridge SPONSORED BY

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Private Hire [1-80 vehicles]

Radio Taxis, Southampton DG Cars, Nottingham Street Cars, Manchester DG Cars, Nottingham Radio Taxis, Southampton Street Cars, Manchester Radio Taxis, Southampton Street Cars, Manchester Veezu, Newport Street Cars, Manchester Royal Cars,Oxford Green Tomato Cars, London Parker Car Service, London Royal Cars,Oxford Carrot Cars, London Addison Lee, London Parker Car Service, London GLH, London Phoenix Taxis, Blyth Parker Car Service, London Addison Lee, London Phoenix Taxis, Blyth GLH, London Greentomato Cars, London GLH, London The Keen Group, London Climatecars, London

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Private Hire [80+ vehicles]

ow it’s time for the most hard-fought of all the awards – Private Hire Operator of the Year (81+ cars). This category always attracts a seriously high-quality entry, and this year’s is is the biggest and most diverse to date. Our outstanding Gold winner takes the honours simply by caring more for its drivers and local community than almost any other operator we’ve seen. From keep-fit programmes for drivers to a host of local sponsorships and safety initiatives, Albatross Cars is genuinely making its home city of Derby a better place. It was again difficult to narrow down the field, so the judges decided to award two Silvers. The first goes to GLH of London, a company that has looked at every part of its business and tried to make it better. A cleaner fleet, happier staff and outstanding support for its community. We reckon this is the 20th QSi Award the company has won since 2013! Our second Silver winner is London’s Parker Car Service. This is a company that not only looks after its drivers with no-commission tips added to its fares. It has carried out a number of major initiatives, including acquiring a dispatch systems provider and battling TfL to allow it to expand its wheelchair accessible fleet. Our Bronze award goes to Didcot’s Go Green Taxis. This company that has been a Gold winner in the Private Hire Operator (1-80 cars) category before – but it’s grown a bit since then. But it’s stuck to its principles of employee-drivers, providing a career path for apprentices and offering, as its name suggests, an eco-friendly service.

The Winners Gold Silver Silver Bronze

Albatross Cars, Derby GLH, London Parker Car Service, London Go Green Taxis, Didcot SPONSORED BY

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

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Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

Private Hire Group of the Year W

the changes within the business. Silver goes to another of the most acquisitive companies of the past year. A series of takeovers have turned Nottingham-based DG Cars from a local to a regional powerhouse, and its landmark takeover of Arrow Cars has given it the contract to run the car service at three large regional airports. It has also bought major operators in Cambridge and on the South Coast, and is continuing to build a national presence. The Bronze Award goes to major London operator Addison Lee. No company in the industry has done more to electrify its fleet than this company – and it’s backed that up with a scheme to help drivers access overnight charging points. And it has grown through acquisition in a most surprising way, bringing black cabs into the fold through the purchase of Comcab.

The Winners Gold Silver Bronze

Take Me Group, Leicester DG Group, Nottingham Addison Lee, London SPONSORED BY

Go ld

e live in changing times, and it’s become clear that the extent of consolidation over the past few years is leading to a new type of private hire operator. The Private Hire Group of the Year QSi Award is new for 2023. It’s designed to recognise private hire or taxi operators, running very large fleets in excess of 1,000 vehicles in multiple locations or under multiple brands, based anywhere in the United Kingdom. Our Gold winner wasn’t on the radar when the world went into lockdown three and a half years ago. But since then, Take Me Group has risen to become one of the biggest UK operators, with a growing portfolio. It’s rolling out a national brand, backed by great technology, and highly innovative use of social media. It says a lot that most of the business owners who have joined the group have stayed with it - and embraced

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Go ld

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

The Winners Gold

Eva Conibear, Hilton Ames Chauffeurs, Exeter Silver Mark Jones, Crown Cars, Wrexham Bronze John Davies, Chabé, London Bronze Lukasz Swiderski, Belgraves of London, London

SPONSORED BY

(from left) Mark Jones. Eva Conibear, John Davies and Lukasz Swiderski

Professional Driver of the Year

he qsi Award for professional driver of the

Year is our Flagship Award, and goes to the individual private hire driver or chauffeur who provides the absolute highest standard of service, in terms of driving skills, customer service, personality, and ability to represent their company. As always we have an impressive shortlist, and this year 13 drivers were in the running. And all deserve to be there. Their stories demonstrate the depth of talent and quality that exists in the industry, and choosing three winners was difficult – so difficult that once again, we’ve gone to four. Our Gold QSi Professional Driver of the Year, is Eva Conibear of Exeter’s Hilton Ames Chauffeurs. Eva is the second woman to win the crown of Britain’s best Professional Driver, and her impeccable dedication makes her a thoroughly deserved winner. She is a RoSPA Gold winning former ambulance driver who is central to the success of the fast-growing company for which she drives. Always calm and empathetic, this is a driver who “personifies the consummate chauffeur profile. Perfection”, according to Hilton Ames Chauffeurs. One thing that marks out a great driver is presence of mind. Keep an eye on the client, because sometimes people are taken ill. Our Silver winner has those attributes – so much so that he’s probably saved two lives.

Crown Cars driver Mark Jones recognised that a diabetic customer was slipping into a coma, and quickly helped him into the car and to hospital where he could receive life-saving treatment. And he recognised that a young female passenger was feeling depressed and contemplating suicide. By remaining calm, he won her trust and took her safely home, before alerting local authorities, who were able to provide help. The first of two Bronze QSi awards goes to a driver who his employer says “ticks every box”. Meticulous with his presentation and with a genuine love of motoring – that might describe any number of chauffeurs. But Lukas Swidierski has recovered from a life-threatening road accident (he was a pedestrian) which put him out of action for almost a year. But his determination to get back behind the wheel has paid off and he’s once again one of Belgraves’ top VIP drivers. It says a lot for our second Bronze winner that when his company, Chabé, was starting operations, he was the first driver to be recruited. John Davies has become something of a “team captain”, with an air of calm professionalism and trustworthiness that is vital when dealing with senior executives of large corporations. Earlier this year he was diagnosed with cancer, but has now been given the all-clear and is back at work.

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

Roll of Honour 2022 Gold Silver Bronze

Kenneth Bond, City of Birmingham Nayyer Iqbal Bhatti, Albatross Cars, Derby Tony Hernandez, AZ Luxe, London & Derek Cole, Cole Executive, Malmesbury

2021 Gold Silver Bronze

Joe Tranter, Belgraves of London, Sutton Kenneth Bond, City of Birmingham Peter Mangion, Oracle Chauffeurs, Westcott, Surrey

2019 Gold Silver Bronze

Scott Phillpot, Belgraves of London Steve Sommerfeld, Marshalls of Cambridge Peter Conisbee, Drive Arrive

2018 Gold Silver Bronze

Paul Garratt, Excel Executive Terry McCann, Herts Executive Stuart Johnson, Wayland

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

2017 Gold Silver Bronze 2016 Gold Silver Bronze 2015 Gold Silver Bronze 2014 Gold Silver Bronze 2013 Gold Silver Bronze

Hilary Hutchinson, Lakeland Chauffeurs Simon Peacock, Capstar Chauffeurs Marc Brodie, GLH & Bogdan Tepes, Herts Executive Andrew Matthews, Alpha Executive Cars Paul Bhamra, Tristar Worldwide Michael Browne, Driven Worldwide Danny Richards, Capstar Chauffeurs Hilary Hutchinson, Lakeland Chauffeurs Paul Stanley,Tristar Worldwide Eric Bonful, Greentomato Cars Kevin Willis, Chirton Grange Paul Alleman,Tristar Worldwide & Clive Pearce, England Limousines Robert Mroczek, England Limousines Andrew Fowler, Location Chauffeurs Maurice Holman, Tristar Worldwide

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

CAR OF THE YEAR

Choosing our 2023 Cars of the Year

e had a full house on a sunny day for our Professional Driver Car of the Year judging day. We returned to Epsom racecourse, following positive feedback, and we’d like to thank the Epsom staff for being so welcoming once again. And, of course, we’d like to thank everyone who turned up to judge, especially those who travelled long distances,

from as far as South Wales and Lancashire. We had more than 40 cars for our judges to evaluate – and every car was out on test, all day long, with a record turnout of industry judges having a great time driving a terrific selection of cars, including many of the latest plugin hybrid and electric models. As well as helping us choose the winners, our Car of the Year day gives

SPONSORED BY

judges a chance to sample the cars that will form their future fleets. Over the next few pages you can find out which cars from our extensive shortlist took our seven category wins, and finally we’ll reveal our Car of the Year. But first, let’s head back to those warm summer afternoons and take a look at a gallery of images from the August judging days.

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

CAR OF THE YEAR

CAR OF THE YEAR QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Luxury SUV of the Year

SPONSORED BY

Winner: Volvo XC90 Recharge SHORTLIST • Audi Q8 e-tron • • BMW X7 • • Genesis GV70 • • Lexus UX300e • • Mercedes-Benz EQC • • Volvo XC90 Recharge • Volvo’s Tosh Crompton receives the trophy from Howden’s Jeanette McCreanney

hauffeur cars are increasingly becoming SUV-shaped, partly because customers like them, and partly because SUVs make great electric and hybrid cars as there’s plenty of room under the floor to stash the battery pack. Our shortlist includes both full electric and PHEV models – but this time, our winner wasn’t an EV. The Volvo XC90 may have been around for a few years, and is scheduled to be replaced by an

all-electric successor in 2024, but it still offers an outstanding combination of space, build quality and driving performance. And the plug-in hybrid drivetrain on the Volvo XC90 Recharge still has convenience and cost advantages over its batterypowered rivals. Podium places were closely contested, with three EVs all in the frame. Eventually the Mercedes-Benz EQC came second and the Audi Q8 e-tron third, narrowly ahead of the Genesis GV70.

Roll of Honour 2023 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

BMW iX 40 Audi e-tron BMW X7 Audi Q8 50 quattro Volvo XC60 D5 Audi Q7 3.0TDI SE Volvo XC90 D5 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 LWB Range Rover Vogue SE Porsche Cayenne Diesel

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

MPV of the Year

SPONSORED BY

Winner: Mercedes-Benz EQV SHORTLIST • Mercedes-Benz EQV • • Vauxhall Vivaro Life • • Vauxhall Combo e-life • • Volkswagen Multivan • • Volkswagen ID.Buzz •

Shaun Ravin of LCH accepts the trophy on behalf of Mercedes-Benz from Howden’s Jeanette McCreanney

he seven-seater market has changed over the years, and the traditional carbased MPV seems to be a thing of the past, with van-based people-movers now the standard. Of our shortlist, only the new Volkswagen ID.Buzz is designed primarily as a passenger-carrier. This was a very close contest, again with hybrids and EVs making the final cut. Last year, the hybrid Volkswagen Multivan took the crown – but this year, the market leader has taken it back!

Our MPV of the Year is the all-electric MercedesBenz EQV, which for the moment at least remains the only premium-brand people-mover on the market. The VW Mulitivan was second, but with a bigger gap than last year – though a lower purchase price and the convenience of a hybrid powertrain are still major plus points. In third came the quirky new ID.Buzz, which lacked a little in luxury, but would lend itself to a being a distinctive taxi.

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Roll of Honour 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Volkswagen Multivan Mercedes-Benz EQV Mercedes-Benz V-Class Mercedes-Benz V-Class Mercedes-Benz V-Class Seat Alhambra Ford Galaxy Ford Tourneo Custom Mercedes-Benz Viano Ford Galaxy Volkswagen Sharan Ford Galaxy Ford Galaxy

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

Executive Car of the Year

SPONSORED BY

Winner: Lexus ES300h SHORTLIST • Genesis G80 Electrified • • Genesis GV60 • • Hyundai Ioniq6 • • Lexus ES300h • • Mercedes-Benz EQE • • Volkswagen ID.5 •

David Crouch of Lexus receives the trophy from Howden’s Jeanette McCreanney

he executive car is the lifeblood

of the chauffeur sector – and this is a very competitive sector. But the need to go electric is vital – which was reflected in last year’s result, a close contest between the Mercedes-Benz EQE and the 2022 winner, the Genesis G80. But this year we saw a distinct kickback, giving clear evidence that the EV revolution is running out of juice. With infrastructure proving costly and unreliable, and EVs carrying a price premium over ICE or hybrid alternatives, it was the only hybrid

on the shortlist that triumphed over five state-ofthe-art electric cars. Our Executive Car of the Year for 2023 was the Lexus ES300h. Perhaps this shouldn’t be such a surprise as the car has extremely high levels of build quality and reliability, and crucially, no range-related issues. In a very close contest for second, the Mercedes-Benz EQE came out just ahead of the two Genesis models, with et GV60 perhaps surprisingly scoring better than the G80 -by a small margin.

Roll of Honour 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Genesis G80 Electrified Tesla Model 3 Audi A6 TDI BMW 630d Gran Turismo Mercedes-Benz E220d Mercedes-Benz E220d Audi A6 2.0TDI Ultra Audi A6 2.0 TDI Ultra Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTec Hybrid Volvo S80 BMW 530d Gran Turismo BMW 530d Gran Turismo Mercedes-Benz E250

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

Private Hire Car of the Year

SPONSORED BY

Winner: Hyundai Ioniq5 SHORTLIST • Citroen e-C4X • Citroen C5X • Cupra Born • Ford Mustang Mach-e • Hyundai Ioniq5 • Kia EV6 • Kia Niro • Skoda Enyaq • Toyota BZ4X • Toyota Corolla Touring • Volkswagen ID.4 • Volkswagen ID.3 • Volvo C40 Recharge Howden’s Jeanette McCreanney gives the trophy to Hyundai’s Mark Griffiths

hat’s the best car for private hire use? Last year we decided to split the category into two – hybrids and EVs. But with a number of traditional saloons leaving the market without an immediate replacement, we were left with a predominantly EV shortlist, with just two hybrids (Citroen C5X and Toyota Corolla Tourer) in the mix. This was a close contest, with the top four only covered by a handful of points. But the winner was

the Hyundai Ioniq 5, a car that is already popular in the private hire market thanks to its outstanding interior space and distinctive styling. The Hyundai fought off strong competition from VW Group products, with last year’s winner, the Skoda Enyaq iV, edging out the Addison Lee -favoured Volkswagen ID.4 and the Cupra Born, which finished second, third and fourth resepectively in the judging. Top non-EV was the Citroen C5-X PHEV, which finished fifth.

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Roll of Honour 2022 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Skoda Enyaq iV (electric) Skoda Superb iV (hybrid) Kia e-Niro Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Toyota Prius Excel Ford Mondeo Skoda Superb Ford Mondeo Skoda Octavia Greenline Skoda Superb Volkswagen Passat Skoda Superb Skoda Superb Skoda Superb

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

CAR OF THE YEAR

Chauffeur Car of the Year

LECTRIC CARS ARE coming to the top end of the market, and our shortlist our shortlist saw two fully electric large saloons up against three plug-in hybrids. The BMW i7 was launched too late for 2022’s Car of the Year Awards, but this year it was very much centre stage – with the slight complication that its plug-in hybrid sibling, the 760e, was also on the shortlist. In the end, the contest became a battle between two versions of the 7-series – and it was very, very close. The two versions of the new BMW 7-series were at the front of the grid, and came into the finishing straight neck and neck. But which one would take the chequered flag? By a whisker – the plug-in BMW 760e took the honours as our Chauffeur car of the year. But the margin was incredibly close. While the electric i7 is an amazing car, maybe there’s just a little range anxiety still in the chauffeurs’ minds?

SPONSORED BY

Winner: BMW 760e SHORTLIST • Audi A8L • BMW i7 • • BMW 760e xDrive • • Mercedes-Benz S580eL • • Mercedes-Benz EQS • Roll of Honour

BMW’s Lee Connolly with the award

2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Mercedes-Benz S580eL BMW 745Le Audi A8L 50 quattro Audi A8L 50 quattro BMW 740Le BMW 730Ld Range Rover LWB Autobiography 3.0 SDV6 Mercedes-Benz S300L BlueTEC Hybrid Audi A8L 3.0TDI Mercedes-Benz S350L BMW 730Ld Jaguar XJL 3.0D BMW 730Ld

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

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awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

CAR OF THE YEAR

Car of the Year

Roll of Honour

2022

Genesis G80 Electrified

2021

Mercedes-Benz EQV

2019

Mercedes-Benz V220d Extra Long

2018

Jaguar I-Pace EV400

2017

Mercedes-Benz E220d

2016

BMW 730Ld

2015

Tesla S85

2014

Mercedes-Benz S300 Hybrid

2013

Mercedes-Benz E300 Hybrid

2012

Volvo S80 D3 SE Lux

2011

BMW 730Ld

2010

Jaguar XJL 3.0D

2009

BMW 730Ld

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

CAR OF THE YEAR

SPONSORED BY

CAR OF THE YEAR

Winner: BMW 7-series SHORTLIST

• BMW 760e • Hyundai Ioniq5 • Lexus ES300h • Mercedes-Benz EQV • Volvo XC90 Recharge

ur overall Professional Driver Car of the Year is chosen from the category winners. With a lack of estate cars on the market this year, we were down to five cars. This year’s category winners were interesting in that in some cases they were something of a surprise – especially the way that three of the five categories were taken by hybrids, against the prevailing trend toward electrification. And in three categories, the cars were not new models – the Lexus ES300h, Mercedes-Benz EQV and Volvo XC90 have all been around for several years. We looked especially at the chauffeur car category, where the voting between the electric BMW i7 and the plug-in BMW 760e was incredibly close. In reality, both the i7 and the 760e deserved to be in the final shakedown for the title of Professional Driver Car of the Year. And so we decided to give our Car of the Year Award to both these cars – as they’re both versions of the same car. So rather than just the 760e, the 2023 Professional Driver Car of the Year is the new BMW 7-series. A special mention must go to the Hyundai Ioniq5, which outscored a lot of strong rivals in its class and seems particularly well suited to a role as a private hire vehicle.

BMW’s Lee Connolly eceives the trophy from Howden’s Jeanette McCreanney

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

awards | Professional Driver QSI 2023

CAR OF THE YEAR

Professional Driver

QSi Awards – The Winners Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards Chauffeur Car of the Year BMW 760e Executive Car of the Year Lexus ES300h MPV of the Year Mercedes-Benz EQV Luxury SUV of the Year Volvo XC90 Recharge Private Hire Car of the Year Hyundai Ioniq5

Car of the Year BMW 7-series

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

Professional Driver QSI 2023 | awards

CAR OF THE YEAR

Professional Driver QSi Awards 2023 Winners Private Hire Operator, 1-80 cars Gold Silver Bronze

Your Local Car Crown Cars Rhos Castle Cars

Marketing Award Gold Silver Bronze

Private Hire Operator, 81+ cars Gold Silver Silver Bronze

Albatross Cars GLH Parker Car Service Go Green Taxis

Community Award Gold Silver Bronze

Take Me Group DG Cars Addison Lee

Gold Gold Silver Bronze

Chauffeur Operator, 1-10 cars Gold Silver Bronze Bronze

StarPrime Chauffeurs Hilton Ames Chauffeurs MET Chauffeur Services Door 2 Door

Belgraves of London Little’s Chauffeur Drive Parkers Chauffeurs

Addison Lee Belgraves of London GLH Royal Cars New-Start Operator

Gold Silver Bronze

Sure Taxis Tick Taxi Luxstar Business Diversification

Chauffeur Operator, 11+ cars Gold Silver Bronze

Albatross Cars GLH Royal Cars Environment Award

Private Hire Group Gold Silver Bronze

Take Me Group Blacklane Hilton Ames Chauffeurs

Gold Silver Bronze

Addison Lee Blacklane Your Local Car

Professional Driver of the Year Gold Silver Bronze Bronze

Eva Conibear, Hilton Ames Chauffeurs Mark Jones, Crown Cars Rhos John Davies, Chabe Lukasz Swiderski, Belgraves of London

QSI AWARDS SOUVENIR EDITION 2023

CAR OF THE YEAR

2023

THANK YOU

Your continued support of the QSi Awards is incredibly well appreciated here at Professional Driver. Thanks to everyone who has entered over the past 10 years, all our winners, our judges, the car companies that supply cars for our judging day and all our award sponsors. Here’s to the next 10 years – and we’ll see you again for the industry’s favourite party in 2024!

Professional Driver Magazine December 2023 issue

Articles inside

Chauffeur Operator [1-10 vehicles]

Marketing Award

Business Diversification

Environment Award Winners

Professional Driver QSI 2023 Three of the best!

Celebrating a decade of Quality,