Automotive award winners 2026

The Coachmakers’ Automotive Awards Committee was delighted to invite three very deserving student winners to receive their design bursary awards at the recent Automotive Industry Dinner.

Committee Chairman Assistant Giles Taylor has recently increased the number of awards to cover three of the most eminent automotive design courses in the UK: The Royal College of Art, Coventry University, and Wales Trinity St David (Swansea) University.

All three winners were thrilled to receive their award from the Master and guest speaker Liveryman Duncan Wiltshire – Chairman of the RAC.

Congratulations from the committee, which includes Liverymen Ian Callum CBE, Michael Quinn and Jack Watson. We wish them all the best in their final year of studies and look forward to keeping a close eye on their progress into industry with the continued support from our committee members.

The Royal College of Art Richard Dallimore Motor Centenary Award Winner James Hungin

“I am currently a Masters student at the Royal College of Art and previously graduated from the Automotive Design Bachelors’ course at the University of Wales Trinity St David.

“Being chosen for this year’s Motor Car Centenary award has been the greatest honour of my career to date and when interviewed by the Coachmakers panel I presented a design portfolio showcasing the chronology of my career. From my final university project – a Ferrari positioned as a fresh yet nostalgic supercar inspired by 60s’ race cars such as the Ferrari 330 P4; a compilation of my work at Callum Designs, where I had the great privilege of being an intern, I proposed concepts for the interior aftermarket parts of the Callum Skye. Finally, from my time at the RCA, an Alfa Romeo project envisioning the future of driver engagement.

“For me, cars, motorsport and the wider automotive industry have been lifelong and upon graduating, will be seeking to establish myself in the automotive world as a creative designer.”

Coventry University Sir William Lyons Automotive Design Award Winner Ed Hopkins

“I’ve always been obsessed with cars and driven by a passion for design and am currently in my final year of a Bachelor’s Degree in Automotive Design.

“The Hawka project began during my placement at Avant Design as a launch vehicle for a new brand. A beast born from the dirt, built for chaos and made for freedom. Having four seats shifts the experience from a solo pursuit to a shared adventure. Its design language draws inspiration from the power and precision of a diving hawk, with body surfaces and wing-inspired forms that express movement, tension, and intent. The exposed structure communicates honesty, durability and trust.

“I’m driven by an unshakable belief in the next generation of automotive design. Change is coming and I want to be part of it to ensure vehicles evoke emotion and leave a lasting impression, not just another product, but an experience.”

Wales Trinity St David University Automotive Design Award Winner Will Martin

“I’m in my second year studying Automotive and Transport Design at the University of Wales Trinity St David, and course representative for my year.

“Among my incredible course projects, my favourite has been my entry for the extra-curricular Autodesk AIF Competition, which allowed me to challenge and enhance my skills. We chose to blend the art movement of Brutalism with the Pontiac Aztek and I was privileged to be the team leader and responsible for designing the vehicle’s exterior concept. I experimented with sketching, storyboarding, and Photoshop renders before developing a complete NURBS exterior model in Alias and producing a VRed advertisement video to showcase the concept.

“I’ve truly found my passion and am excited for what comes next. Although I have much to learn, I am looking forward to gaining industry experience and my future aspiration is to be head of design at a prestigious automotive company.”