Malcolm Wilson, the managing director of Cumbrian motorsport firm M-Sport Ltd, has been awarded an OBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List. The 53-year-old has been honoured for his services to British motorsport which span a 30-year career.
Born and bred in Cumbria, Wilson has stayed true to his roots building Dovenby-based M-Sport from a small home-run business established in 1979 into one of the top motorsport development and engineering firms in the world. It now employs over 200 people at its state-of-the-art facility just outside Cockermouth.
As a driver, Wilson won two British national titles, competed successfully in the World Rally Championship and worked as a test driver for Ford before winning the British Rally Championship title in 1994. Since taking over as team principal of Ford’s World Rally Championship team in 1997 he has led them to two Manufacturer Championships and overseen 149 World Rally Championship podium finishes.
As well as his dedication to his local community, Wilson is also helping to foster the next generation of British rallying talent as he oversees the blossoming career of his son Matthew, currently the only British driver competing in the World Rally Championship.
The Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) is awarded for distinguished regional or country-wide roles in any field through achievement or service to the community.
In receiving this honour Wilson is following in the footsteps of many other luminaries from the world of motorsport who have been recognised in the past including Sir Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell and the late Colin McRae, who drove for Wilson’s Ford team in the World Rally Championship.
Honours Lists are published twice a year at New Year and in mid-June on the date of The Queen's official birthday. All honourees have been through a rigorous selection process overseen by Cabinet Office committees before their name is recommended to The Queen by the Prime Minister to be included in the Honours List. Wilson will receive the Honour later in the year.
Malcolm Wilson OBE said:
“I’ve had many memorable moments in my competitive career and with the Ford World Rally Team but opening the letter informing me of this award definitely surpasses all of those. I am immensely honoured to have been recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List and this really is the biggest achievement in my career.
“The OBE is a wonderful recognition of what we have built through M-Sport and I‘m extremely proud of everything that we all have achieved. But success does not come overnight and none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of my wife Elaine and my son Matthew.”
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Click here to read a biography of Malcolm Wilson OBE.
