Chris Astle (L) from Stratstone Derby with main award London - Arabstoday BMW Group UK presented Stratstone Derby with the prestigious BMW Dealer of the Year Award at an awards ceremony held at its National Dealer Conference in Helsinki last night. Exceeding targets set in nine different operational areas across its business, the dealership won the award following strong competition from the two other finalists, Sycamore Peterborough and Lloyds Blackpool. Presenting the award to Chris Astle, Dealer Principal at Stratstone Derby, Tim Abbott, Managing Director BMW Group UK, said: “This award represents the supreme accolade for BMW dealers in the UK in terms of outstanding customer service and business performance. Stratstone Derby’s efforts, together with our entire dealer network, have helped us continuously maintain BMW’s position as the UK’s number one premium car company and the number one franchise. “With BMW dealers investing over £60 million in modern, customer-friendly retail facilities during 2012, our 5-Star customer rating system for sales and service, and a range of other customer initiatives, we now have the new Customer Champion award which is one of the most coveted in our recognition programme. There is absolutely no doubt that satisfied customers drive the success or failure of businesses.  It has to be our ultimate goal.” Over 140 approved BMW dealers are in the running each year for the BMW Dealer Awards.  Other awards presented at the event were:     Marketing Champion of the Year - Bowker Motor Group Corporate Sales Dealer of the Year - Sytner Group Used Car Sales Dealer of the Year - Halliwell Jones Southport Customer Champion of the Year - Carrs Bury St Edmunds Aftersales Dealer of the Year - Rybrook Warwick Dealer Principal of the Year - Joe Rogers, Bavarian Belfast