Sir William Lyons award celebrates 50 years with new winner Heléna Hicks

• Ian Callum and Sir William Lyons’ grandson Michael Quinn present winner #helenahicks with historic award for young motoring writers
• Former winners gather to mark 50 years of the Sir #williamlyons Award
• Award’s record of helping new talent break through is celebrated as big plans for its future are previewed

Jaguar and the Guild of Motoring Writers have marked 50 years of the Sir #williamlyons Award at a celebration dinner in central London. Guests included Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum, Sir William Lyons’s grandson Michael Quinn, Guild Vice President Ray Hutton and former winners of the award – plus the latest winner, #helenahicks.

Heléna, aged 18 from Colchester, is a keen motorsport fan and aspiring journalism student. Her entry for the 2016 Sir #williamlyons Award included an interview with Colombian GP3 driver Tatiana Calderón. She has just begun a placement at Autosport magazine as a junior reporter.

Receiving her award, Heléna said: “I’m thrilled to have received the Sir #williamlyons Award and hope to match the success of previous winners. The industry is incredibly competitive, so having The Guild’s seal of approval and support is fantastic!” 

Judge and Guild committee member Richard Aucock added: “Heléna’s entry was engaging, professional and showed great promise. Heléna is clearly ambitious and, despite being just 18 years old, has already had some significant achievements in her writing career. I am confident the award will help accelerate this.”

Other guests at the celebration dinner included Guild Chairman Andrew Noakes, plus former award winners Richard Aucock, Andrew Brady, Jonathan Noble, Tim Pollard and Alistair Weaver.

Sir #williamlyons Award: the one to win

Long described as ‘the one to win,’ the Guild of Motoring Writers and Jaguar first presented the Sir #williamlyons Scholarship in 1966.

Later developing into the Sir #williamlyons Award for aspiring writers under the age of 23, it gave many notable winners their big break into the industry. Previous winners include Tony Dron, David Vivian, Angus Frazer, Mark Bishop, Tom Barnard, Tom Callow and Rhian Angharad Jones.

Speaking at the dinner, Ian Callum said: "The motoring media not only plays an integral role in my work as a designer, but also encouraged my early love for the industry. It's great to see Jaguar continue the work of Sir #williamlyons in supporting the next generation of talent. I look forward to being interviewed by Heléna one day."

“I am pleased the award is still taken so seriously,” Michael Quinn added. “I recall visiting my    grandfather as a youngster and all the motoring press he had delivered to his home each week. I would read everything and this gave me an early indication as to the high esteem in which he held motoring journalism. I hope this award continues to go from strength to strength.”

Former Jaguar Senior Press Officer Jon Morgan was also remembered during the evening. Jon  was working with the Guild on exciting developments for the Sir #williamlyons Award at the time of his sad death in March 2016; the 50th anniversary celebration is the first fruit of his efforts.

The Guild and Jaguar are working to carry through some of Jon’s other innovations. Exciting developments for the future of the Sir #williamlyons Award will be revealed later in 2017.