Ponteland businesswoman on the shortlist for two national awards
https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/business/ponteland-businesswoman-on-the-shortlist-for-two-national-awards-8952765
A Ponteland businesswoman has been named a finalist in two categories at the 2026 Women in Motor Industry Awards.
Ellessie Browne, who runs Meadowfield Auto Centre in Ponteland alongside her partner Stephen, has been shortlisted for both Independent Garage Owner of the Year (Women Led) and Business Owner of the Year.
The national awards, organised by Motor Trader, celebrate the achievements of women working throughout the UK automotive industry – with the winners due to be announced at an awards ceremony at Hilton London Bankside on December 2.
The latest recognition follows Ellessie’s success at the 2025 Women in Motor Industry Awards, where she won the Inspiring Returner Award.
She joined Meadowfield Auto Centre in 2020 after previously working within the BMW and MINI dealer network.
Since then, she has played an important role in the continued development of the independent garage that provides MOT testing, servicing, repairs, tyres and diagnostics to motorists throughout the local area.
Her career was interrupted following the birth of the couple’s son in 2022, when Ellessie suffered a serious CVST stroke just weeks later.
After a lengthy period of recovery, she returned to the business in late 2023 and has since continued to help develop and grow Meadowfield.
The two 2026 nominations recognise not only her personal journey, but her contribution as a business owner within an industry in which women remain significantly underrepresented.
Ellessie said: “To be shortlisted for two awards is a huge honour. Winning the Inspiring Returner Award last year meant an enormous amount to me, particularly because of everything that had happened before I returned to work.
“This year feels slightly different. These nominations are about what we’ve built and what I’m contributing to the business today, which makes them really special in a different way.
“We’re a small independent garage in Ponteland, so to be recognised alongside women and businesses from across the UK motor industry is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Meadowfield Auto Centre was established under its current ownership in 2016 and will celebrate its tenth anniversary later this year.