The Midland Group of Motoring Writers has been connecting automotive journalists with the motor industry since 1989. Over more than three decades, the Group has built a proud history of supporting its members, championing quality journalism and leaving a lasting mark on the regional motoring media landscape.
How It All Began
The quiet determination of one man saw the formation of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers back in 1989. It was perhaps something of an anomaly that until then the heart of the British motor industry had no motoring writers group. Other areas of the country had such groups, but the Midlands was sadly lacking.
That thought had struck well-known Midlands newsman Tony Willard. He decided that a Midland group was needed and with help from the press lists of Rover and Peugeot, a call was put out to attend a preliminary meeting at the National Motorcycle Museum. Such was the response that the group was officially formed a few weeks later at a meeting of the ad-hoc committee at the Belfry, near Sutton Coldfield.
Three decades later the motoring landscape has changed beyond anything that those first members could ever have envisaged. The group has members from the new media of websites, blogs, vlogs and podcasts, as well as traditional print media, and remains more relevant than ever.
Ian Donaldson: 25 Years in the Chair
No figure looms larger in the history of the MGMW than Ian Donaldson. Ian served as chairman of the Group for 25 years, a remarkable tenure that saw the organisation grow, adapt and thrive through one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the media industry.
Ian’s career in journalism began on a local paper in Cambridgeshire, and he became a full-time motoring editor in 1995. As chairman he was always ready with a humorous story and was widely remembered for his good humour, but he was also a meticulous and conscientious journalist, widely respected across the industry throughout his long career.
In honour of his long service he was appointed the Group’s first honorary president when he stepped down in 2022.
Sadly, Ian passed away in October 2022 at the age of 75, after a period of illness. The Group mourned the loss of a president, a former chairman and a friend. He is remembered with great warmth by all who knew him.
Over the Group’s history it has had only four chairmen: Cliff Webb, Tony Willard, Ian Donaldson and current chairman Andrew Noakes. That continuity of leadership perhaps reflects the stability and sense of community that has always defined the MGMW.
The John Connor Prize
The John Connor Prize was awarded annually to the student on the Coventry University Automotive Journalism Masters degree course who produced the best final project. It was founded in 2013 as the MGMW Award and was one of the Group’s most valued contributions to the next generation of motoring journalists.
John Connor was a veteran motoring writer, a former motor industry newspaper and magazine editor, and for some years executive editor of Midland Weekly Media titles. He was a long-standing MGMW member and served on the Group’s committee. The award was renamed in his honour after his death in 2014.
Winners of the John Connor Prize have gone on to automotive media careers with Evo, Autocar, Pistonheads, Road & Track, The Week, Mercedes, Cosworth, SEAT and more.
2024 — Georgia Williams
2023 — Tayte Fordham
2022 — Muhammad Ali Khan
2021 — Joe Pepper
2020 — Michael Lear
2019 — Sophie Middleton
2018 — Khoi An Do
2017 — Illya Verpraet
2016 — Cameron Tait
2015 — Jan Conesa Sagrera
2014 — Sam Sheehan
2013 — Max Prince
The Phil Llewellin Fund
The Phil Llewellin Fund offered grants to young people to help them embark on, or develop, a career in automotive media. The Fund was named after Phil Llewellin, a renowned motoring and travel writer and a much-loved member of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers until his death in 2005.
Grants of up to £1,000 were available, together with advice and mentoring where appropriate. The fund supported numerous young writers in taking their first steps in automotive journalism and stands as a lasting tribute to one of the Group’s most celebrated members.
The Green Apple Awards
For a number of years, MGMW members served as judges for the Green Apple Awards, organised by the Midlands-based Green Organisation. The awards celebrated cars that combined real-world economy with genuine driving pleasure, and were presented annually at the House of Commons.
Winners chosen by MGMW members included the Renault Zoe in 2016, the Skoda Octavia in 2017 and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in 2014, reflecting the Group’s role in promoting responsible and economical motoring at a national level.
Looking Forward
The MGMW has always adapted to the times. From the typewriter to the tablet, from monthly deadlines to instant online publishing, the Group has evolved alongside the industry it covers. What will not change is the commitment to connecting working automotive journalists with the motor industry and with each other.
Motorists and industry watchers need unbiased, informed reporting on what will certainly be an interesting period for the motor industry. Members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers will continue to be well placed to provide it.