SWINDON and Melksham Mitsubishi were both winners at the annual award ceremony for Mitsubishi’s largest dealer group.

Sharon Ryan, from the Swindon dealership in Paddington Drive, was named Administrator of the Year at the awards for CCR Mitsubishi, which has nine dealerships across the south.

Meanwhile, Claire Holbrook and Sarah Williams from Melksham’s Western Way dealership, shared the After Sales Advisor of the Year prize at the ceremony at Alexandra House in Wroughton.

Claire said: ‘We joked about winning the award before the ceremony so when we did we were a bit shocked but really pleased. It’s great to win because it gives you confidence that you’re doing a good job.’ Sharon, who has worked at CCR Mitsubishi’s Swindon dealership for two years, said: ‘I really enjoy the job because it’s a great team.

"It’s a very nice surprise to win this award because I just take the approach that if I can help then I will. It’s a nice pat on the back.’ Andy Jackman, Regional General Manager for the dealerships in Swindon and Melksham, said: ‘Claire, Sarah and Sharon do a fantastic job and they thoroughly deserve their awards. I am delighted to see them win and it's recognition for the hard work they put it.’

CCR Mitsubishi’s Managing Director Tim Bagnall said: ‘It’s been a great year, 2014 was the best year the group has ever had. It’s been a really, really good performance across the board and within that there have been some exceptional performances from individuals and dealerships. These awards are well deserved.

‘I would like to thank all the staff at our dealerships and the back office team that keep it all going. Everybody has worked really hard. We have recognised a few individual performances but everyone has played their part in making a serious sea-change in our fortunes and this is just the start of it. I am absolutely delighted.’ Mitsubishi Motors UK is enjoying remarkable success, building its strongest passenger car sales platform since the company began in 1974.

According to the latest monthly figures for April, published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the brand was 59 per cent up on the same month last year, against a market up five per cent. Year-to-date Mitsubishi passenger car sales are up 158 per cent, versus a market increase of six per cent.

Chertsey Mitsubishi was named Dealership of the Year and also won the Sales Department of the Year prize. Dursley Mitsubishi took the award for After Sales Department of the Year, and Chris Olds, from Bristol Mitsubishi, was named Sales Executive of the Year. Wayne Ball, also from Dursley Mitsubishi, won Technician of the Year for the second year running.