Celebrating Our Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award

An honour five decades in the making, we are bursting with pride to announce that our founder and chairman, Paul Jaconelli, has been honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Used Car Awards 2024. 

For all of us at Romans International, this recognition of Paul's extraordinary contribution to the automotive industry feels like a celebration of our entire family.

Bursting with Pride

Those who were present at the awards ceremony, which was held at London’s iconic Brewery venue on Monday 25th November, witnessed what was a truly touching moment. 

The recipient of this award was kept top secret, so as the winner's career was being described, we watched Paul gradually realise they were talking about him – his hands starting to shake, emotion washing over his face. By the time he reached the stage, he was so moved he could barely speak. It's not often you see our usually composed chairman lost for words!

At 75 years young, Paul remains the beating heart of Romans International, arriving at the showroom every day with the same enthusiasm that has driven him since he first entered the motor trade once he left school. "I love the car business – I don't know anything else," he told the audience. Anyone who has met Paul knows just how genuine those words are.

Built on Family Foundations

What makes this achievement even more special is how Paul has always made Romans International feel like one big family. From the early days when his brothers Robert and Marc helped establish the foundations of our brand, to watching his sons Ben and Tom bring their own unique contributions to the business, family has always been at our core. 

Tom Jaconelli, now a director, has spent the last 13 years helping transform Romans into the powerhouse it is today, even becoming something of a YouTube sensation along the way! 

In fact, when Paul accepted his award, he was asked by host Mike Wheeler (star of TV’s Wheeler Dealers) what his greatest achievement in the industry has been. His answer paid tribute to Tom when he shared that there are too many highlights to pick from but his son makes him very proud.   

Our chairman's success has always been built on his belief in surrounding himself with good people and nurturing long-term loyalty. Many of our team members have been with us for over two decades – from our showroom staff to our crucial behind-the-scenes team. As Paul often says, "If you surround yourself with good people, you will get that loyalty back."

A Team Built on Trust

In a statement published on our Instagram page @romansinternational, Paul shared his absolute joy and honour at being recognised during the Used Car Awards, saying, “I am delighted and honoured to have received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I am filled with immense pride and gratitude, but this award does not belong to just me. It belongs to everyone at Romans, and to those who have worked with me throughout the journey that has got us here.

“To my Roman’s team, the hard work and dedication that you show, day in and day out, is second to none and continues to inspire me – and that isn’t just those you see in the showroom, there is a huge behind the scenes team too, many of whom have worked for me for over twenty years. Thank you to each and every one of them.

“And finally, I wouldn’t want to leave out the rest of my family, and in particular my wonderful wife Rusty, who lives the Romans brand every day and continues to motivate me.” 

Setting the Industry Standard

Car Dealer Magazine’s editor-in-chief, James Baggott, who is involved in organising the Used Car Awards, perhaps said it best when he declared that "Paul Jaconelli's impact on the automotive industry has been nothing short of extraordinary. 

“His dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence have set a gold standard for dealerships everywhere. It’s an absolute honour to recognise his contributions with this Lifetime Achievement Award, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this prestigious accolade.” 

Despite the challenges faced by the industry, including recent economic uncertainties, Romans International continues to thrive under Paul's guidance. His ethical approach to business and unwavering commitment to customer service have helped us maintain our position as one of the UK's leading luxury car specialists.

The Journey Continues

Paul's journey from a young boy dreaming of owning his own dealership to receiving this lifetime achievement award embodies everything we stand for at Romans International. His message – "Never give up, because if you believe in something enough you can make it happen" – continues to inspire everyone in our organisation.

This award isn't just a recognition of Paul's personal achievements; it's a testament to the values that have made Romans International what it is today. We're incredibly proud of our chairman, and we continue to work hard to ensure this is just another milestone in our ongoing story. 

So here's to Paul Jaconelli – our leader, our mentor, and now, officially, a legend in the automotive industry, we are all so very proud of you!